Who doesn’t love a good horror story? Especially one that delves into the minds of the slasher monsters we all know and fear. That’s exactly what the Kyle Starks and Piotr Kowalski miniseries, Where Monsters Lie, does. It takes us to the gated community of Wilmhurst, where slasher monsters relax in-between their murder sprees. And when they get the call to go out and kill again, all hell breaks loose.

First and foremost, the writing by Kyle Starks (I Hate This Place, Peacemaker Tries Hard) is nothing short of genius. While he is already known for his art, he proves that he is also an amazing writer. He seamlessly weaves the plot together, captivating the reader’s attention right from the get-go. The brutal imagery in the first few pages is just the tip of the iceberg. Throughout the book, there are wonderfully awesome kills that will shock and awe any horror fan.

The art by Piotr Kowalski (The Karman Line, Satan’s Swarm) is also outstanding. His horror style compliments the story perfectly. The use of rough lines, the monster designs, and the gore are all incredibly well done. Kowalski has a way of capturing the essence of horror and using that to his advantage, making each page more horrifying than the last.

Another aspect that makes Where Monsters Lie stand out is the unique killers with great backstories. You won’t find any generic slasher monsters in this comic book. Each one has its own unique history that makes them all the more terrifying. It’s refreshing to see a horror story that doesn’t solely rely on cliches and instead focuses on creating a new and exciting world for readers to get lost in.

The four-issue series is the perfect length, but readers will undoubtedly be left wanting more. The ending of the series leaves things open-ended, giving hope that there may be a continuation in the future. Let’s hope that editor Daniel Chabon and Dark Horse Comics feels the same way.

Where Monsters Lie is a unique and engaging horror story that any horror fan will love. Kyle Starks’ writing combined with Piotr Kowalski’s art make for an intense, brutal, and entertaining read. The uniqueness of each killer adds to the story and makes it stand out from other comics on the shelves. Where Monsters Lie is definitely in contention for comic of the year.

The collected edition of Where Monsters Lie, collecting the four-issues miniseries, hits bookstores everywhere on October 3, 2023 and local comic shops on October 4.