THE DEVIL TREE #1, from Blood Moon Comics on 6/14/23, recounts the real-life killing spree of a serial killer in the 1970s who offered up victims to a strange tree in the woods.
The Details
- Written by: Keith Rommel
- Art by: Wolfgang Schwandt
- Colors by: Kristal Sayers
- Letters by: Wolfgang Schwandt
- Cover art by: Wolfgang Schwandt
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: June 14, 2023
Is It Good?
THE DEVIL TREE #1 is an uneven but chilling dramatization of Florida’s first serial killer, Gerard John Schaefer, the preternatural tree connected to his killings, and the mysterious oddities surrounding the treet since Schaefer’s capture. If you like fiction stories based on true events with a Satanic theme, this one’s for you.
Keith Rommel’s story focuses on the titular Devil Tree, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Through a series of scenes and vignettes, we see how the tree “speaks” to people, urging them to commit horrific acts of violence. When an old fisherman discovers decomposed bodies buried at the base of the tree, the police begin an investigation to uncover how far back the tree’s evil influence stretches.
What’s great about this issue? The concept grabs you with a strong grip of dread when you realize this story is based on real events. The very idea that a tree could influence people to commit murder is the kind of dark legend that will give anyone the creeps. Better still, this issue serves as an excellent source of inspiration for folks who are into true crime and want to learn more about the case.
Second, Keith Rommel puts in the work to create dramatic tension (probably with some creative liberties) from nothing more than dry, historical facts. History isn’t always as exciting as we’d like, so it takes creative gusto to maintain the spirit of history while making the facts an entertaining read.
What’s not so great? The flow of the plot is rough. Rommel jumps from the past to the present and from one group of characters to the next without a clear focus. If you asked who is the main protagonist in this issue, it’s tough to tell. It feels like pieces of the story are placed together in a single comic with no obvious anchor to follow for the reader.
How’s the art? It’s okay, but the lack of tight figurework is a hindrance to the story. Since the comic lacks a clear protagonist (see above), you have to follow every character with equal focus. There are one or two spots, particularly among the police investigators, where you can’t tell who’s who because the linework is tight enough to keep the appearance of each character distinctive. To be clear, the art is serviceable, but it would help the story’s clarity if the art was better.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a flashback prologue wherein a mother enjoys a picnic with her two children by a river near an imposing tree. As the heat of the day wears on, the mother begins to hear voices coming from the tree. The voices grow in volume and intensity until she has no choice but to obey and kill herself and her children.
Years later, Jim, an old man fishing by the same river, is confounded by his empty basket. Deciding he needs to switch bait, Jim heads over to the same imposing tree to dig for worms. Jim’s digging soon uncovers much more than he wanted.
We conclude the issue with nosy reporters, oddly-shaped moss, and nagging housewives.
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Final Thoughts
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THE DEVIL TREE #1 recounts the horrifying murders of Florida’s first serial killer and the mysterious tree at the center of it all. The premise’s real-life origins give the issue an extra dimension of chills, and the story is interesting enough to keep following, but the issue lacks focus, and the art could be tighter.
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