Advance Review: Show's End #1 (of 5)

You know what there is a distinct lack off; between vampires, werewolves and variants of zombies; a classic Cirque-du-Freak monster style of book.Â Mad Cave Studios are looking to redress the balance somewhat, this August with the first issue of their new mini-series Show’s End.

Several months ago, a couple harbouring a monster finally come to an arrangement that almost suits both the mother and father.Â Steps are taken and words are broken and the monster is left to fend for itself.Â Enter the circus; full of mysteries, full of bright lights acting liking a candle to one little orphan girl who cannot help but be attracted to this world of life.Â Still, this is a freak show and no place for a “norm”, even with one with a darkness inside her.Â Though with much pleading, the girl, whose name is Lorayle becomes the newest two horse pooper-scooper in the troupe and before you know it, friends are made despite the fact that the circus lives in fear of retaliation from those who have little time for the group bar entertainment.Â When the killing of farm stock leads an angry mob to the big tent, a loss threatens to tear asunder all that the circus has tried to build up and reveal that in the dark, they are actually everyone’s biggest fears!

The book is written by Anthony Cleveland, who delivers a book that feels familiar in many ways, with this type of circus finding popularity in the TV shows Carnivale and a season of American Horror Story.Â This first issue, as you would expect, sets the table of what to expect, though it doesn’t take Cleveland long to start tugging on that tablecloth and sending the crockery tumbling.Â The dialogue has a dark feel to it; you can’t help but get drawn in.Â This then, is Cleveland’s strength, as by being pulled down the proverbial rabbit hole, the shocks that occur do feel like genuine shocks. It will be interesting to see how Cleveland’s writing develops once that “shock” device is used and becomes the norm.

Jef Sadzinski provides the art for the book.Â Sadzinski’s bio states, amongst others, Joe Madureira as an influence.Â Looking through the book, you can clearly see that in the character faces; big expressive eyes and round faces add to the emotional pull of the Lorayle and her journey into this bright, new world.Â The cartoon affectations do not dampen the horror element that pervades the book; in fact, hiding horror inÂ a fun environment somehow makes the horror that much worse.Â The strong lines of the character poses help them stand out from the ever present darkness that threatens to encompass them, regardless of said bright lights.Â This juxtaposition of colors is well crafted by colorist Julian Gonzalez, who also uses shadow placement well.Â Finally, letterer Justin Birch provides a very polished, if small, font.

All in this book was an enjoyable first issue; the revelations hold true reverberations which will intrigue readers down the line.Â Show’s End is yet another well crafted and produced book from a publisher that exudes quality.

Writing -Â 5 Stars
Art – 4.5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

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Show’s End #1 will hit comic book shops on Aug 7th.
Diamond Code: JUN191829

Written by; Anthony Cleveland
Art by; Jef Sadzinski
Colors by; Julian Gonzalez
Letters by; Justin Birch
Published by;Â Mad Cave Studios

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network