At first glance, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees may seem like a lighthearted children’s story, but scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll discover the twisted tale of a serial killer in a small town setting, complete with anthropomorphic animal characters.

Just like any other avid comic book reader, we are always on the hunt for unique, thought-provoking stories that make me feel as if I am journeying through a parallel universe. So, when I stumbled upon Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, I knew I had to dive right in and explore the world created by writer-artist Patrick Horvath.

The story revolves around Samantha Strong, an adorable and upstanding citizen of Woodbrook, a cozy town surrounded by forests and friendly animal folk. Sam is also a serial killer, who has created a thriving business and a comfortable life for herself while always sticking to her cardinal rule – not to murder the locals in her hometown.

However, when one of Woodbrook’s residents meets a gruesome and mysterious demise, Sam is faced with the challenge of stopping her rival before the town self-destructs and the Sheriff starts barking up the wrong tree. What follows is a twisted tale of murder, mystery, and intrigue as Sam navigates through the small town to uncover the truth.

One of the standout features of Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees is the unique way in which the story is presented. Horvath uses a tone that is reminiscent of a children’s storybook, complete with rhyming phrases and whimsical illustrations. However, as the story progresses, the tone changes, and the darker side of the story begins to reveal itself.

The artwork in this book is another aspect that holds your attention. The character designs are adorable and charming, making it easy to forget that they are murderous animals. The use of color is also noteworthy, with a warm and cozy palette of earthy tones that add to the setting’s charm and create a stark contrast to the gruesome events that unfold.

One of the things that I found most intriguing about this comic book was the way in which Horvath has managed to blend genres effortlessly. Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees could be described as a cross between Dexter and Richard Scarry’s Busy Town, which sounds like a strange combination, but it works. This book is dark and twisted, yet still has elements of light-heartedness and humor that make it an enjoyable read.

Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees is a gripping and unique addition to the comic book world. It’s a perfect example of how to take familiar ideas and combine them in a creative way to produce something fresh and new. Something we fell for with Stray Dogs by Tony Fleecs and Trish Forstner.

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 hits local comic shops on October 18, 2023 from IDW Publishing.