From the creators of the Materials universe writer Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard comes yest another entry in their world of quirky serial killers, but this time with a twist in Narco #1. Featuring Dave Stewart on colors and lettering from Ed Dukeshire, this opening issue offers a unique take on Wagner and Hillyard’s usual murderous fare – but sparing none of the gruesome charm we’re used to from their work. With a fun yet intense script and vivid visual work, Narco is another must-read for fans of the Materials universe and of the slasher genre as a whole.
“Marcus Wesphal blacks out from the slightest surge of excitement—a narcoleptic curse that’s kept him quiet, calm, and locked away at home. But when he witnesses the girl next door’s murder and collapses, he wakes to find himself the prime suspect. Now Marcus has one chance to clear his name: outrun his failing body, reconstruct the moments he lost, and hunt a killer before he blacks out again… possibly for good.”
Writing & Plot
Doug Wagner has a gift for crafting darkly comedic and weirdly fun scripts for the Materials universe, and he continues that trend with his writing on Narco #1. However, unlike most of the other Materials stories – consisting of Plastic and its prequel Plastic: Death & Dolls, Vinyl, Plush, and I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer – Narco’s protagonist is not a serial killer. Rather, he just hosts a blog harassing conspiracy theorists who obsess over serial killers. He also, in a great choice of character hook, tends to pass out when he gets overly excited. That latter detail is the narrative beat that really makes this comic pop, as it adds both a unique character ripple to Marcus and it racks the tension up to eleven. Wagner’s core character writing here is tight and naturalistic, with solid dialogue and overhead narration that never feels too heavy. This is a breezy script where the tense moments hit especially hard considering how casual the rest of the book feels. The final pages of the book have a perfect slasher movie-feel to them, with one of the best cliffhangers in an opening I’ve read in some time. Wagner has penned one of his most memorable issues with this opening chapter of Narco.
Art Direction
The most alluring aspect of the Materials universe outside of the delightful darkness of the storytelling has always been Danial Hillyard’s phenomenal visual work. This trend continues in the pages of Narco #1. Hillyard’s character animation is some of the best in the business. Every person in every panel feels so alive and is given so much personality through facial detail and body language, which can make whatever happens to them that much more tragic – or hilarious. Hillyard’s sequential direction is just as solid, as his choices in panels and how to frame each moment makes each scene in this book memorable. Each tiny detail is captured and feels important, and every interaction feels genuine and special – which again, can make the serial killer elements feel that much more urgent. Dave Stewart’s color art work’s perfectly for the comic, with his sort of flat palette bathing every panel is a sense of inescapable eeriness. The darkness of a park plate at night and the unsettling glow of apartment lighting make up much of this comic, making the reading experience feel that much more like a horror film. The lettering from Ed Dukeshire is dynamic and fits in with the book’s art direction well, especially his blood-curdling SFX work. Due to the relative calm (yet tense) tone of most of the comic, Dukeshire’s blood-red SFX letters work almost like a jump scare. Overall, Narco is another visually excellent addition to the Materials universe.
Verdict
Narco #1 is another great chapter in the Materials universe and to slasher comics as a whole. Doug Wagner’s script is a blast to read, offering a unique take on his own usual brand of comedic horror with stellar character work and one hell of a cliffhanger. The visual work from Daniel Hillyard and Dave Stewart is brilliantly detailed and animated, making for a reading experience that nails the feel of this comic and the Materials comics as a whole. Be sure to preorder this opening chapter before FOC on February 9th, then get ready for when it hits shelves on March 4th!
