In the world of comics, there are few narratives that manage to weave together my mythology, horror, and heavy metal, but The Creeping Below from Harvey and Eisner Award-winning, New York Times bestselling writer Brian Azzarello and acclaimed artist Vanesa Del Rey manage to do just that.
In nature there are gods older than the devil… Nothing can prepare you for what’s coming in this violent, electrifying descent into this bloody, black metal infused revenge saga. Val, an American metalhead attending a festival in Oslo, begins her penumbrous pilgrimage into the vast depths of vengeance. After her victimization at the hands of a charismatically vile local band, the Old Gods of Norse Mythology guide her along her path in the name of women everywhere. Will she walk a warrior’s path… or become a behemoth beyond human recognition?
In the debut issue of The Creeping Below the creative team immerses us in a the world of metal. Brian Azzarello’s storytelling prowess is evident as he crafts a universe that feels both deeply familiar yet eerily otherworldly. While the issue kicks off slowly but deliberately, setting up a series of events that are poised to explode in future issues.
While the story is wonderfully crafted and scripted by Azzarello, the true wonder of this comic is what lies in the artistic execution by Vanesa Del Rey. Vanesa’s illustration style may seem a bit messy or chaotic to some—it certainly did for me at times—but upon further reading, this apparent disorder complements the story’s dark ambiance perfectly. Del Rey’s artwork and Hilary Jenkins colors capture the raw intensity of the comic with the use of shadows and stark contrast heights the sense of impending doom. The horror seeps out on each and every page; you can almost feel the creeping unease.
A bright spot that is unique to this tale is the use of music. This blend of horror and music creates an experience that is almost synesthetic—you don’t just read The Creeping Below; you can almost hear it echoing in your mind like a relentless riff. This makes this tale a unique story in the world of comics right now.
The Creeping Below is a daring experiment that melds mythology, music, horror with modern-day angst that is rare in comics today. While its initial pacing might test your patience, both Azzarello’s intricate layers along with Del Rey’s and Jenkins’s artistry promise payoffs down the line. The Creeping Below is a great addition to the horror season.
The Creeping Below #1 hits local comic shops on October 2, 2024 from BOOM! Studios.
The Creeping Below #1 Preview
