We all love a g
ood ghost story, they’ve been popular forever, almost literally. From fake seances to modern ghost hunting reality shows people love to be freaked out, scared and catch a glimpse of the unknown or find out if there’s a hereafter. Don’t let anyone fool you we all have that guilty pleasure with the idea of ghosts, hauntings, and the paranormal whether to just debunk it or to prove it’s real or just to be downright scared. So that this is based on a real group of people who do all that in the New England area came as something of a surprise to me. Not gonna lie love this kind of stuff though I mean for better or worse I’m a fan of Ghost Hunters and T.A.P.S..
“Based on” is a loaded phrase because we don’t know how much is taken directly from the case itself and how much is supposition and storytelling. Regardless this is the kind of concept that lends itself really well the comic book medium. Taking real cases and fleshing them out in ways that we don’t normally get to see, using the background investigation to really give the place that’s haunted more oomph and credibility or to just get in there and tell what could be is a huge attraction.
The characters we see are nicely fleshed out and given good solid personalities. I’m incredibly impressed by Jack and what he’s done with this story. The way the tale unfolds with a solid approach to what we as an audience see as parts of ghost hunting and the desire to help a client. I really like the way he was able to take what was given and bring it to life in such a gripping way that combines the best of creepy horror and the unknown as well as with a happy ending. There was a real good story progression and it all happens in such an unexpected way that as a reader I really got into this.
Alex’s interiors are as equally impressive. From the haunting darkness of those visiting the client to the frightening aspects and the daylight ones he really captures the essence and spirit of how the story needed to done. I’ve watched him grow as an artist and to see his passion and talent on display here was really something marvelous.
I think this is the kind of series that the industry needs. It’s fun, quirky, passionate and gives you the full range of emotion as it takes you on a wonderful journey. These aren’t sensational overdone horror movies, they are based in real life and I think that really stands out. Personally I’d love to see more of these and as one or two part stories.
Find out more at spiritsofnewengland.org
S.P.I.R.I.T.S. The Forgotten Souls of Bay Path
Spirits of New England 2015
Written by: Jack Kenna
Illustrated by: Alex Cormack
Reviewer: Steven Leitman
Summary: S.P.I.R.I.T.S. is a new comic book reality series based on the actual Paranormal Investigations of S.P.I.R.I.T.S. of New England based in Winthrop, MA.
