A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE #7, from Mad Cave Studios on 7/12/23, continues the simmering descent into madness when Monica’s part in Dylan’s death reveals the killer’s interest in Nick.
The Details
- Written by: Cullen Bunn
- Art by: Andrea Mutti
- Colors by: Andrea Mutti
- Letters by: Rus Wooton
- Cover art by: Andrea Mutti
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 12th, 2023
Is It Good?
Perhaps ‘simmering’ isn’t the right word. A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE #7 is more like a very gentle warming that gets very close to simmering but stops short by half a degree. There’s no doubt that Cullen Bunn is a master at creating an atmosphere of dread and anxiousness, but if you’re not a fan of overly-decompressed storytelling, it might be better to wait for the trade.
When last we left Nick, he found Monica among Dylan’s bloody remains. Monica was forced to dissect Dylan while he was still alive and screaming. Now, the sheriff arrives to take Nick into custody after Monica relays the killer’s message that Nick is key to the killer’s plans. Now, Nick questions his responsibility in the killings while his circle of friends pulls away from him for safety.
What’s great about this issue? Bunn, again, masterfully creates an atmosphere of uncomfortable dread and unsettling fear. The killer could strike anywhere and anytime, but there isn’t a clear method to the killer’s madness, intentions, or way to avoid him. It’s as if Nick and the victims are slowly being dragged to an inevitable fate.
What’s not so great about this issue? When you peel back the layers of the atmosphere, not much happens in this issue. Monica is arrested, and Nick suffers unsettling visions/nightmares, and that’s about it. Bunn’s story is designed to be a 12-issue maxi-series, but it’s clear that there aren’t twelve issues worth of story to tell. If you like a very, very, very slow-burn story so you can feel every moment and emotion in minute, drawn-out detail, the plot progression is fine. For everyone else who wants to remember a comic for more than a vague sense of discomfort, this issue may be unsatisfying.
How’s the art? Andrea Mutti’s loose, unkempt style is a perfect fit for this story. The grime and blood add to Bunn’s uncomfortable script, so where Mutti’s style wouldn’t work in a superhero comic, it complements Bunn to a tee.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE #6 review to find out how Monica became the instrument of Dylan’s death.
We begin with Nick and his friends trying to console Monica as she teeters on the edge of shock. The killer forced Monica to cut Dylan to pieces while he was alive and screaming. Soon, the Sheriff follows the trail of blood and enters the room to find the bloody scene. The Sheriff draws his gun and takes Monica into custody.
Later, Nick stares at the Unit 371 portrait photo and has bad dreams about the unit’s purpose. He wakes up shaken. Meanwhile, the Sheriff gives Monica a wet towel to get cleaned up. We conclude the issue with motivations and a visitor.
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Final Thoughts
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A LEGACY OF VIOLENCE #7 envelops readers with a disturbing air of dread and madness. However, Bunn is taking a very, very, very slow train to wherever this story is headed. Andrea Mutti’s art adds to the creepiness with filth, grime, and blood, so this comic looks uncomfortable and feels uncomfortable, but not much happens.
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