Advance Review: The Tension Mounts As Cindy Becomes More And More Isolated In ‘Black Tape’ #3

Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Cindy, continues to look for the eponymous black tape but only finds more and more disturbing evidence that Jack, and all around him, are Satanists. It’s very much a comic aimed at mature readership considering some of its salacious revelations. But then, whenever one does think of such cults, I dare say you do think of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll. And they’re all here on display as Cindy rifles through Jack’s belongings. 

Cindy is becoming more and more isolated as she, and us, are often reminded to trust no-one. Writer Dan Panosian builds up this sense of isolation and paranoia extremely well, aided and abetted by artist Dalibor Talajić. The twilight world of tinseltown becomes somewhat darker, more encroaching with shadows closing in. Wherever Cindy looks are portentous signs that help create a foreboding sense of terror with Cindy in the middle of it all.

From the very get go this series has done a great job of establishing and sustaining the same type of paranoia and hopelessness felt in Rosemary’s Baby by Mia Farrow’s Rosemary Woodhouse, but with our Cindy seemingly made of sterner stuff. That, or a complete denial of the evidence mounting up in front of her. But, as this tense atmosphere builds and builds in this issue, fuelled on by such classic and effective Gothic horror tropes such as a disturbing and probably portentous dream, as well as other visual conventions, Cindy in a state of unease and fear rightfully grows. When you can’t trust anyone, who will come to your rescue? One issue left and here’s hoping the old adage of it being the darkest before the dawn is something Cindy can take heart in. Because, by the end of this issue, it’s looking pretty dark for Cindy.

Black Tape #3 is out Wednesday 19th April from AWA Upshot