Jumpscare by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Danny Luckert is a wonderful blend of the feeling you get from a big-two comic with what you’d expect in a indy comic lending itself to a unique reading experience.
In a world rife with crime, horror, and bloodshed, Jumpscare is the hero we deserve! Strong, fast, violent, and able to conjure any weapon from any horror movie she’s seen (and she’s seen a LOT of horror movies), Jumpscare hacks her way through ne’er-do-wells and monsters alike. Not only is she the bloodiest hero of Empire City–she is the most popular! No wonder her enemies want her dead.
Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert give us a debut issue that jumps out with a bang–or rather, a slash—as Jupmscare swiftly emerges onto the scene of Empire City, leaving a trail of bewildered enemies in her wake. Bunn’s narrative ingeniously pays homage to genre staples while pushing creative boundaries along the way. Cullen, known for his horror, blends his love for the genre with the superhero genre making this debut particularly compelling.
Bunn has crafted more than just another vigilante story with Jumpscare; he offers us a complex character who is not just a new superhero, but a love letter to slasher horror stories–using horror movies as a main plot point. As someone who loves his horror films as well as his big-two comics, Jumpscare is a fun and exhilarating experience that is unlike most comics of 2025.
Paired up with Bunn is artist Danny Lukert–the same creative duo to bring us Beyond Mortal. Luckert elevates Jumpscare into what only can be described as visual poetry that is saturated with gore and beauty alike. Luckert truly brings the premiere issue to life with each panel intricately detailed, capturing the visceral energy required for such unique storytelling. Whether it’s Jumpscare’s action-packed slashing or the grimy streets she prowls, Luckert ensures every illustration pulsates with life–or death. Each page is a visual masterpiece in of itself.
In addition to Luckert’s outstanding illustration, the layout design draws you into each page. It serves as a guide to allow us a more fluid reading experience. The design, illustrations, colors, and Joshua Reed’s lettering gives us a truly immersive reading experience.
Jumpscare is rooted firmly within the Beyond Mortal‘s expanding universe–while also independently standing on its own. This duality makes it accessible whether you have already jumped into Beyond Mortal or stepping freshly into the universe.
Jumpscare by Cullen Bunn and Danny Luckert is a beautiful and unique tale. The captivating story and visually stunning illustrations start the miniseries off just right, drawing us into the Beyond Mortal world. Our protagonist is a truly unique character that blends horror and the superhero genre into one amazing experience.
Jumpscare #1 hits local comic shops on February 26, 2025 from Dark Horse.
Jumpscare #1 Preview
