Advance Review Chucky #1 of 5

Chris Buchner: chrisb@215ink.com

Charles Lee Ray was a cold-blooded serial killer whose life was cut short by a Chicago detective one night in 1988. Dying in the toy store in which he was chased Ray used voodoo magic, of which he was practiced in, to transfer his essence into a nearby Good Guy Doll. That doll found its way into the hands of young Andy Barclay. The spell dictates the only way to become human again was for Ray to possess the body of the first person he revealed himself to; that being Andy. But, he failed, and the murderous rampage to get the boy was foiled. In that time, he has been burned, melted, chopped into bits and shot, but he always found a way to return. And now, Chucky's back.

The book starts off some time after the last in the series of Childs Play movies, Seed of Chucky, with a scene more appropriate for Jason than Chucky as the killer doll hacks and slashes his way through campers by the lake where his killing spree began decades ago. He's come back to his old stomping grounds and decides to take a little revenge on some old friends from Bride of Chucky: Jade, Jessie and Detective Preston.

Preston, meanwhile, has his own problems. Nobody took his ravings about a killer doll seriously and 10 years after that encounter he's being forced off the force. His colleagues make sure to let him know just how much they won't miss him and his psychosis. The ceremony goes off without a hitch, even Jessie comes by to offer his congratulations, Jade opting out this time.

Meanwhile Jade has her own memories about Chucky while listening to the radio about Preston's retirement. Jessie returns to their office and tries to help her shake off those memories and put them past her by focusing on their renewed relationship. The uneasiness is also felt at the Preston household, which is validated when Chucky makes his move and attacks. Chucky's back, and he's gonna celebrate it with blood.

The comic is definitely done in the typical style of modern horror movies and embodies many of the cliches, including at the very start with the horny co-eds being killed off while camping. What we don't get, however, is how Chucky reassembled himself after being hacked to bits by his offspring at the end of the last movie. Also, there's a sequence in the beginning slaughter that doesn't make any sense, as if it was printed out of order with repeating dialogue.

The action and dialogue pretty much kept true to the tone of the movie series from the last two sequels, setting up the story for the rest of the mini as Chucky begins a vengeance quest for those who wronged him. The artwork is excellent and fits the story, keeping it realistic enough to add to the movie feel. Fans of the movies should enjoy this book, as it works its way into the series and features many returning characters from prior installments.

For more information please visit Devils Due.

3 out of 5 Inks



  

04.17.07