BOOM! Studios smash horror anthology series Hello Darkness has returned with six more tales to make your skin crawl. Butterflies, cameras, monsters, and war are some of the things on the menu for this issue.

Hello Darkness #5

Edited By David Mariotte & Bryce Carlson – Published By BOOM! Studios

***Minor Spoilers Possible***

The Butterfly Field

Written By Jeremy Bastian – Art By Ziyan Qiu – Colors By James Fenner

The Butterfly Field tells the story of two young girls playing in a field full of butterflies. When they are bitten by said butterflies nobody thinks anything about it. However, as time goes on the girls seem to be more effected by the butterfly bites.

The art in this story is very beautiful and is reminiscent of Disney illustrations. Even when the story gets dark the art stays beautiful.

SIKTC: A Monster Hunter Walks Into a Bar Part 3

Written By James Tynion IV – Art By Werther Dell’edera – Colors By Miquel Muerto – Letters By Andworld Design

Next up is the third installment of the SIKTC side story A Monster Hunter Walks Into a Bar. Erica Slaughter is still sitting at the bar as the towns folk are still speculating on the recent child murders. One says it’s albino wolves that no one but the kids can see. Well another person claims it’s UFO’s and aliens.

James Tynion’s SIKTC side story is a fun and realistic take on what townspeople would speculate on if this really happened. The build up for what’s coming next has built quite a bit of suspense. Plus, the art is the familiar art we all love from SIKTC.

Shutter

Written By Sarah Gailey – Art By Liana Kangas – Colors By Rebecca Nalty – Letters By Jodie Troutman

Shutter is next on deck. Ellie and Winter are on a road trip in an R.V going through the dessert. Ellie leaves the R.V to photo something and when she returns she is completely frazzled. By the next morning something is definitely not right. Will love conquer all or will they both succumb to whatever is going on?

This story has a lot of heart and tells of unrequited love. Throughout this story we have love story that weaves through the mystery. The art is also spectacular and gives a Thelma & Louise feel.

The Search

By Sarah Andersen

in The Search, a young boy goes missing in the woods where he was playing with his sister. The sister never gives up hope and continues to search for her brother. When she thinks she’s found him, the plot thickens and the real horror begins.

This story reads like a poem, and moves along very fluidly. The art gives a childish innocence vibe and matches the story perfectly.

Check Out My Review of Hello Darkness #4

The War, Part Five

Written By Garth Ennis – Art By Becky Cloonan – Colors By Tamra Bonvillain – Letters By Pat Brosseau

Finally, we have arrived at the next installment of The War. In this part we follow the married couple as they have escaped into the country side after the nuclear attack on the U.S. Thankfully the cabin they ran to was stocked up by preppers. Through the birth of their child and all of his obsessiveness about politics, it has driven a wedge between them. But that wedge is the least of their current problem.

This story is a perfect slow burn every issue. The more that gets revealed, the more mystery occurs. As the suspense in the story rises, so doesn’t the divide between the characters.

Final Thoughts

Hello Darkness #5 takes some chances, and for the most part they pay off. It is still one of the books that I look forward to every month. It’s always a fun and good read. Definitely worth picking up at your LCS.

Final Grade: 8/10

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