Hack/Slash 15th Anniversary Special

5/14/2020

Hack/Slash 15th Anniversary Issue (see below for preview images)

Hack/Slash 15th Anniversary Special
Cover A by Tyler Walpole
Cover B by Tim Seely and Carlos Badilla

This issue was a multi-story issue, having three different stories, and funny joke comic section and some very cool extras.

Story #1
“Your Darlings Kill You”
Written by Tom Seely
Drawn by Dan Leister
Colors by Carlos Alberto Moreno Diaz (p.1-10), Andrew Dahlhouse (11-20)
Letters by Crank!

This story starts out at a Comicon and goes from there.  It has murder, blood, gore, action, violence and fantastic sarcasm.  The story itself is good as well.  But it definitely read very well.  It involves Cassie and a villain that wants to replace her.

Story #2
“Abyss”
Written and Lettered by Brian Crowley
Art by Jules Shapiro

This story was short.  A quick read and almost sad.  Cassie is chilling with Vlad.  She’s asking her friend to kill her when she is ready to die.  I was like, “WTF?”.  How depressing are we trying to get here.  Geez.

Story #3
“System Ready”
Written by Sam Eggleston
Art by Jay A. Defoy
Colors by Addison Duke
Letters by Crank!

This was my favorite story out of the three.  It had the best comedic value.  There was plenty of fabulous bloody gore and action.  A quick read with perfect set ups for dirty jokes and dark humor.  Cassie and Vlad are a dynamic pair in this story.

“Random Facts”
Compiled by Jeff Bohn and Gregory Ellner
Deign by Crank!

This is a collection of random facts about the Hack/Slash series.  There’s always interesting stuff in those kinds of things.

“Timeline”
Compiled by Gregory Ellner
Design by Crank!

This is a timeline from the first Hack/Slash publication through the years up to current, showing special editions and collections, etc.

“Shit My Vlad Says”
Compiled by Jeff Bohn
Design by Crank!

This was a funny section.  It’s a section of illustrated Vlad-isms.  It’s really short and it’s great for a laugh.

Overall, this was a great special issue.  There were good stories and even better sarcastic and dark humor.  The artwork varies but overall, it’s good.  The artwork for the first and third story is the best.  The second story, I’m sorry, it just kind of makes you want to jump off a cliff, especially in the current global and national situation.  That’s why I preferred the humor.  Story two got all serious and dark.  It was like an illustrated Emo journal entry in the middle of a comic book.

This one, I have to say, you really are only probably going to like it if you already read Hack/Slash.  It was a slightly more expensive issue than a regular monthly release issue.  Still, if you’re a fan, you should check this out.

RATINGS
Overall 4/5
Artwork 3.5/5
Story 4.5/5