If you could get an honest answer out of them, most artists and entertainers in any medium would admit that fans are fickle. Frail children of dust and feeble as frail. It really doesn’t take much to shake their confidence; blowing anywhere the wind goes. There’s nothing with that, some folks get restless and are ready to move on. Leaving the creator anxious, in shock and dismayed. Oh, the HORROR it creates! Which brings us to Cullen Bunn’s new book from Dark Horse Comics. Prepare yourself to be entertained (and possibly eaten). The Midnite Show is much different than the Noon Matinee.
The Midnite Show #1
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Brian Hurtt
Colors: Bill Crabtree
Letters: Jim Campbell
The Midnite Show #1 begins with readers witnessing the filming of a classic Horror film God of Monsters. We arrive at the heart wrenching scene where the audience learns fair damsel Gillian has succumb to the vampire’s kiss. As she attempts to turn her companion Vincente the special effects smoke begins to overtake the soundstage. This isn’t part of the scene though the results are still horrific. A fire of unknown origin overtakes the entire set and destroys the only copy of the film. This has left the film, and its creator, with quite the legend to live up to. And on this eve, it intends to live once more. And it’s bringing some friends along you may remember.
In The Midnite Club #1 fans have waited years for a chance to see the assumed lost, supposedly cursed God of Monsters. Which makes this year’s Basil Film Festival a once in a lifetime opportunity. That is what brings Horror superfan Jason, along with Connie, to the Argent this evening. As they talk in the audience the legendary Dr. Madness Morbid gives a brief history of the film. To call the setup of Bunn’s The Midnite Show basic might be right, but it also may bring up the question of whether or not you’re a true believer. Because that is what the Basil Saxon’s, the mysterious mind behind the God of Monsters, require of those they entertain.
When you look back at the early days of Horror, the time when the monsters in this comic like Wolfman, The Creature and The Mummy were cool, you remember that was the goal. To capture the audience’s attention, suspending them in a moment in time. Yes, every artist is after that happy buck, however, what really makes it worthwhile is witnessing them walking into the word(s) of wonder that is their work. For anyone who wants to remember what that feels like, artist Brian Hurtt captures the nostalgic curtain draw; even including notes to indicate the show’s score has started. Likewise, Bill Crabtree’s colors convey the proper tones to take readers back to the days of Technicolor.
The Midnite Show #1 serves as a reminder of why artists create. It is to create a reminder, not merely of what is (or was), but also of what is possible – from and for everyone, including YOU. LIke the two “stars” who happen to also be visitors, and potential victims, at the Argent that evening. One day someone needs to determine the correlation coefficient of the relationship between Tube and Screen stars. The glad to be there Gracie gets a chance to talk to Scream Queen Abigail Jennfer, who couldn’t less. Still she is there just like the young podcaster in search of the same thing. The same thing each of the feature creatures in The Midnite Show #1, which also includes breakfast club stars Dracula and Dr. Frankenstein, were after – IMMORTALITY. Fame, I wanna live forever. No one wants to be forgotten or a ghost, right BooBerry.
It would be easy to call The Midnite Show just another scary story to tell in the dark. Especially once you notice the scary monsters are no longer just on the screen. That is overlooking the obvious. This isn’t a question of whether or not this is the same or a similar story. That’s actually the answer. Everyone is a part of and thus attempting to create and be part of the same sorta story. Studios, stars and stan – Oh My. Of course they all have the power to burn it all down – just look at the recent WGA strikes, not to mention the Trollcial Media.
Actually when you stop and examine it, every individual in the entertainment industry in any form or fashion has something inherently similar to these monsters. The road to hell that each of these once humans walked was paved with good intentions.
Kinda makes you wonder who the real monsters are???
Score: 8.5