"Vincent Price Presents" Issue #18 Review
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In stores and retailers now, is Bluewater Productions "Vincent Price Presents", issue #18. This issue, which was written by Mark Simon and Ferran Sellares, follows a man named Danior, who in some far off back-in-times, alterate universe, has been accused of the crime of witchcraft. Thus, he is set to be tortured for his alleged "crimes", unless he doles out a full admission of them. Problem is, he's innocent, but his captors won't hear any of it. While locked away in the dungeon however, Danior is visited by a "friend", who comes in an unusual form, to offer him a way out. Will Danior take it? And if so, what price will he ultimately have to pay? This issue in many ways, is reminiscent of the "Masters Of Horror" season 1 episode "Dreams In The Witch House". |
Although they both are different in many ways, the comic and the aforementioned episode of "MOH", do share some similarities as well. Mostly in regards to the offer that's made to the main character, and in what form the entity making the offer takes on to try and convince their target to accept their deal. The issue is wonderfully drawn, and captures the overall look, feel, and ways of the old medieval days. Not a very difficult era to draw if you're an artist, but to capture the overtones and feel of that era within a comic, is very difficult to do, and only very excellent artists are able to pull that off.
The story itself is an interesting one, and hinges on the old tale of a man in peril, and how desperate will he get in his situation before he makes or turns away a deal from a dark force, that could have lingering repercussions for the rest of his life? A story that's been told many times before, but works in "Vincent Price Presents" #18 because of it's fluidity and tight plot arc. The story doesn't get sidetracked, or lose itself in toomuch exposition. It sticks with the meat of things, and doesn't get too caught up or lost in the details or many side stories and subplots that it could've just as easily focused on. Although some might find the comics final few pages, where Danior makes his decision, a bit too quick of a run through, for such an important decision, that the main character is burdened with, I felt the story did what it set out to do in the length alloted, and captured the desperation of the character of Danior quite well.
Being accused of something you didn't do is one of the worst feelings imaginable. And many people if put into a situation where they are forced to confess to crimes they have not committed, in roder to possibly gain freedom, or a pause from torture or even death, have no idea what they would or wouldn't do if all of a sudden, a supernatural being showed up and offered them a reprisal from it all. This all leads to a finale for the story where what happens is expected at first, but the final repercussion of everything comes as a bit of a shock at the same time. "Vincent Price Presents" #18 is a great read, especially for those who are into stories involving fate, innocent-accused, and life-altering decisions, and their effects on the past, present, and future.
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