cover image Twisted Dark, Vol. 1

Twisted Dark, Vol. 1

Neil Gibson et al. TPub, $14.99 trade paper (204p) ISBN 978-0-9569434-4-6

Horror stories more often than not come in the supernatural variety, but horrors rooted in the mundane world of everyday humanity and the depths to which man can sink can be just as chilling. Gibson mines dire situations across a multinational, multicultural landscape, coming up with unsettling short story gold, and there’s not a dud among the lot. Suicidal musings, coping with tragedy via delusional denial, human rights violations, opportunistic manipulations in the name of power, technology as an aid to psychopathy, vengeance, frustration, Munchausen by proxy, and a host of disturbing elements populate these pages, resulting in a banquet of strong meat for the reader who can handle the grim vibe. Six illustrators provide a diverse visual tapestry, with a distinct and memorable degree of deep unsettlement for each story. A refreshing change of pace from rote horror comics, Gibson’s work scores on the strength of its relatable humanity, much of which casts a dour reflection of its audience. (BookLife)