It’s been some time since the original Creepshow entertained and terrified audiences in theaters by channeling the spirit of old-school horror comics. Now, with Image Comics’ latest adaptation of the cult-favorite, Creepshow #1 finally delivers the tie-in comic the franchise has needed for some time.
Creepshow began life as a film collaboration between two icons of horror, with The Living Dead franchise’s George A. Romero serving as director and the script being penned by famed horror novelist Stephen King. Creepshow was created as an homage to the horror titles put out by EC Comics such as Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror and, like the books it was honoring, was an anthology featuring six horror tales. The movie was enough of a hit to have several sequels produced, as well as a show for the horror-focused streaming service Shudder. But aside from a comic adaptation of the first film, there’s never been a proper tie-in comic to Creepshow.
Until now, that is, with Image and Skybound’s Creepshow #1, the first in a five-issue miniseries that promises the same perturbing imagery and gallows humor so prominent with the franchise’s other entries. True to the horror anthology nature of Creepshow, the first issue contains two tales of twisted terror. Written and drawn by Chris Burnham is “Take One”, a Halloween tale about three malcontent trick-or-treaters who run afoul of a vengeful spirit after not obeying the rules of All Hallow’s Eve. The second story is “Shingo” by writers Paul Dini and Stephen Langford and artist John McCrea. An overworked mom hires a mysterious children’s entertainer for her daughter’s birthday party, only for the festivities to take a gruesome turn. All the while, Creepshow’s resident host, the Creep, introduces and bridges the stories with his usual acerbic patter.
As far as horror anthology comics go, Creepshow absolutely knocks it out of the park with its first issue. Burnham brings his A-game with “Take One”, both with his writing and art to craft a tale sinister tale with just the right amount of morbid humor. “Shingo” is a bit more on the comedy side, but Dini and Langford deliver a story that hits also manages to disturb, as well as entertain (no doubt thanks to the demented life McCrea gives the titular Shingo).
Fans of either the movie or the television show who read Creepshow #1 are going to wonder why this property hasn’t had a comic adaption before. The entire franchise was built on the foundations EC helped build so long ago, and with horror comics experiencing a resurgence of popularity, a book like Creepshow has been a no-brainer for some time. Thankfully, Creepshow #1 rectifies the biggest missed opportunity with a tie-in title that brings the franchise to the medium that’s been waiting for it for decades. Horror fans in need of thrills, laughs and all around creepiness owe it to themselves to pick up a copy of Creepshow #1 immediately.
