Comic Review: I Hate This Place #1

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Kyle Starks

Artists: Artyom Topilin & Lee Loughridge

Letterer: Pat Brosseau

Kyle Starks is back with a new series published under Image Comics. This time, the creator is collaborating with Artyom Topilin, Lee Loughridge, and Pat Brosseau on a horror series that kind of combines every horror genre you can think of. I Hate This Place #1 is here.

I Hate This Place #1 focuses on Gabby and her partner Trudy as they move into a cattle ranch that Gabby inherited from her great aunt. Of course, the ranch isn’t what the characters expect, and before long they are dealing with ghosts, aliens, and even a psycho.

Starks does a fine job of establishing the relationship and personalities of the two protagonists. Both characters feel natural, while still falling into the tropes that one would expect from the genre in the best way. For example, after one harrowing event, you always think that the couple would just leave, but they don’t. Starks adequately explains why they need to stay, but it is still difficult to believe, though easy to forgive since its horror. 

The actual scares won’t keep readers awake at night, but will at least entertain. Topilin’s art suits the book well, as the creator draws the supernatural fantastically. The facial expressions are solid, making the horror more believable. The panel layouts are simple but effective, and keep the scares moving along at a good pace. Some transitions from panel to panel are a bit jarring though, as they can go from one scene to another quickly. They should feel more natural, but unfortunately aren’t working in this medium. It’s almost as if they would be more appropriate for film. Still, it doesn’t stop the book from being otherwise entertaining. 

Loughridge’s colors are superb, with palettes that consistently change with the tones and even genres of horror. Sickly greens fill the panels when zombies are around, while ominous oranges and reds soak the panels during a UFO moment. It’s a great example of using color to not only add depth to the art, but sway the reader’s emotions.

The lettering by Brosseau is mostly standard, but there are a few fun sound effects presented in a way that lends itself well to horror. It’s almost the cheesy kind that you would expect from B-Movies, with letters floating through panels in a fun font. It’s great for the atmosphere, even if it doesn’t add to the scares. 

I Hate This Place #1 is a strong debut, even if it isn’t particularly scary. The endearing characters and intriguing mystery are enough to make this series worth pulling.