Arkham Horror: The Terror at the End of Time by Cullen Bunn and Andrea Mutti finds socialite Jenny Barnes living life to its fullest, until one day, she and her sister Izzie are attacked by a dangerous cult led by the mysterious Abigail Olmstead. While Jenny was able to escape, her sister was taken by the dangerous cult, and Jenny is determined to rescue her. Enlisting the help of private investigator Joe Diamond, Jenny and Joe begin an investigation that risks their lives and sanity.
For those unfamiliar, Arkham Horror began as a co-op adventure board game based on H.P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos. The Cthulhu mythos itself is a shared universe of horror stories based upon otherworldly, primordial beings. What began with Lovecraft is continued on with other writers, including Bunn with The Terror at the End of Time.
Right off the bat, Bunn tells a very tight and compelling story that doesn’t explain itself too much; he often prefers to show rather than tell. And with Andrea Mutti’s art, it’s the right choice, as the art provides a very accurate 1920s feel while emphasizing the supernatural aspects of the story. The color choices, provided by Valerio Alloro, are on point, giving the story the reinforcement that truly immerses you into the tale.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Lovecraftian mythos and Cthulhu stories, Terror at the End of Time is a great jumping-on point for you. It doesn’t go into the mythology in great detail, but it offers just enough to keep you intrigued while showcasing the common tropes found throughout the mythos. If you are well-versed in Lovecraft’s work, The Terror at the End of Time is a great addition to your collection.
If you’re uninterested in the mythos at all, Arkham Horror is still a fantastic story for any comic book fan looking for something a little different than what may be found on the shelf these days. It’s an adventure/horror story with heart that touches on themes of regret, pain, and moving on healthily.
On top of that, you have a story that combines everything from socialites accessorizing with dual handguns to a pulpy mystery filled with intrigue, missing persons, and time-travel shenanigans involving dinosaurs. At the same time, it turns the head on many classic tropes, such as a damsel in distress, with Jenny Barnes outright refusing to be one.
Arkham Horror: The Terror at the Tend of Time is both a classic Lovecraftian story that has all the best elements of a noir mystery and weird horror, and an amazingly detailed story with themes that’ll make you think. In fact, it makes me want to dust off my old Keeper’s Manual and run a campaign heavily inspired by the story.
Creative Team: Cullen Bunn (writer); Andrea Mutti (art); Velerio Allora (colors); Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (letters); Rafael Albuquerque (cover and title pages); Brett Israel (editor); Tara McCarron (assistant editor)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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