Comics: Gravetrancers #3 - Reviewed




We review Gravetrancers #3
Gravetrancers is an outstanding grindhouse style horror series released by Black Mask Studios that is unique and certainly not for the faint of heart, pushing the the limits of violence and gore. In the first two issues, we were introduced to Maribel and Anthony, who were heading to the Malort Cemetery to visit their estranged father’s grave. Looking for some closure and resolution, they end up in the terrifying world of a sick, psychotic family that runs the cemetery. The family has developed an extremely addictive drug using human remains and the fresher the victim is, the stronger that the drug ecomes. The conclusion of issue 2 left things looking pretty dire for our main protagonists and police officer Valez. 

Written by Mark L. Miller (Pirouette), issue 3 sees the police arriving at the Malort Cemetery after Valez was able to successfully radio for help. What results is a showdown of epic proportions between this crazy Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque family and the police. It is something to behold, as the pacing is non-stop and chock-full of bloody mayhem and gore. Maribel looks for Anthony and Valez tries to survive this issue, but not everyone in this story, good or bad, is going to make it to the end. And that is what's so great about Gravetrancers, the survival odds are completely unknown for every character that exists in this world. 

As I stated in a previous review, the artwork from newcomer James Michael Whynot is simply superb, with very detailed and violent imagery that would likely impress Bernie Wrightson. It's stunning, scary, gross, and extremely intricate. Whynot uses a great deal of heavy black shading, along with intricate lines and crosshatching. The backgrounds and environments surrounding the characters are also highly detailed and you will easily find yourself reexamining every panel enjoying all of his work. The characters have an unusual, slightly unrealistic look to them that only adds to the level of creepiness, especially when it comes to the odd Malort family. The psychedelic drug-induced panels continue to impress and are wildly imaginative. 

Dee Cuniffe’s color palette further enhances the horror, surrealism, and psychedelic nature of the story. They consist of almost neon hues, the way that some colors might look under a black light. One particular panel that impressed had a figure surrounded by a cloud of smoke. The figure was completely cloaked in black, while purple and pink hues were used in the clouds to complement Whynot's incredibly detailed line work.

Gravetrancers is an excellent series that horror fans must get invested in. With a truly horrific story and creepy characters, amazing art, and unrelenting gore, this is slowly developing into a horror masterpiece. 

-RV