Issues: The Crazies 1-4
Writers: Joshua Hale Fialkov, Ivan Brandon, Mark Andreyko, Brian Reed
Artists: Rahsan Ekedal, Jon Buran, Chris Dibari, Hugo Petrus, Vincent Spencer
Letters: Troy Peteri (all)
Covers: Ben Templesmith (1,2,4) Jeffrey Spokes (3)
Publisher: Top Cow Productions
Release Date: February 2010
Pages: 32 (combined)
Price: $2.99 (each)
“The exclusive four-issue prequel to the upcoming blockbuster
horror film THE CRAZIES from Overture Films begins here. Meet Rory
Hamill, aka ‘Patient Zero’, the first victim of a pathogenic rage that
will change the world as we know it. Something is wrong with the water
supply in Hopman Bog and the ramifications are lethal for all involved.
Can a simple farmer stand in the way of a biological terror the likes
of which have never been seen before? The results will not be for the
squeamish.“
Issue #1, “Hopman Bog” - 3.0 out of 5.0
This is the one issue that took me a little bit to get into. It had a
shaky start to it but found its legs and then kinda of took off. While
story wise, it was not as appealing as the rest it was one of the
stronger issues art wise. I did like how the story built up throughout
but I guess I just didn’t buy the main character going crazy as well as
I did in the others.
Issue #2 , “Dwyer Creek” – 3.5 out 5.0
I enjoyed this issue, it was easily number 2 on my list. I found the
writing on this one to be the most intense. You had great dialogue
between the main character and his crazy side as they slowly became
one. I really enjoyed turning each page as the story just kept building
and building to a strong finish. Art wise though, I found this issue to
be kinda to be one of the weaker ones. That is not to say the art was
bad, it was good, but just in comparison it just was not as good as the
others.
Issue #3, “Black Pond” - 3.0 out of 5.0
I was debating on this one whether it should be 3rd or 4th out of the
issues. If it wasn’t for the stronger ending I don’t think I would rank
it higher than issue #1. The writing in this one isn’t too bad, I like
how you can see him going crazy as he starts to see things. Even two
characters from issue #2 make a brief cameo. The artwork in this issue
is nice but nothing spectacular. Just another okay issue.
Issue #4, “Ogden Marsh” - 4.0 out of 5.0
That brings us to the final and strongest issue of the set. This issue
was simply the most fun of the four. If I were at the comic shop, based
on the cover alone I would have grabbed this one. The interior art play
well with the storyline. The story here isn’t really deep, but just
full of sheer crazy antics. Then, even though I kind of saw it coming,
the end was just done right. Easily the best issue.
Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5.0
Overall this is a fun group of books. I was kinda wondering
why all four issues came out on the same day though. I saw that
originally 1 & 2 were supposed to come out a week before 3 & 4
but even that seems odd. If you ask me a trade would have been the
right way to go. Each issue had a unique story and artwork. That aside
though I suggest if you have to get them wait for the trade or just
grab issue #4.
