By d. emerson eddy — Basketful of Heads #1 is the launch book for DC's new horror imprint within Black Label comics. Dubbed Hill House Comics, this new line of horror stories is curated by Eisner & Stoker-award winning writer and co-creator of Locke & Key, Joe Hill.

While it opens with the absurd concept indicated by the title — a basket filled with heads, talking and arguing with one another — the set-up through the flashback is much more subdued. Set first back in 1983, we're introduced to a small tourist town in Maine and a temporary summer student officer and his girlfriend. Joe Hill does an incredible job of deftly developing all of the characters through dialogue and making us care about most of their quirks and futures. All while building the mounting mundane horror of escaped convicts on their way to Shawshank Prison.

Leomacs brings the characters and setting to life with his line art. His European style is perfect for the period and for horror, giving it a deceptively simple, timeless feel. I think it also helps that our main point of view character here so far, though surely the perspective will shift, reminds me of a young William Katt. I'm not sure if that's intentional, but it aids in the overall feel for the time period. Dave Stewart's colors enhance that period feel as well, with a muted scheme largely based around what almost looks like a Dijon mustard yellow-brown. It's an interesting choice for the bulk of the story, making it feel a little unsettling but also somewhat reassuring because it's basically the color of the police uniforms. 

Deron Bennett chooses a larger balloon and text-size for dialogue that's also consistent with the period. It echoes some of the lettering and sound effect approaches that appeared in the horror comics of the 1970s and 1980s, particularly the work of Gaspar Saladino, and it works perfectly for the overall feel of the comic. It's a wonderful use of actual design to help the atmosphere and flow of the storytelling.

There's also a four-page back-up story that begins a series that will run across all of the Hill House comics, “Sea Dogs”, which is a decidedly bloody monster of a tale set during the American Revolutionary War. Joe Hill, Dan McDaid, John Kalisz, and Wes Abbott kick off a tale of the Culper Ring's “John Bolton” unleashing what appears to be werewolves on the British. There's a very EC Comics feel about the story.

Overall, Basketful of Heads #1 is a great start, both for the new line of comics and as a story in its own right. Hill, Leomacs, Stewart, and Bennett deliver a thoroughly compelling beginning that is decidedly rooted in character. They focus first on the very real horrors that we can experience in every day life, while hinting at the more absurd that comes later. The added “Sea Dogs” back-up is just the black cherry icing on top. Don't miss this one.

Basketful of Heads #1
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Leomacs
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Publisher: Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label / Hill House Comics
Price: $3.99

Plus…

“Sea Dogs” - Chapter One
Writer: Joe Hill
Artist: Dan McDaid
Colorist: John Kalisz
Letterer: Wes Abbott

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d. emerson eddy is a student and writer of things. He fell in love with comics during Moore, Bissette, & Totleben's run on Swamp Thing and it has been a torrid affair ever since. His madness typically manifests itself on Twitter @93418.