North40 is a comic by Aaron Williams and Fiona Staples on Wildstorm comics (part of DC Comics).
The story is of a small American town and county called Conover County, it’s midwest nowhereville. And then two people find a forbidden book and open a portal which turns the population into a varied selection of monsters and ghouls, sprinkling a random selection of powers and curses. And no one can leave the county.
There’s one Sheriff who seems to be in control. Everyone else struggles instantly to cope (well, bar a few college kids who go to a party).
It’s a bit too horror for me, quite gory, lots of death, but there are moments of black humour and also hints at a deeper story underneath: who is the Sheriff? What ties does the county have to the incoming evil? It’s the bigger story that would interest me, rather than the gore.
The artwork is a softer, painted style, very effective for zombies and blood and monsters.
If you’re a horror fan or like your monsters you will probably like this series, and there’s hints at a wider arc in forthcoming issues. Issues #1, #2 and #3 are out now.
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