NAILBITER Volume 1 (issues 1-5)

Nailbiter
Vol 1
There Will Be Blood
 
Story by Joshua Williamson
Art by Mike Henderson
Colors by Adam Guzowski
Letters & Book Design by John J. Hill
Edited by Rob Levin
 
NAILBITER created by Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson
 
I originally was going to review this one issue at a time.  I decided to go by volume instead because I don’t want to spoil anything for readers.  I did post a review of the first issue which you can find HERE.
 
I was immediately captivated by this series.  I finally got time to read more than just a few pages and I was not disappointed.  
 
Here’s a recap of my first issue review:
 
1. 
A town named Buckaroo in Oregon where an unprecedented number of serial killers have been born

2. 
A guy named Eliot Carroll is investigating Buckaroo trying to figure out why so many serial killers come from this town (it’s not just something in the water okay people?)

3. 
Another guy named Nicholas Finch, an NSA Intelligence officer that’s on suspended leave pending investigation because he went off the rails while interrogating a suspect during a case

4. 
One of the many serial killers from Buckaroo, a group aptly named “The Buckaroo Butchers”, they call him The Nailbiter.  Buckaroo Butcher #16.  His name is Edward Charles Warren.  His big thing was to kidnap men and women who bit their nails, hold them captive until their nails grew back, and then bite them off himself, along with their fingers down to the bone, before killing them.  Approximately 46 victims in California.  

5. 
Sheriff Shannon Crane, dated Warren The Nailbiter in high school.  The town won’t seem to let her forget that.  She’s been working with Carroll on the serial killer mystery aspect of the town.

6. 
Teen rebel Alice, always talking smack, can take care of herself for the most part but, definitely going to end up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 
 
In the midst of all this dramatic and emotional action brewing, real physical action is happening all over town.  In the next four issues, there are two murders, a missing person, two fires, and a lot of suspicious behavior.  There is something happening on almost every page.  This series is not one that has a lot of useless filler content.  There is a constant progression of the story without any dull or boring spots.  And there is plenty of plot to follow.  Not only are seemingly unrelated people turning up dead but Eliot Carroll has gone missing.  Emotions are frazzled, tensions are high and frustration mounts with each new lead ending up being a dead end.
 
So far this series is a real page-turner.  The idea of the story is a fantastic one in itself but the plot is really brought to life with well-written characters and excellent artwork.   The artwork is a little on the more modern and geometric side.  It goes well with the sharp storyline and the distinct personalities and attitudes of the characters.  There is definitely what I consider a muted color palette.  The only real bright pop of color is the splash or splatter of blood in some scenes.
 
This volume contains issues one through five.  I believe there are six volumes in total.  I will be reading volume two very soon and posting the review for that.  I think this is going to be an excellent series to read.  
 
RATINGS
Overall 5/5
Artwork 5/5
Story 5/5