Image Comics has stumbled across another potential winner with new 6-issue series You’ll Do Bad Things from Tyler Boss and Adriano Turtulici.
Last month, Image Comics and Tiny Onion announced that writer Tyler Boss (Dead Dog’s Bite, What’s The Furthest Place From Here?) and Adriano Turtulici were teaming up for a horror series. “You’ll Do Bad Things” follows a once-famous true crime writer whose fictional tales become a reality when a serial killer strikes. Check out the official synopsis below:
In You’ll Do Bad Things, it’s been ten years since the release of He Came in with a Smile, the true crime smash hit that chronicled the brutal murders committed by the Nursery Rhyme Killer. But in the decade since its release, its author Seth Holms hasn’t produced another title. He wants to write a story with a happy ending, but every time his fingers clack across the keyboard it always ends in his character’s death. Worse yet? These tales of blood and barbarity that flow so freely from Seth’s mind are starting to happen in real life.
We recently had the chance to read issue #1 ahead of its March release. The comic is heavily inspired by Italian Giallo horror, while sharing similarities with Stephen King’s Misery. First off, I was instantly drawn in by the gorgeous art from Adriano Turtulici. The style presents a unique neon atmosphere, with such striking colours, which suits the story down to a tee. It’s a feast for the eyes!
The story itself is a gripping descent into darkness. It follows Seth, a struggling writer grappling with tight deadlines and an insidious writer’s block. After huge success a decade ago with his horror novel He Came in with a Smile, a story about child murders, Seth can’t seem to write anything else. The crux of his problem lies in his inability to craft stories with happy endings—his characters invariably find themselves entangled in dire situations. Why can’t he simply write a bit of romance?
One aspect of the comic that I particularly loved is the way the visualisations of Seth’s stories manifest within the art, beautifully complemented by classic text editor’s lettering. The page layout is exceptionally engaging and distinctive. The comic doesn’t hold back on gore when necessary, either. The depictions of violence and gore feel highly stylised and visceral. And the very intentional use of colours makes intense scenes arrive with a real pop.
Is “You’ll Do Bad Things” worth reading?
Something You’ll Do Bad Things does brilliantly is the combination of horror elements with a profound critique of the stark impact of true crime — one of the most popular genres in the world today. Issue #1 is an exciting start to this series. While in awe of the gorgeous aesthetics, the story feels slightly underdeveloped. Perhaps the comic would have benefited from an over-sized debut issue; it all feels just a little bit rushed.
Even so, Boss has only dipped his feet in the story in issue #1. It’s engaging enough to keep me eager to see how the story develops. Plus, I’m a huge fan of Boss’s work. The mere fact that he’s writing this comic is enough to keep me hyped.
You’ll Do Bad Things #1 releases digital and in select stores on March 26th.
Rating: 4/5
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