Image Comics’ horror imprint, Ninth Circle, brings us Freddie the Fix, a forty-page story from veteran comic writer Garth Ennis. This horror noir set in a modern-day Hollywood is the first of many comics coming from the imprint, and it is a strong start for both Ninth Circle and the title itself.

Freddie, a fixer who makes things go away for the supernatural beings living in Hollywood, is hired by a studio head to investigate the death of the Bogeyman who has been found in a sauna in Koreatown. Freddie crosses paths with many creatures, including over-sexualized werewolves, vampire prostitutes, elective surgery mermaids, and even a cult leader dinosaur. Fans of horror and mysteries rejoice, as each genre is represented equally in one of the smartest books you’ll read this year.

Garth Ennis’ creature feature Hollywood builds a fantastic world, and the number of stories and directions this can go seems endless. It’s dark but different from Preacher or The Boys. It can be argued that all of Ennis’ writing is dark satire, but the fantastical horror elements of this Hollywood populated by monsters work well. It’s also funny (both humorously and strangely). There’s a fantastic running joke about the Predator.

Mike Perkins’ designs for monsters look great. There are references to classic Hollywood monsters that make sense as their look would evolve in our modern times. Perkins’ backgrounds are great, too. He’s really captured the beauty and seediness of Los Angeles County from Hollywood to Long Beach. Mike Spicer and Andy Troy’s colors are just so well done. One of the darkest stories I’ve read this year mostly takes place in broad daylight. This book knows exactly what it is and goes all in on its premise, feeling like a cross between Bill Willingham’s Fables and Steve Niles’ Cal McDonald.

Creative Team: Garth Ennis (writer), Mike Perkins (artist), Mike Spicer (colorist), Andy Troy (colorist) Rob Steen (letterer)
Publisher: Image Comics
Click here to purchase.