HYDE STREET #4, by Image Comics on 3/5/25, pulls back the curtain on the terrible, tragic history of Hyde Street’s most horrific soul collector – the Matinee Monster.
Credits:
- Writer: Geoff Johns
- Artist: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki
- Colorist: Brad Anderson
- Letterer: Rob Leigh
- Cover Artist: Ivan Reis, Danny Miki, Brad Anderson
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: March 5, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of HYDE STREET #4:
Recap:
When we last left the eclectic band of soul collectors in Hyde Street #3, Pranky decided to “help” Mr. X-Ray increase his collection count by teaming up to stop a burglar dressed up like Santa who stole the Christmas presents of children around town. When the fatal moment came to collect on the bounty, Pranky double-crossed Mr. X-Ray, but Pranky didn’t get the last laugh when he was ambushed by the arrival of another, more monstrous collector – The Matinee Monster.
Plot Analysis:
Hyde Street #4 begins with a flashback to Hollywood in 1949. The unusually tall Oscar Oddman meets with his agent for his latest acting role, a version of Frankenstein’s monster (his brother) in a sequel to Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein. Oscar is concerned that the parts his agents can find will typecast him into roles that only suit his oversized frame, never allowing him to show his acting range and talent. He accepts the role because some work is better than no work.
Later, Oscar endures hours of prosthetic makeup application for minutes worth of filming. However, the Director is aware of Oscar’s talents and encourages him to use his eyes and voice to make the part shine. Unfortunately, filming stalls when the Director’s wife takes ill. During the break, Oscar refines his acting through the makeup, but the results are received poorly by the film crew, leading to rumors that Oscar may not be right for the role.
After frantic days of no response from calls to his agent, Oscar storms into his agent’s office unannounced and interrupts a meeting with another actor, Gregory Mitchell, who happens to be the same height and build as Oscar, fueling his paranoia. When filming resumes, Oscar takes an early morning on the set to rehearse, but his rehearsal is interrupted by an unexpected set visit by Mitchell. Oscar is enraged by Mitchell’s visit because he believes Mitchell was sent to replace him. Oscar attacks, and Mitchell dies when a spotlight falls on him in the scuffle.
Mitchell’s death leads to the film’s cancellation. Oscar spirals into depression and loses everything. One night, he falls asleep on a park bench and wakes up on Hyde Street. The issue concludes with the Scorekeeper showing displeasure at Oscar’s refusal to collect souls, turning a Hollywood monster into a real one, and a hint about the secret the Matinee Monster keeps hidden in his castle dungeon.
First Impressions:
Consistent with other Geoff Johns penned series produced by Ghost Machine, this title will grow on you. Johns combines the unique style of episodic storytelling, akin to the Twilight Zone, with the best kind of nostalgia bait and Eater Eggs for days, presenting it all in a narrative world with oodles of potential.
Artwork and Presentation:
Oof! It’s almost embarrassing how a creator-owned imprint like Ghost Machine can draw circles around Marvel and DC with art that looks this good. Ivan Reis and Danny Miki pull out all the stops with a richly detailed, cinematically inspired story of classic Hollywood gone horribly wrong. The monster designs, before and after look amazing, and Oscar’s acting, which is encouraged through the director, works beautifully to convey his struggle.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Geoff Johns’s script just plain works, especially if you have a fondness for classic Universal monsters. Johns crafts an origin tale with an entertaining mix of tragic backstory, classic Hollywood Easter Eggs, and plenty of seeds to set up what comes next. This issue is as strong of a new character introduction as you could hope for.
The Negatives:
The only minor issue is a confusing plot point regarding the Scorekeeper’s contract with Oscar. The Scorekeeper coerces Oscar with the contract Oscar signed, but you never see where the contract came from, when Oscar signed it, what’s in it, or why Oscar signed it.
Final Thoughts:
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HYDE STREET #4 delivers the goods, especially if you have a fondness for classic Universal monster films and their endless sequels. Geoff Johns’s backstory for the Matinee Monster is a tragically relatable tale, and the art team’s delivery is magnificent.
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