HYDE STREET #13. The Butcher Shops Open.

*TRIGGER WARNING* THIS ISSUE COMIC PORTRAYS STRONG VIOLENCE AND PORTRAYALS OF TORTURE FEATURING A FEMALE CHARACTER.

The Butcher is on the loose, and the residents of Hyde Street are shaken to their core as he resumes his reign of terror against them. First on his list is Miss Goodbody, who will have anything but when he is through with his twisted games.

Creative Team: Geoff John’s, Brad Anderson, Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, and Rob Leigh.

The Story:

Has anybody seriously checked on Geoff John’s lately? Between this and Redcoat, that man has gone to some dark places and blown me away with the direction Hyde Street has now taken. Everything has been building up to this moment, The Butcher’s lore has been teased and hinted but, it seems our first true villain has made his gran entrance in shocking fashion. The way he writes the character and with incredible visual help from Rob’s lettering, the words flow from his mouth as though poison is being spewed across the panels. This issue transitions between indulging us into the backstory as to why this man is so vile and was locked away by the residents while he spends the issue torturing Miss Goodbody. Despite it all I fear we have only scratched the surface and John’s has more tricks in his bag ready to shock us with.

The Art:

The artwork is every ounce of intense as the cover promises it would be. I love how there are moments from Miss Goodbody where she shows intense fear, but there are moments where there is an intensity about her. The way the art team shades her facial features and draws her eyes shows a determination that stands out as she and The Butcher come face to face. Perhaps the most unsettling bit of this issue is how the team manages to keep The Butcher even-keeled, as though this is another day in the office for this monster. Like I mentioned, Rob’s lettering really shines in this issue, with the green bile falling from The Butcher’s mouth crafting a horrifying atmosphere.

Final Thoughts:

Hyde Street #13 sheds light on The Butcher as he wreaks havoc on the residents of Hyde Street while shrouding his motivations in more mystery. If this issue is any indication, things are about to get far more intense.

Overall Grade: 10/10

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