By Benjamin Morin — Twenty miles southeast of San Diego lies Proctor Valley Road. For all intents and purposes, it’s just an ordinary dirt trail; the stories that revolve around this trail, however, paint it as anything but. From bi-pedal wolves to bulls from hell to demonic headlights, all sorts of supernatural activity have been recorded here. Amidst this mythic landscape comes the new comic Proctor Valley Road #1. Created by Alex Child and comics legend Grant Morrison, they pair with artist Naomi Franquiz and colorist Tamra Bonvillain to deliver a fresh mixture of 1970s Americana with supernatural horror.

Set against the idyllic backdrop of ‘70s California, the narrative follows the misadventures of a mischievous group of young girls. Struggling to scrape enough money together for a concert, opportunity strikes when a group of guys becomes fascinated with the infamous Proctor Valley Road. With a loosely organized Ghost Tour and a group of unwitting newbies in tow, the girls get in over their heads when their trip turns out to be more than cheap scares.

One of the strongest aspects of this debut lies in the characters themselves. Child and Morrison revolve their tale around a fascinating cast that immediately draws one in. From the roguish August, the rebellious Jennie, to the meek Cora, each character’s traits develop organically from the narrative. They take the time to establish a unique voice for each heroine, without it feeling by-the-numbers. It becomes impressive that one issue can set up such a diverse and endearing group from the get-go.

The titular Proctor Valley Road setting also plays an integral role in the narrative as well. It becomes more than just a background, actively influencing our characters. The looming tensions of Vietnam and conscription function alongside the peace and love movement, all working together to create a palpable tension. Add to that a dash of the real-world mythos surrounding Proctor Valley Road, and one comes away with a fully-realized environment for this new book.

Another compelling aspect of this debut issue, of course, is the art. Franquiz imbues the whole book with an expressive style. Her character designs are charming and suited to each character. The use of paneling also works to great effect. The vast majority of page layouts utilize more of a “wide-screen” paneling style which gives the story a cinematic quality. Alongside this are Bonvillain’s exceptional colors. Her coloring tinges the narrative with vibrant hues that match the era. Her coloring works well in tandem with Franquiz and aids in bringing the characters and world to life.

One would be remiss to not mention Jim Campbell’s lettering too. His balloon layouts make for an easy reading experience. His talents particularly shine here with his creative depictions of onomatopoeias. From a well-crafted “BOOM” leaping out of the flames or a jagged “CRASH” of glass, Campbell’s letters add a distinct flair to the story.

While the supernatural aspect of the narrative feels somewhat run of the mill, the other aspects of the issue more than make up for it. Child and Morrison have crafted a believable world filled with endearing and captivating characters. With fully-realized visuals by the duo of Franquiz and Bonvillain, Proctor Valley Road #1 makes for an enjoyable debut.

Overall: Proctor Valley Road #1 offers a standard supernatural premise that’s set apart by its engaging cast and real-world creepy setting. 8.5/10

REVIEW: Proctor Valley Road #1

Proctor Valley Road #1
Writer: Alex Child & Grant Morrison
Artist: Naomi Franquiz
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Price: $3.99
Perfect for fans of Paper Girls and Die, visionary writer Grant Morrison (Klaus), Alex Child (BBC's Holby City) and Naomi Franquiz (Tales from Harrow County) present a chilling new horror series about the mysterious monsters that haunt Proctor Valley Road - and the four misfit teenagers who must stop them.
Release Date: March 10, 2021
Read It Digitally: Proctor Valley Road #1 via comiXology
Pre-Order the Trade: Proctor Valley Road Vol. 1

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Ben is a comic buff and film fanatic. A journalism major by day and a comic reviewer by night, he avidly consumes all forms of sequential art. On Twitter, he goes by @BiglikeBen.