First published back in September of 1992, issue nineteen of Epic Comics’ serial adaptation of Clive Barker’s ‘Nightbreed’ sported the subtitle ‘Skeletons Loosed From The Closet’.
The first four issues of the ‘Nightbreed’ comics closely followed the storyline of the film, only slightly veering away from it with minor details. The twenty-one issues that followed continued on with the Nightbreed legacy – creating whole new spin-off storylines that would eventually bring in aspects from some of Barker’s other work.
This issue formed the second instalment in the ‘Hunters & Trophies’ three part mini-series.
DLS Synopsis:
The Breed were out for revenge. Having one of their own slaughtered had sent them into a fury. Peloquin recognised the scent of the snow beast which they now surrounded. It was the very same scent that had saturated the scene of the crime. The scene of his mate’s bloodspill.
But the beast was tougher than they thought. Even Peloquin couldn’t bring it down. However, it had no desire for a fight. It would rather talk. Explain what had happened. Defend itself with words not claws.
It introduced itself as Jonathan Giry. One of three werewolves residing in Stubsville. The beast swore that he had been keeping his savage side in check. But Erik Rothchild was feral. Uncontrollable. It was Erik who was responsible for the death of Peloquin’s mate, as well as Brian McDougal – the rogue member of the breed they had come in search of.
However, with Brian dead, the Nightbreed now had what they came for. They could return to seeking out a new sanctuary. Although Peloquin wasn’t happy about this. He wanted vengeance. Even with a hunter after them.
They’d track down Erik and bring the beast to justice. Nightbreed justice. Justice in accordance with Baphomet’s law…
DLS Review:
Writer Gregory Wright returns with his second instalment in his ‘Hunters & Trophies’ three part mini-series…and again it’s another action-rich and nail-bitingly intense offering.
The comic gets straight underway with a tooth-and-claw scrap between the Nighbreed and the huge snow werewolf – Jonathan. Even within these first few pages the delivery of the continuing story, coupled with Jonathan’s introduction, is intense and instantly engaging.
Wright throws in a whisper of a backstory about the three werewolves over two-and-a-bit pages. Although the backstory’s told via some disappointingly out-of-character ‘cartoonish’ artwork – its inclusion does finally fill in the majority of the gaps in the story. We now know why this huge white-furred werewolf was bounding through the snow hot on the heels of the savage beast that had slaughtered Peloquin’s mate. And we now know about the connection between the two werewolves and Brian McDougal.
The story’s plot chugs along at a fair old pace during this second instalment. Now that the reader’s properly clued in on what’s going on, the real fight can commence. In fact Wright wastes no time in getting the rip-roaring vengeance-soaked storyline underway – kick-starting with the naturals getting stuck in with some ‘beast hunting’ of their own.
Everything’s now set up for a colossal finale to play out. Bring it on…
The comic runs for a total of 28 pages (plus an additional page for the usual ‘Breeding Ground’ readers’ letters).
© DLS Reviews
