Staff Picks (January): Puppet Master - The Offering #1

In the wake of cult-classic horror films like Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Halloween, there was a new brand of horror films emerging in the 90’s that found new and even stranger ways of inviting bloodshed. Rather than introduce even more variations of the masked serial killer, movies like Child’s Play, Critters, and Puppet Master were introducing sadistic but strangely “loveable” creatures for audiences to cheer for. Like their serial killer predecessors, these “cute-but-callous-creature” horror movies would not fade quickly from horror fans’ minds, but become their own storied franchise of sequels. In some cases, these sequels still continue to make their appearances now over twenty years from their inception. So here we are, twenty-five years from the first film and 9 sequels later, Puppet Master continues to haunt horror fans with an all new comic series.

Bodega Bay Inn, once again, sets the stage for another puppet-fueled massacre as a group of unfortunate teens decide to visit the now-abandoned spot. Of course we all know what curiosity does for these unlucky “kats” but it’s really the creative kills we’ve all come here for.

Shawn Gabborin of Zombie Tramp brings horror fans’ favorite marionettes to comics with the help of artist Michela Da Sacco, who may just see a little more notoriety after readers get a look at her impressively rendered versions of the infamous puppets. Say what you will about some straight-to-video horror sequels these days, but it looks like Puppet Master: The Offering could expand the franchise in a new and positive direction.

—Jay Spence

Publisher: Action Lab Entertainment Item Code: JAN150938 Release Date: 4/1/15 SRP: $3.99