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Coming off the heels of an impressive debut with 2023’s “The Devil’s Cut”, DSTLRY looks to keep the momentum going with a monstrous new series. Combining the talents of James Tynion IV and Christian Ward, the upstart imprint has let the pair (along with Aditya Bidikar) loose with a ghost story for the ages. Mixing in elements of horror and social perception, SPECTREGRAPH is poised to stand out from the pack at the local comic shops.
With a debut this big and the creators involved, one review wouldn’t suffice. This is a Nerd initiative Comic Bullpen team-up! Matt (Assistant Editor/Hops Geek News) and yours truly (Ken – Nerd Initiative EIC/ODPH Podcast) are breaking down this long-awaited debut. *** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE WRITING!
KEN: the concept is a very engaging one. The beginning is set in 1967. A Man of wealth and class defies a cult with his belief about Ghosts. Jumping forward to 2024 and the slow burn build begins. This is a trademark of Tynion that few come close to. Janie is a complex and flawed character. She is a character that feels way over her head with what’s going on. Vesper is a complete opposite. The writing portrays her as cold and business-minded.
The plot from here goes in a few twists and turns. Vesper’s commitment to the house buyers. Janie’s ill attempts to return to her son. Both play huge roles as the story heads in the final act. From here, things get a bit hectic as the truth comes to light. The issue leaves fans with many questions as this story has only just begun to scratch surfaces.
MATT: Tynion adds to the gripping, slow fear that is building throughout this entire issue. He dominates the slow-burn style of writing. He does so expertly by giving us a taste of a cult and then showing us that every character within this comic has faults to a degree. Janie is a flawed character that you both feel sorry for while also having a deep anger and almost vile reaction to her actions regarding her child. Tynion also gives us a taste of the story without over playing his hand at the same time which is key to crafting a dark and frightening tale
HOW ABOUT THE ART AND LETTERING?
KEN: If you have ever read Batman: City Of Madness, you KNOW Ward can pull off some intense imagery in a horror setting. The opening pages build up the mystery as Ambrose Hall begins his tale. This is followed up with a unique use of panels per page. Ward leans into a 10-12 ranger for some pages. It explains the emotional pull of Janie and her actions. Readers can easily connect with what she’s done and its’ fallout.
The mysterious mansion gets a grand entrance with a gorgeous two page spread. The image screams wealth and prestige. It reflects Vesper’s groups interest in acquiring the house. From here, Ward and Bidikar bring out a mind-blowing third act. The visions witness dive into the horror aspect of the story. The closing pages amp things up a few notches before closing out the impressive debut. The final small panel will reflect most readers as they stare at their watches waiting for the next issue to drop.
MATT: Christian Ward is following up his superb Batman run with a creepy spectacle that has been long-hyped and lives up to it in every way. The way he shades and creates shadows with his characters and plays with the lighting of the panels within the pages is genuinely a clinic.
Blending the colors in a psychedelic way only Christian can do adds to the slow-building dread the reader feels throughout this story. There are even panels within the panels that create a full vision of the story being told and the dire needs of our characters. While we are unsure of the creatures within, we get a horrific scene of a dead being that does something that is hard to do in comics, and that is usher in a jump scare.
FINAL SCORES:
KEN: Mixing in true horror elements with human emotion, Spectregraph #1 leaves readers with a tremendous starting point for a bigger story. Tynion weaves in flawed characters in between a growing plot with superb writing. Ward adds in impressive visuals that bend reality into a haunting experience for the reader. It’s a debut that will have many fans talking at the comic shops when they pick this up. POINT: 9
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MATT: I am very much on board with this story already. Tynion and Ward might just be the comicbook version of Mahomes and Kelce with how incredible both creators are with their respective works. I cannot wait to grab the next issue as I need it immediately. Make sure this is on your radar we are in for something massive with DSTRLY. 9.5/10 Cigars.
