TOM HOLLAND’S FRIGHT NIGHT #1 – Review

TOM HOLLAND’S FRIGHT NIGHT #1, from American Mythology on December 22nd, 2021, brings readers back to the vampire-filled glory of the 1985 film with a story that reveals the film isn’t the real story and the sequel only scratches the surface.

The Details

• Written By: James Kuhoric
• Art By: Jason Craig, Neil Vokes, Jay Geldhof, Matt Webb
• Colors By: BEEZZZ Studio, Jeremy Kahn
• Letters By: Natalie Jane
• Cover Art By: Roy Allen Martinez
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: December 22, 2021

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Was It Good?

Full disclosure, I’m a huge fan of Fright Night (1985). I’ve watched that film more times than I can recall. Every scene is etched into my brain, and I have (most) of the Now Comics comic adaptation, picked from ye olde spinner rack in my local 7-Eleven when the series first came out. So, when this series was announced, there is no way it wasn’t getting reviewed.

After all that, two questions stand out. Of course, was it good? And, does it hold up to the original?

Starting with the easier question, TOM HOLLAND’S FRIGHT NIGHT #1 doesn’t quite hold up to the original (few things could) but it respects the original in a way that fans of the film can respect in kind. The story implies the film is a fictionalized retelling of actual events but doesn’t try to invalidate the film or dismiss it in any way. The approach here seems to say the creators have a different view of the story that (hopefully) gives readers a fresh look. Whether or not it pays off remains to be seen, but the direction appears sincere, even if it hasn’t hooked me just yet.

Now, the second question. The story is better than okay. You get an 8-page retelling of the movie, which may be fine for new readers to the property but felt a little long for fans who know the film inside and out. The story then takes a detour into “the story behind the story” territory by setting up a sequel that appears to be a rework of the original sequel, Fright Night Part II (1988). Admittedly, the sequel wasn’t nearly as successful as the first film, so an alternate take may be the story fans have been waiting for. We shall see.

If there’s a weak point in this inaugural issue, it’s the art. The issue cycles through a number of artist’s (that’s typically a red flag), and the jarring shift in art styles sticks out. There are tricks creators can use to hide art handoffs (e.g. use one artist for the present story and another for flashbacks) but the styles need to complement each other. Here they do not, and its a bummer.

In all, I appreciate the respect paid to the source material, I’m interested in the alternate take on the story and the potential upgrade(?) to the less-good sequel, but the art doesn’t rise to the level of the writing.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

We begin with a late-night chase as a man is hunted down and killed by a vampire and her spawn. No names are given or setup explained.

Cut to a multi-page recap of the original Fright Night (1985) film that covers all the bases, more or less. At the end of the recap, we learn the story is narrated by the real Peter Vincent at a book reading of his novel in a local book store. When the reading is complete, attending journalists ask Peter to clarify how much is real or fiction. In this reality, the public knows of the events surrounding Jerry Dandridge as that of a deranged serial killer.

Afterward, the public is invited to have their copies of the book signed and one of the attendees appears to be the vampire from the opening prologue. Later, we catch up with Charlie Brewster dealing with his remaining time in high school, dealing with bullies, and bearing the weight of his rumored involvement in the Dandridge case.

Since Jerry’s “demise”, life hasn’t been easy for Charlie. School has its ups and downs, his relationship with Amy is on hold for unspecified reasons, and we conclude the issue with a familiar-looking (for the readers) neighbor moving into the Dandridge house.

Final Thoughts

TOM HOLLAND’S FRIGHT NIGHT #1 picks up where the 1985 hit film left off. The creators have crafted a new story that reveals the film is only part of the tale. The writing is sincere and wisely respects the source material, and the characters are all present but with a slightly different “voice” to reflect the fresh take. That said, the art passes hands multiple times with styles that don’t complement each other well for a distracting visual experience.

Score: 7.5/10

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