Filthy Lambs #1 Review – Horror In The Grimaldi Mansion

Filthy Lambs #1 (Mad Cave Studios, 10/21/26): Writer Pallie Paul Allor & artist Chris Evenhuis visit the Girmaldi family on a dark and stormy night as they prepare a sacrificial ritual to ensure their wealth and power. Pallie Paul Allor’s horror story mixes Lovecraft and Poe for a potent tale. Verdict: There’s a lot to like here.

• Writer: Pallie Paul Allor
• Artist: Chris Evenhuis
• Colorist: Sjan Weijers
• Letterer: Pallie Paul Allor
• Cover Artist: Chris Evenhuis (cover A)
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: October 21, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 34
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Filthy Lambs #1:

First Impressions:

I went into Filthy Lambs #1 completely cold, so every page turn was a complete mystery. I’m happy to say that this first issue starts strong, ends stronger, and leaves you with an engaging cliffhanger.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Filthy Lambs #1 begins with the Grimaldi patriarch shedding his blood into a bowl in the basement of the family mansion, while a woman in a white dress sits tied up nearby. Soon after, we get a walking tour of introductions to the assorted members of the Grimaldi family.

Ben and Lucy enjoy the lavish life, while hiding the fact that they have no intention of bearing children into an evil family. Hannah and Walter are the model family with two rambunctious boys and a happy marriage. Theodore is the listless loner who finds life boring. And Madame Millicent keeps the family in line as the matriarch.

This night is the regular ritual that pays homage to a demon lord who grants favor and fortune to the Grimaldi family. All that’s required is a blood offering and a human sacrifice. The woman tied to the chair is that sacrifice.

When the hour strikes and the time of the sacrifice is set to begin, Eliza is given an axe to do battle with a monstrous demon that emerges from the portal. Unfortunately for the Grimaldi family, the ritual is about to take a costly turn.

How is the story in Filthy Lambs #1?

Pallie Paul Allor’s supernatural tale hits all the right notes for a Gothic horror story. You get shades of Lovecraft, Poe, and even a few pieces of Oscar Wilde. To be clear, the story isn’t verbose or overly literary. It’s the tone and atmosphere that make this comic a solid pick for horror lovers.

That said, the ensemble cast is a little too crowded. You don’t get enough time to get acquainted with the individual characters’ wants, needs, desires, and motivations. There are teases, but not enough to build a complete picture of each personality before the fun and games begin.

How is the art in Filthy Lambs #1?

The art by Chris Evenhuis is strong. Each character is visually distinctive enough that you can easily tell one from the other pretty quickly. The linework is super clean, and the Gothic mansion background are pitch perfect.

That said, the weak point in the art is Sjan Weijers’ coloring. The palette selection is excellent, and the application is exceptionally precise, What the coloring lacks is contrast in the shadows and shading. Every character is too well lit, even in dark, shadowy rooms. Deep contrast shading and shadows provide drama, so when everyone is too evenly and brightly lit, the heaviness of the dark story is slightly lost.

Characters

It’s not clear for the majority of the issue, but the character who steals focus and begs the reader to watch for the following issues is Eliza. The Grimaldi family, each in their own way, is loathsome and decadent, so it makes sense that the reader shouldn’t like any of them or otherwise get attached. So when Eliza’s scene unfolds, she says almost nothing, while telling you plenty.

Originality & Concept Execution

Evil, decadent families are hardly a new concept in horror stories. The Usher family in The Fall of the House of Usher is a perfect example. That said, turning the tables on said evil family in such a sudden and dramatic way really is an original twist.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Super clean art
• A loathsome family of evil (in a good way)
• A surprising twist for a cliffhanger

Room for Improvement

• The coloring is too bright
• Too many characters to get to know before the fun starts
• The ritual’s benefit/history/details are lacking

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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Filthy Lambs #1 serves up an evil family whose night of ritual sacrifice takes an unexpected turn. Pallie Paul Allor’s supernatural spookfest pleasantly combines shades of Poe, Lovecraft, and more for a devilishly good time, and the art team’s visual presentation is immaculate.

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