Reviewed by Will Cooling
Title: Angelfire
Written by Chris Blythe
Art by Steve Parkhouse
Coloured by Chris Blythe
Lettered by Steve Parkhouse
Published by Shattered Frames
I’ve come to the conclusion that comics as a medium really struggle when it comes to horror. I mean if you look at it objectively they’re bound to, after all they lack the chorus of sounds that film directors can use to hint that there’s something evil round the corner. So no eerie music, or abrupt silences, bumps in the dark or brooding thunder storms. Worse because comics are a visual medium the writer can not get you to imagine these sounds like a prose writer can. So in comics the writer/artist are left with just pictures on a page when it comes to trying to scare the living daylights out of you and that’s not the most terrifying arsenal in the world.
The result of this is that most “horror” comics are more “occult fantasy” than out and out horror due to the simple fact that aren’t scary in the least. Now there’s nothing wrong with that but sometimes there’s nothing better than having something giving you that sick feeling in you stomach after its finished. Thankfully, Chris Blythe and Steve Parkhouse give you that same sick feeling with their self-published original graphic novel Angelfire. It stars a small time gangster named John who when we see him is on top of the world after he and his friend Zee had complete a highly lucrative deal for his boss. Then he takes the drug Angelfire and slowly but surely his live unravels as he hurtles ever closer to the abyss. As a subplot it constantly shows flashbacks of a nun, a priest and a horrific event that happened centuries ago.
Chris Blythe’s writing is top notch as he steps up from doing the odd (excellent) Future Shock to a full-length story. Blythe has a good grasp of developing the horror as he piece by piece dismantles John’s life brick by brick. Blythe starts with John at his highest point as he takes his reward from his boss of Angelfire, a drug that literally allows the use to taste heaven. As his addiction spirals out of control and sinister forces gather in the shadow he follows the classic hubris-nemesis from arrogant ecstasy to abject disaster. Blythe writes this main plot with great skill as he builds John up to be a three-dimensional character and manages to get you to sympathise with his plight partly due to Blythe’s excellent dialogue that has a realistic, unflashy quality to it. He is equally good at developing the subplot of the flashbacks with their very fragmentation and obliqueness building the tension up considerably especially as they become ever more violent. However, Blythe really excels himself when he weaves these two together as he brings the story to a close with a fantastic, jaw dropping twist that he executes perfectly.
Of course the execution of the story is helped by having the ever-excellent Steve Parkhouse on art duties. Parkhouse’ scratchy, messy pencils are perfect for developing a tense mood as he proves equally adept at the supernatural aspects of the story (his angels are gorgeous) and the more everyday imagery. What’s more his combination with Chris Blythe is a joy to watch, with Blythe giving the art that extra life and energy with his brilliant colours. There are also some brilliant “effects” including the way that the flashback scenes are given a lighter hint and the tremendous hell/demon scenes. Whilst the addition of colour does make it slightly less scary it makes a far superior comic with the action just leaping off the page.
This is an excellent read with Blythe showing himself to be a superb writer whilst Parkhouse excels as per usual on art. Whilst there isn’t much here that any horror fan hasn’t seen before (yep there is a haunted castle) even the oldest cliché is done with such aplomb that you’re still left shocked and surprised. This graphic novel combines visceral horror with some intelligent writing that provides a story that never talks down to its reader and isn’t afraid to stray from the beaten path. An engrossing story that bodes well for the newly formed Shattered Frames.
A big thank you to Daedalus Studios for providing me with materials for this review. You can learn more about they’re upcoming projects and order Angelfire by visiting their website
