There’s nothing quite like the spine-tingling excitement of a horror film to keep someone on the edge of their seat, especially if it’s a slasher. BOOM! Studios’ Harrower #1 — written by Justin Jordan with artist Brahm Revel and letterer Pat Brosseau — aims to reinvent the genre by tackling a new kind of boogeyman. In this tale, the villain is a defender of morality whose one goal is to keep the town pure.
The issue introduces the reader to the residents of Barlowe, New York, and the Harrower, a terrifying local urban legend. This monster hates sinners, bringing down the scythe of justice on those who dare to veer from the path of righteousness. The main characters do everything they can to test whether this terrifying legend is real. The protagonist, Jessa, is slightly more cautious than her unruly group of friends. She is also dealing with a personal issue following the ten-year anniversary of a loved one’s death, though the circumstance surrounding their passing is never fully revealed. Things take a turn for the worse as the cast splits up, which is an invitation for disaster.
Jordan shows an astuteness when deconstructing slashers throughout Harrower #1. From the cagey dialogue between parents and children to the instantly dislikable boyfriend who could easily end up being the next Billy Loomis, it’s clear the writer is a passionate fan of the genre. However, the biggest twist is why the Harrower targets their victims. It’s still unclear who — or what — has appointed this boogeyman to be the supreme moral purveyor of Barlowe, but seeds are planted early on teasing where the series could go.
Revel’s artwork lures the reader into a false sense of security. When the teenagers are planning a party, the panels are bustling with youthful energy. The characters are surrounded by their peers and feel safe. The colors exude the same quality, using a bright color palette when everyone is grouped together. However, when things start to take a darker turn in Harrower #1, the isolation is presented perfectly in the panels. When the characters are split up, the shading is much darker, and there’s an ominous unease that builds on each page. Much like in a horror film, Brosseau’s lettering perfectly catches readers off guard with an unexpected creak or loud noise.
Slasher fans will gravitate towards Harrower #1 like Jason Voorhees does to summer camps. The story has only just begun, but there are plenty of twists and deviations from traditional slashers to keep new fans interested. Hollywood should be taking notes because the Harrower has all the hallmarks of being the next big horror movie monster.
