KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1, from Image Comics on 9/6/23, introduces readers to Rose, a young girl who enjoys playing in her fantasy world… until an imagined darkness becomes all too real.
The Details
- Written by: Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan
- Art by: Bob Quinn, John J. Hill
- Colors by: Bob Quinn, John J. Hill
- Letters by: Bob Quinn, John J. Hill
- Cover art by: Bob Quinn
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: September 6, 2023
Is KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1 Good?
There’s nothing quite like a children’s story that gets shockingly dark. In KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1, Rose finds herself enjoying the fun and adventure of an imaginary kingdom, but Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan turn Rose’s fantasy realm of escape into a horrific tale of death, possession, and possibly witchcraft.
Parker and Griffin’s script centers on Rose, a schoolgirl who creates fascinating worlds with her art and imagination to escape the doldrums of life without a father and a mother who can’t play because she struggles to make ends meet. one day, Rose’s world of adventure turns into a bloody massacre, leading to unexpectedly real consequences.
If you’ve kept up with our reviews for a while, you know we like horror. Take a child’s fantasy story and twist it into something dark and vicious, and you have our attention. We had no idea what to expect going into this comic, but it was a pleasant surprise.
What’s great about KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1? Beyond the basics of dialog (good) and pacing (also, good), Parker and Sheridan craft a perfect setup for Rose. You understand her world, both real and imagined. With a brief prologue, you get the heavy implication that there’s more to Rose than meets the eye. And the tragic conclusion instantly builds curiosity and anticipation for what comes next.
What’s not so great about KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1? Nothing beyond a few minor nitpicks. It would help to learn a little more about Rose’s parents before the plot takes a wicked turn, but the sparse information doesn’t affect the main plot enough to matter greatly.
How’s the art? Excellent. Bob Quinn and John J. Hill bring the story to life with an almost extreme contrast between the real world and Rose’s fantasy world. The real world is sullen, dreary, and hopeless, but Rose’s fantasy world explodes with bright colors and whimsical settings. The shocking difference helps you get into Rose’s mindset as she crafts a personal escape from reality, making the malignant development as intrusive and offensive as it is scary.
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What’s KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Queen Rose leading her loyal army of stuffed animals against an invading army of creepy vermin. Rose’s world makes sense to her, and she revels in the adventure and lore she creates. In the real world, Rose is the young daughter of a single mother struggling with unpaid bills and a depressing home life.
One day, one of Queen Rose’s lieutenants reports an invader from the North, a development Queen Rose doesn’t remember imagining. Before a search party is assembled, Rose heads off for school. When Rose returns home, her mother is asleep after a hard day of dealing with bill collectors and stress. Rose decides it’s time for Queen Rose to find out what this invader report is all about.
We conclude the issue with a massacre, the whites of her eyes, and flames.
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Final Thoughts
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KILL YOUR DARLINGS #1 is a dark, tragic fairy tale about a girl whose imaginary world is invaded by an ancient evil. Parker and Sheridan lay out a pitch-perfect setup for Rose’s Tale of Horror, and the art team’s visuals are excellent. If you like fairytale stories that get (very) dark, you’re in for a treat.
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