Comic Review: Bedtime Games #1

Bedtime Games #1

Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Nick Keller

Artist: Conor Nolan

When looking at the upcoming releases, I saw the cover for Bedtime Games from Dark Horse, and as soon as I saw it I got a Tales From The Crypt/EC Comics vibe… I was immediately sold. In my mind, the cautionary schlocky B-horror tale is the best the entire horror genre has to offer. The characters are usually colorful, the dialogue is ludicrously over the top, and most importantly it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Nothing takes me out of a story faster than something with an extremely silly premise that tries to be sincere. Screw Paranormal Activity, I’ll take Cat’s Eye any day of the week. I’m extremely happy to report, that my assumptions about this comic were pretty dead on, but with a bit of a twist: this comic actually has a heart.

It’s a very straightforward story: three teens at a private school are hanging out, up to no good. They become aware of a weird occult-looking door right outside of school grounds and make it their mission to investigate. Each of these teens has something heavy weighing on them, either a past horror or something currently eating away at them, which is explored in-depth in this issue. But while going around in the tunnel they end up waking some sort of ancient evil (Mr.Bedtime) that will, in all probability, wreak havoc on the town. I know I’m being pretty vague for the most part, but the exposition and backstories are really important to this issue, and I really wouldn’t want to ruin that. The reveal of the ancient evil being stirred from its slumber could be telegraphed at a certain point, but it doesn’t really matter, because the ride there is so fun.

Issue one of Bedtime Games is a spooky slam dunk. The dialogue between the three teens is genuinely hysterical. They act in the way three bored teenagers would act in an episode of Tales From the Crypt: dumb, timid, naive, and hysterically ridiculous. That is immediately heightened by the tragedies they have had in the past, and they show a side of them that immediately adds heft to the insanity. You’ll find yourself caring for who you thought were stereotypical idiot high schooler, and it will tug at your emotion box a little. Nick Keller is definitely a writer to keep an eye out for. Conor Nolan nails the strange detailed sketchy style of horror comics of old while keeping it very kinetic and slick… it’s genuinely something to behold. Nolan’s art is HIGHLY complemented by Kelly Fitzpatrick’s colors. The plant life and scenery around the evil mystery door is so lush and bright, then juxtaposed with the dark brown coloring of being in the tunnel.

For what it’s worth, Bedtime Games is an amazing first installment to a 4-issue miniseries. You know pretty much everything about the characters by the end of it, and all the stakes are pretty much established. And on top of the amazing dialogue and top-notch art, I’d have to say Bedtime Games from Darkhorse is a must-buy for anybody who enjoys themselves some good ol’ fashioned horror.