Summary
- Night of the Ghoul #1 is a rare treat for fans who enjoy classic horror films, as it offers a fresh take on gothic expressionism.
- Scott Snyder has a proven track record with horror comics that is on full display in Night of the Ghoul.
- Francisco Francavilla's dark and moody artwork creates an oppressive atmosphere that calls back to a wide array of horror movies.
As much as scary decorations and costumes have become Halloween traditions, people also love to watch horror movies in anticipation of the day. While howling werewolf transformations and gory demonic possessions are fan favorites, there is still a niche interest in gothic expressionism and classic monster films. Comics have a legacy of embracing old-school horror as period pieces, but once in a while, a story comes along that tries to break the mold. The Night of the Ghoul miniseries is a rare treat for comic fans feeling nostalgic for a bygone era as they count down the days to Halloween.
With Scott Snyder serving as the scribe and Francesco Francavilla being the force behind the artwork, Night of the Ghoul #1 is a cycle of mystery and horror that keeps feeding the other perpetually. When an old horror movie leads a father-son duo's search for the filmmaker to a hospice, they have no idea of the life-changing nature of their journey.
Night Of The Ghoul #1 Tells The Story Through A Horror Movie
From the beginning, Night of the Ghoul #1 cryptically warns its readers that there are fates worse than death. It opens at a retirement home where two innocent lives get entangled in a web of conspiracy and nameless dread. Forest Innman is an avid horror movie cinephile who has got his hands on a copy of the single greatest horror masterpiece made by a man named T.F. Merrit. His obsession drives him to make the pilgrimage to meet this forgotten filmmaker.
It is not the ingredients but the way in which the issue cooks the suspense that creates the haunting. Night of the Ghoul #1 never shows the titular terror in its full glory. Rather, it interjects the narrative with a restored black-and-white film like broken pieces of a puzzle. The story transports the reader to the tumultuous era of World War I, and there, in that war-torn backdrop of a gothic castle, a horrible fate awaits those brave or foolish enough to tread on the ghoul's path. As the present asks the question and the past muddies the answer, the real horror catches the audience off guard in the midst of the excitement of watching an 8mm reel play out. Those who wander into the thick of the plot must prepare themselves for the cold touch of the ghoul. And the ones who are looking for a casual read may unwittingly find themselves sucked into an enthralling tale of a living nightmare that bestows its horrors not only on those in the panels but also on those on this side of the book.
Night Of The Ghoul #1 Paves The Way For An Ancient Horror
Night of the Ghoul #1 begins with the makings of a psychological thriller until the issue starts showing its true colors. Writer Scott Snyder's slow burner approach keeps anyone who comes across this book in the dark. Ironically, Francisco Francavilla's heavy inking and restricted palette are why the darkness seems so everpresent in the panels. From the long unlit corridors to underexposed rooms with dim lighting, the long shadows stalk the characters, ready to pounce at any minute. The book slowly forays into atmospheric horror, with the fomenting suspense of the narrative building up the tension. Snyder does everything in his power to create a false sense of security, leaving the job of jump scaring unsuspecting readers on Francavilla. From moment to moment, the issue either suddenly opens on the burnt face of Merrit or shows silhouettes of people disappearing just as soon as they appear. It is not until the final pages that the supernatural antagonist shows itself, and a paralyzing fear takes hold of those who meet its gaze. Suddenly, the issue has something genuinely scary on its hands.
The suspense takes precedence over the horror for the bulk of the issue as the reader is left to search for the unknown, much like the protagonist. Night of the Ghoul #1 is not without its cliches. It revisits most of the horror tropes, such as the hospital setting, to create claustrophobic panels. These themes certainly have the hallmarks of a horror comic. But where it really shines is in the way the past finds a foothold in the story as a simple movie, whose dominion over the plot and the characters' lives are far-reaching. The sepia tones of the film reel with sprocket holes and burnt edges add to the aesthetic choice of the flashback scenes. Night of the Ghoul 's progression into creature horror thus comes via the hands of a war horror movie, which almost feels like found footage from wartime that has resurfaced. Yet, despite the several genres the story tries to meander through, it works with the plot, with the flashback footages being the perfect device to deliver exposition and dread to the readers.
Night Of The Ghoul #1 Is A Love Letter Classic Horror Movies
Since the day humanity invented motion pictures, their imagination has explored the dark depths of the world through horror. Night of the Ghoul #1 is an ode to all the classic movies that have inspired generations of creatives. One can see the influences of Universal horror films in the fake movie posters of Night of the Ghoul with its creepy topography, high contrast colors, and the ominous shadow of the ghoul. Even the choice of the era harkens back to the golden age of black-and-white films, where monsters took centerstage. The protagonist, Forest Innman, acts as a proxy for fans of the genre who have seen the cultural impact of such movies on the current cinematic landscape. Snyder and Francavilla's Night of the Ghoul finds a way to go back to basics without having to sacrifice the modernity and freedom of storytelling that comics have as a medium. It is for this reason that 20th Century Studios recently acquired the screen rights to the book with some big names attached to the project. Although comic book movies are nothing new, it is ironic how things have come full circle.
Night of the Ghoul #1 lives up to its name. With the first issue setting the premise of a tragic past, the remainder of the book gradually unveils the true nature of the beast. The fate of the Innmans now hangs in balance, thanks to one man's curiosity for a long-forgotten classic. However, it is difficult to totally blame him. Snyder portrays fans and their passion with their favorite media perfectly, presenting a cautionary tale of the dark side of fandom that also serves as a horrific masterpiece.