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Devil’s Cut: SPECTREGRAPH – A Heist of Horrors

Seth A. Romo
9/10

Devil’s Cut: SPECTREGRAPH

Author(s): James Tynion IV

Artist(s): Christian Ward

Colorist(s): Christian Ward

Letterer: Aditya Bidikar

Publisher: DSTLRY

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Published Date: 08/30/2023

By Seth A. Romo

 on 

Recap

The Devil's Cut is your introduction to DSTLRY, a new publisher redefining creator-owned comics. In the aging process, the whiskey that evaporates is called the Angel's Share. But the most potent spirits are captured in the wood-the Devil's Cut.

This is The Devil's Cut-unfiltered stories from the most fearless creators, offering a distinct taste of the quality to come. 88 oversized pages printed on premium paper, featuring a flight of high-proof work from our Founding Creators including Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Tula Lotay, Mirka Andolfo, Jock, Becky Cloonan, Brian Azzarello, Marc Bernardin, Elsa Charretier, Lee Garbett, Joelle Jones, Stephanie Phillips, Ram V, Jamie McKelvie, Junko Mizuno  and friends including Francesco Francavilla, Ariela Kristantina, Eduardo Risso, Christian Ward, and more. Edited by the legendary Will Dennis.

Review

Spectregraph begins in a smoke filled bar that engulfs almost every panel on the first page. It’s 1981 and readers are introduced to two mysterious men—one the puppeteer and the other the puppet—and within 10 panels there are two themes of this comic: ghost stories and heists.

Written by James Tynion IV, this story is creepy and combines familiar themes for a well balanced story. It takes place over five pages, but the writing is strong and gives the readers enough to anticipate the larger elements at play.

Christian Ward’s art works incredibly well—especially given the tonal shift at the climax of this story. As mentioned before, this comic is a ghost story and a heist story, and the art lends itself well to balancing the two themes when necessary. Aditya Bidikar’s lettering is superb and shift with the art enhancing the terror within this short story.

Final Thoughts

Spectregraph is a well-balanced short comic that gives enough to entice readers without completely revealing the larger story. In classic Tynion fashion, there’s world building, horror, and a great art to match the writing.

Devil’s Cut: SPECTREGRAPH – A Heist of Horrors
  • Writing - 9/10
    9/10
  • Storyline - 9/10
    9/10
  • Art - 9/10
    9/10
  • Color - 9/10
    9/10
  • Cover Art - 9/10
    9/10
9/10
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