Let This One Be a Devil is an exceptional blend of supernatural horror and historical enigma. Written by the award-winning comic creators James Tynion IV and Steve Foxe and brought to life by fantastic illustrations and colors by Piotr Kowalski and Brad Simpson respectively, this new True Weird story is a spine-tingling journey set in the eerie swamps of southern New Jersey.
In the early 1900s, Henry Naughton returns home to the family farm in the swampy Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. One night, he encounters a strange predator stalking the woods. This sends the young scholar on a research project that uncovers the legend of Mother Leeds and the terrible birth of the Jersey Devil in 1735.
Tynion and Foxe craft a tale that seamlessly weaves together real life tales of experiences and fiction, exploring the legendary origins of the Jersey Devil through the eyes of Henry Naughton, whose encounter with an unsettling creature spurs him into unraveling dark secrets buried deep within local lore. The atmospheric tension is felt from the very first page, drawing me into the world where every rustle in the foliage could signify something otherworldly. The creative team deftly balance facts rom real-world encounters with a fiction story thread that creates a tapestry that feels credible and fantastical. This ability to mix fact and fiction is done in a way that felt real.
While I was pull in by the plot and story of Let This One Be a Devil, Piotr Kowalski’s artwork deserves a ton of attention. Piotr’s illustrations capture not only physical details but also emotional nuances–the terror etched on characters’ faces or serene background juxtaposed against looming danger–each panel is handled with care that enhances the comics impact tenfold. Not to mention the perfect pairing of Kowalski’s artwork with Brad Simpsons colors. While the story can shine, the artwork steals the show.
Having worked together on many projects in the past, like The Department of Truth (where Foxe served as Editor), the creative team really proves how passion for a subject can bring a story to life. Tynion and Foxe breathe life into Let This One Be a Devil with their love for the cryptid and the true weird.
Let This One Be a Devil is a cryptic horror is truly unlike anything I have read recently. The debut issue from James Tynion IV, Steve Foxe, Piotor Kowalski, Brad Simpson and letterer Tom Napolitano captivated me from the very first page with this quick yet profound read. With many cryptid tales featuring the Jersey Devil exist across multiple different mediums, Let This One Be a Devil sets itself apart from the crowd. Tynion and Foxe truly have something special on their hands and have ensure the stakes are high for upcoming issues in the series.
Let This One Be a Devil #1 hits local comic shops on February 19, 2025 from Dark Horse.
Let This One Be a Devil #1 Preview
