Review — ‘Jumpscare #3’ Slashes Its Way Into Our Hearts

Welcome to the table,

Another brilliant issue of my pal Cullen Bunn‘s Jumpscare has hit my desk and I could not be more thrilled. The only thing that is disappointing me about what he and Danny Luckert are doing with this title is the fact this is issue #3 of 4 and that means I only get one more of these. Then I have to sit and wonder if Dark Horse Comics will give us another series in this strange horror centered setting.

Before I dive into the plot developments of this gore-soaked yarn, I want to take a second to direct your attention to the cover of this issue. They have all been super solid up and to this point, but the cover for Issue #3 really feels like it showcases exactly what draws me to this book.

There is a weird occultist with a strange eldritch helm channeling ancient forces of evil, while semitransparent tentacles writhe around them in the foreground. Meanwhile, a multi-eyed, multi-mouthed, hulking crime boss type guy named Grindhouse clashes with a young plucky horror themed vigilante wielding a conjured weapon from a made up horror movie native to this insane universe.

Typing that out sounds like I am having some kind of weird fever dream, but there it is, in brilliant color and ink, emblazoned on the cover of this wacky comic. It feels as much like a solid horror movie as it does a classic Batman book.

When last we left off in issue #2, Grindhouse had kidnapped Jumpscare’s sister and was waiting for her arrival. We learn in this issue that Grindhouse wants to team up with Jumpscare to fight against The Dismal Concordat, a cult who worships the Leviathans who have invaded this world. (See Cullen Bunn’s Beyond Mortal comic true believers for more on that strange happening!) But they have grown disillusioned believing they now need to harvest humanity’s flesh and bone to truly find a state of rebirth.

Jumpscare is set firmly in the horror landscape and really showcases that fusion of the superhero and horror genre has so much potential for truly amazing storytelling.

After a really fun fight sequence we get some more world lore that expands upon the strange background magical machinations that are driving a larger world narrative. Then, just when I think I know where stuff is going, we get a twist I did not see coming and a development I’m not sure how they are going to tie up in a bow by the end of the next issue.

I really am enjoying what this series has become. I feel like a longer form series with the character or at least set in the world has a ton of potential. As someone who is always looking for long form horror storytelling, Jumpscare is providing me with exactly the kind of thing I am looking for even if I am already sad knowing I’m going to have to wait for more.

Until next time, hail Leviathan!