HYDE STREET #3, by Image Comics on 1/22/25, finds Pranky and Mr. X-Ray teaming up to deliver a heartless man intent on ruining the spirit of Christmas.
Credits:
- Writer: Geoff Johns
- Artist: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki
- Colorist: Brad Anderson
- Letterer: Rob Leigh
- Cover Artist: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: January, 22, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of HYDE STREET #3:
Recap:
When last we left the world’s most evil Boy Scout in Hyde Street #2, we learned the abusive origin of Pranky’s evolution into a trickster in service to the Scorekeeper. The issue ends with a bird’s eye view of one of Pranky’s assignments when he turns the tables on a cop who acts as a serial killer in his spare time.
Plot Analysis:
Hyde Street #3 begins with a snowy night on Christmas Eve. Santa makes his way down the chimney to spread his Christmas cheer, but the man in the familiar red and white suit isn’t Santa, and he’s not going to leave cheer in his wake. Meet Samuel Karpis – a thief, burglar, and swindler who uses the cover of night to rob everyone blind… until he gets to Hyde Street.
Meanwhile, Pranky visits Mr. X-Ray in his humble office, filled with deadlier versions of the doo-dads and gadgets he marketed on the pages of comic books when he was still alive. Pranky explains he’s come to show Mr. X-Ray how to be a better collector by order of the Scorekeeper. If Mr. X-Ray can collect 10,000 souls, he can be free of Hyde Street, so he agrees to Pranky’s offer.
Man and boy find Karpis breaking into the next house on his route, and they accost him dressed as a police officer and Christmas elf, respectively. Karpis flees the house by climbing up the chimney, and Pranky uses his escape route to light a fire under Karpis. When Karpis gets to the roof, he finds Pranky and Mr. X-Ray waiting in a sleigh with flying reindeer to take Karpis to his next destination.
When the sleigh takes off, Pranky notes the sleigh is having trouble due to excess weight. Pranky gives Karpis a choice – lose the bag of stolen goods or eject Mr. X-Ray. Karpis chooses the latter out of greed, securing his damnation. Suddenly, the sleigh is ripped apart by the arrival of a man-beast.
The issue ends with Pranky’s next collection stolen by a competitor – the Matinee Monster.
First Impressions:
It’s happening again. Every Ghost Machine-produced title has an okay start, but they have the tendency to grow on you. Writer Geoff Johns repeats the cycle with another strong issue that gives readers an entertaining taste of dark fantasy horror with a Christmas twist.
Artwork and Presentation:
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, Ivan Reis and Danny Miki present a richly detailed world where everything looks familiar, but sinister forces lurk just out of eyesight. Ghost Machine clarified upfront that their titles will not be outdone in art quality, and Hyde Street #3 upholds that vow.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Readers who like dark, twisted fantasies will love this issue. Not only do you get a Christmas-themed tale of karmic horror, but writer Geoff Johns also fills in the gaps regarding the rules of Hyde Street, expands the cast of regular characters, and clarifies the goal of at least one collector, Mr. X-Ray. On multiple levels, this issue took what worked about issue #2 and made it better.
The Negatives:
There is a minor flaw in the art progression that shouldn’t be considered as anything more than a nitpick. The flow of action involving the Matinee Monster’s first appearance is a little hard to follow. The scene is quick, so there’s not too much to distract you from the overall narrative, but the scene trips you up.
Final Thoughts:
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HYDE STREET #3 is another killer (*ahem*) issue when Pranky mentors Mr. X-Ray to increase his collection count, but it doesn’t go well. Geoff Johns’s knack for crafting expanding worlds that grow on you will pull you in, and the art team’s presentation is fantastic.
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