Why You Should Read SPREAD
As comic fans, we all know what Marvel and DC are up to. Whether you like it or not, they're the biggest names in the medium and it's tough not to be aware of what new titles they're releasing or what big events they're generating. In our "Why You Should Read" segment, we've certainly recommended a good amount of story arcs from the two publishers and they continue to produce several titles we adore. But what about the other publishers? Sure, we do our best to review as many books as possible, but sometimes there's a comic book that deserves a little more love. SPREAD happens to be one of those comics and we're going to do our best to explain why it's worthy of your time and money.
If you're not a fan of the horror genre, this just won't be for you and hopefully we'll appeal to you with another recommendation later on. As for everyone else? It's time to see why you should give Justin Jordan, Kyle Strahm and Felipe Sobreiro's Image series a chance.
SPREAD introduces readers to a gruesome and frightening world. Years ago, humans dug a little too deep and creatures now known as "The Spread" began to slither across the planet. These nightmarish beings seem pretty heavily inspired by John Carpenter's The Thing (a must watch if you like the horror genre). They can take the form of a person before tendrils, claws, and so much more begins to spill out of their bodies and they turn into a horrifying monster. Or, they can be a giant mass of disgusting parts and chase people down in the woods. The book is only three issues in and we've seen other versions of the Spread, too. Inside a quarantine zone, a man named No -- a mostly silent badass with an ax -- has stumbled upon something that could possibly save humanity from this apocalyptic and gross world: a baby, one which will go by the name "Hope." Yeah, Marvel fans will see this draws parallels to Cable's recent stories, but the great thing about SPREAD is it draws a lot of inspiration from a lot of different narratives, yet it still comes off as unique, exciting, and completely engrossing.
If you've read Justin Jordan's other work with Image (LUTHER STRODE, DEAD BODY ROAD), then you know the writer doesn't hold back. When it comes to the handling of the scares and the action, there's no filter and he delivers plenty of jaw-droppers. It's haunting, graphic, and a pure delight for horror fans. Other stories may build up the tension and then hit you with one scare, but SPREAD keeps the dangers of this twisted world coming. Whether it's seeing a new way the Spread can send a chill down your spine or the way civilization has adapted to this dark scenario, the terror is relentless. I mean, in the very first issue we see tendrils explode out of a man's eye and they attempt to bite No. It's like the Xenomorph's infamous tongue but worse and flailing out of a dude's eyes. No then has to slice them apart with his weapon and struggle for his life. How horrifying is that? And again, that's just the first issue!
Jordan clearly has no problem with the horror and action scenes, but he's also doing a terrific job creating a gripping narrative. No is a man of few words, so when he does speak, it really allows the moment to make more of an impact (be it a laugh or a threat). As stated above, the book is taking a lot of familiar elements, but having Hope narrate from the future counters No's limited dialogue. Now, she's not spewing exposition or making the book a little too dialogue heavy; it's just enough to give us a proper handle on what's going on and why. As more and more of this messed up world begins to unfold, Jordan's populating it with plenty of interesting elements. Not only do we see more and more of what the Spread can do, but we're also seeing how how society has changed in the quarantine zone (there's at least two big groups of humans the the intrigue continues to grow with the Spread). And we're of course left wondering whether No can indeed change the status quo and what'll happen as Hope ages.
It's a book that's mostly focused on intense and dramatic beats, but it's not purely stern, either. In the latest issue, Jordan had the opportunity to throw in some laughs and it really paid off. The horror was still thriving and he continued to expand the mythos, but a few comedic beats never hurt anyone. The horror and action genres are front and center, but this is proof that he has no problem changing up the formula just a bit as we explore more and more of this post-apocalyptic environment.
Artist Kyle Strahm and colorist Felipe Sobreiro do a frighteningly excellent job immersing us in this unnerving and nasty setting. The Spread comes to life with such ferocity and energy and the work on their disturbing bodies is extremely impressive. If you stare at these things long enough and appreciate just how cinematic the work is, it's very possible they'll invade your dreams. It's a brutal and ugly world and Strahm and Felipe do a ridiculously good job embracing the horrifying and violent tone. Tendrils slither about, sharp and jagged teeth populate bodies, and humans look every bit as beatdown or deranged as they should. It's a hideous place and these two go above and beyond to make that perfectly clear.
SPREAD is horror story that's obviously inspired by several great stories, yet it still manages to feel like its own exciting and completely terrifying adventure. The visuals deliver the perfect atmosphere and the script is full of intriguing developments as we watch what this world has to offer and how it takes a toll on its inhabitants. For the "too long; didn't read" crowd: It's basically The Thing meets The Last of Us and yes, it's every bit as awesome as that sounds. Horror fans, we strongly recommend giving this series a shot. Oh, and the best news of all? The first three issues are only $1.99 over at ComiXology.
Are you going to give SPREAD a chance or are you already reading it? Tell the world what you think about this series in the comments section below.
Related Articles
