Continuing the Molting

The latest issue from Repo! A Genetic Opera‘s Terrance Zdunich’s clever, dark, and mesmerizing independent horror comic, The Molting is out. Chapter 4 is called “Lethal Raids” and it continues one of the best qualities of this soon-to-be 12 issue miniseries.  But first, a recap: Killer Film has been following the series, issue-by-issue, and has dubbed the content a “violent, unique, and wholly independent. Zdunich has craft a great new horror comic series, recommended for more than just his Repo! fans, but for horror comic fans looking for something a bit more original, and quirky, to go along with the macabre.”

Constant readers can get reacquainted with my assessments of the first three issues with “Shedding with Zdunich’s The Molting” (here) where I talk about horror comics in general and lead up to his series, and with “The Molting Continues” (here) as I look at issue numbers 2 and 3.

Pre-language: Fossil records suggest that upwards of 40% of male deaths  were at the hands of other males. It’s a dog-eat-dog world even if we’ve traded sticks for iPhones. “Lethal Raids” is a fine example of what I have been enjoying the most from the series: the atmosphere. This story opens with a voice over explaining the nature of primitive man and how these early hunter-and-gathers sought to destroy their weaker neighbors, a great allegory for how man, in his apparent brightest days, is still rather a basic animal, and it echoes the Pryzkind family’s plight. The big, broad drawing from Zdunich continue to impress with how really simple yet alluring they are. Brian Johnston’s colors evoke the thematic elements of this dark, American Gothic, so much so, it’s the thing I think of when I hear comic’s title from someone’s lips.

This limited series is quite the real deal in independent comics. It’s raw, riveting, and raving mad. I don’t know where the story arc is going or how it will conclude, but each issue not only furthers the characters into some dark future, but is a great simile for our current American climate. Horror comics fill up comic book stores racks every month, yet are they saying anything? Take a break from zombies and superheroes and give The Molting a read.  For added fun, listen to Sepultura’s song “Roots, Bloody, Roots” in the background. Issue 5 can’t come sooner…

Zdunich is easing our wait for future issues with his fun, creative virtual art class over at his blog. He says it’s like “Ted Bundy-meets-Bob Ross” and fans can not only watch and learn to paint/draw like Terrance, but participate as well. Explore all of this here and get order issue 4 now (or back issues) here. If you’re exploring The Molting too, chat about it below in our comments section.