Advance Review: ‘Vinyl’ #6 Gives Readers A Satisfying And Bloody Conclusion

The concluding instalment of Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard’s Vinyl ends as it began, in a glorious, gory bloodbath as our anti-hero, Walter, makes his way slowly and methodically through the bloody chambers of Sunflower Farm to have it out with Madeleine.

Even now, Wagner conjures up new and macabre ways of doing away with the faithful, brainwashed followers of the beautiful but deadly Madeleine And like all good Hollywood slashers, albeit minus the supernatural strength they often have, Walter is a hard man to put down.

And or course, Hillyard keeps up with the kill quota with abandonment, while colourist, Dave Stewart, contrasts the bright blood with more subdued background colours for maximum effect.

As for the ending? Well, I wouldn’t want to give away anything, so you’ll juts have to pick up the final issue when it goes on sale this Wednesday 24th November. But, suffice to say, any fans out there will be left satisfied.

Vinyl has been a whole satisfying series with Wagner and Hillyard creating more than one memorable serial killer as well as presenting the elderly in a way we rarely see in media today. Admittedly, Walter is a serial killer, but he’s also the hero. Well, the best of a bad bunch at least. What’s more, he may be madder than the Mad Hatter, but he holds on to a fierce loyalty not only to Dennis, his FBI buddy, but to others too. Even if they do lose their lives as a consequence. But, of course, this is comics and this is the blackest of comedies. Walter may well be mad, bad and dangerous to know, but you’d certainly want him as an ally rather than a friend.

Mirthfully macabre and horrifically humorous, Vinyl has been a great little series for horror fans and those with a darker sense of humour. A great chapter in Wagner and Hillyard’s seemingly expanding black comedy horror universe.