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Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #2

Fear not my fellow Acolytes of Darkness, our covens chant has been heard. After a six month hiatus our favorite teenage witch is back. When we last left off, two lustful witches from Riverdale had inadvertently unleashed something wicked from the deepest pits of hell. Returned to this world, Madam Satan, the Queen of Gehenna, has a rather personal bone to pick with the Spellman clan. The sins of the father have come back to seek revenge by any means necessary. Greendale, and all those that inhabit this cursed town, will never be the same.

This second issue builds upon the creepy atmosphere established by the first. The art, by Robert Hack, evokes classic horror on every page. His attention to detail is remarkable, giving us both subtle and overt nods to classic horror media, from the campy to the blood curdling. His color choices call to mind films from the 60s/70s, highly appropriate for a book set in that time. The art also has a distinct texture, reminiscent of an old painting. (One you might assume to be haunted!) These decisions only reinforce what is clearly a love letter to horror in all it’s forms. Embracing the genre, Hack does not shy away from the gruesome or the gory, on the contrary, this book seems to revel in it. But Hack’s masterful eye makes sure it is never gratuitous.

The pacing of the story is slow and deliberate, like any good horror story. Fear is a compounded feeling and it’s clear Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa understands this. Another fan of horror, Roberto’s story harnesses and twists classic tropes. He also manages to interweave popular songs of the time into the stories, elevating the ongoing narrative with clever allusions and juxtaposing horror with sweet songs of youth. (While also creating the opportunity for us to compile one hell of a playlist!) Roberto handles the characterizations of these classic figures perfectly while slanting them subtly and carefully toward all out horror versions of themselves, giving us a peek at the true darkness that lies beneath these beloved characters.

This book marks the launch of Archie Comic’s newest (and for me, most anticipated) imprint to date: Archie Horror. Be sure to check out the series that started it all, Afterlife with Archie written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and illustrated by Francesco Francavilla. Also check out Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 before reading this weeks release.

May 6th will mark the release of Afterlife with Archie #8 – an homage to the Shining. After that, Archie Comics has teased that a third unnamed title is set to join the ranks of its critically acclaimed horror titles. Roberto has said there are hints in Afterlife with Archie…so get reading and attempt to divine the future.

[Read Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #2 on comiXology]

Michael is a big fan of all things horror and Sabrina…so this book (and imprint) is something of a nightmare come true. He couldn’t be happier…except if today was also Halloween.