The Tormented Issue #1 Review
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
This is off to a great start!
Chuck Austen entertainingly sets up the primary premise of the 5-part horror comic book series “The Tormented”. It’s like re-imagining paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a comic-book universe and focusing on their child’s journey into the supernatural world, ghost-busters style. The artwork by Patrick Olliffe echoes the gritty, noir style of DC comics, or even Marvel stuff for that matter.
The first issue of “The Tormented” follows Ryan, who loses his TV job for a baking show, only to be surprised by a camera crew at his door, announcing they’ve got a ghost-hunting show approved with him as its host. Ryan’s parents were famous paranormal experts, like the Warrens from “The Conjuring” universe, complete with a creepy basement museum filled with eerie artifacts. But Ryan has no interest in following his parents’ footsteps, nor does he want to ‘fake it’ for the new show, because the ghosts in his life are far too real! But the producers won’t back off, so Ryan must decide if he’ll embrace or escape his haunted destiny.
Even though the first issue of “The Tormented” is less than 30 pages long, like most other Comixology series – “Parliament of Rooks”/“Simulation Theory”/“By A Thread” – I didn’t feel the need to read at least two issues before writing a review because creator Chuck Austen fantastically draws in horror fans into Ryan’s world. From childhood trauma, to adult uncertainties, including therapy, the first chapters packs in enough twists to keep readers excited about wherever the plot is heading. Besides, I’ve already warmed up to Ryan, an interesting asocial, introvert, who is open to self-improvement, and maybe even fighting the ghosts of his past.
Rating: 4 on 5. “The Tormented” is also on Kindle Unlimited.
Read Next: She’s Running on Fumes Comic Book Series Review
Also Read: Bloody Ishq: This ‘Raaz’ Wannabe Is a CGI Car-Crash (Audio version below)
