Skip to main content

REVIEW: 'Invasive' #1 by Cullen Bunn, Jesus Hervas, and Dan Jackson

INVASIVE #1

Writer: Cullen Bunn

Artist: Jesus Hervas, Dan Jackson

Letters: Taylor Esposito

Publisher: Oni Press

Release Date: December 6, 2023

Cover Price: $4.99

Beyond excess, beyond ethics, beyond science . . . Enter a terrifying new experiment in pain from Eisner Award nominee Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Basilisk) and acclaimed illustrator Jesus Hervás (The Empty Man)! Dr. Carrie Reynolds was a veteran trauma surgeon with a godlike mastery of muscle and bone. But outside the operating room, her rigidly ordered life spiraled into chaos when her daughter, Heather-a recovering plastic surgery addict-suddenly disappeared, only to mysteriously reemerge in a catatonic state, her vocal cords removed . . . the latest in a series of victims scarred by a battery of brazenly cruel medical procedures that have baffled police and left an alarming number of once-ordinary citizens maimed, mutilated, or dead on arrival. Deep beneath the streets of Carrie's city, a new kind of underground hospital has just opened its doors . . . and, once inside, there are no rules, no oaths, and no taboos too deep not to be broken. A new class of surgeon has sworn to pierce the final threshold of accepted medical orthodoxy one incision at a time. The scalpel is their tool. The alleys are their operating theater. Murder is their medicine. And only Carrie can stop what they're planning next . . . 

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Creepy, disturbing, suspenseful, and hard-to-look-at all describe Cullen Bunn's newest horror title, 'Invasive' and I'm sure Bunn wouldn't want it any other way. This body horror series from Oni Press takes a more sinister twist on a real-life issue, plastic surgery addiction. If anyone has watched 'Botched,' some people can't get enough surgical procedures to try and "fix" some perceived imperfection. Countless botched surgeries have to be corrected. The result is a ravaged body and an unhealthy mental disposition. But what if an underground surgeon exploited these people's insecurities or just flat-out kidnapped victims to experiment on or even kill them? That's the premise of 'Invasive.'

The mother of one of the victims whose daughter remains catatonic after her vocal cords were removed, Dr. Carrie Reynolds holds a support group for plastic surgery addicts. She is determined to find this monstrous surgeon and stop him. 'Invasive' has the perfect blend of body horror, mystery, suspense, and tension. It'll raise the hair on your skin and ask questions through the end. An effective thriller that will have readers coming back. 

Jesus Hervas and Dan Jackson create such a dark landscape where even the daylight seems angry and foreboding. There are shadowy corners everywhere invoking the cinematographer of a David Fincher film but much more sinister. Eerie hallways, a dilapidated abandoned hospital, scary costumed figures, and of course, the grotesque and gory body horror all just ramp up the tension throughout this visually unnerving issue. 

'Invasive' is some of Bunn's best work in an opening series that is sure to thrill horror fans. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Aliens & Humans Make Forbidden Contact In Graphic Novel STAR-CROSSED

 First Contact Evolves Into An Interstellar Romance In An Epic Sci-Fi Adventure This February 2024 Internationally renowned publisher Humanoids announced today STAR-CROSSED , a brand new original sci-fi graphic novel from highly acclaimed writer Jerry Frissen and artist Roberto Zaghi, about an impossible interstellar romance set in the near future where humanity has made contact with an alien civilization. Landing in stores February 2024.  The dawn of a new era for humanity has arrived. First contact has been made with an advanced alien species known as the Eo’Tarx, and the two civilizations begin the path toward understanding. CIA linguist Danko Orton is dispatched, tasked with studying communication with the Eo’Tarx alongside his alien counterpart No’mi.  But their work is quickly disrupted when it becomes clear that the two are attracted to one another, despite all barriers and obstacles. Will No’mi and Danko’s blossoming love compromise everything they’ve...

REVIEW: 'Little Monsters' #1 by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen

  LITTLE MONSTERS #1 Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Dustin Nguyen Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: March 9, 2022 Cover Price: $3.99 They are the last children on Earth... who also happen to be vampires. For longer than they can remember, these child vampires have lived a life of eternal wonder amongst the ruins of humanity. But shocking events fracture the group and set them on a path of discovery that will shatter their innocence forever. Score: ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) There are certain comic book creators whose books I'll pick up without hesitation. One of those creators is Jeff Lemire. He instills confidence knowing that his stories will be thoughtful and engaging. You add a talented artist like Dustin Nguyen on another collaborative effort and well, 'Little Monsters,' is a must-buy. I know, shocking.   They team up again with an intriguing post-apocalyptic vampire tale featuring "the last children on Earth" who've been left to their own devices among the ruin...

REVIEW: 'Primordial' #1 by Jeff Lemire, Andrea Sorrentino, and Dave Stewart

Mind-bending sci-fi collides with Cold War thriller in this six-issue miniseries by the bestselling and Eisner-winning creative team behind GIDEON FALLS! PRIMORDIAL #1 Writer: Jeff Lemire Artist: Andrea Sorrentino, Dave Stewart Letterer: Steve Wands Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: September 15, 2021 Cover Price: $3.99 In 1957, the USSR launched the dog, Laika, into Earth's orbit. Two years later, the USA responded with two monkeys, Able and Baker. These animals never returned. But, unbeknownst to everyone, they did not die in orbit...they were taken. And now they are coming home. Score:  ★★★★1/2 (4.5/5) Few things can pique the interest of a comic book reader like a good ole conspiracy thriller. The latest example is the excellent new series from James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds entitled 'The Department of Truth' that's been a bestseller for Image Comics. It proposes conspiracy theories can be all-too-real and for Jeff Lemire, Andrea Sorrentino, and Dave St...