Dark Horse Comics has released the first issue of Patra which is writer James Robinson’s homage to 1980s slasher flicks. The front cover boasts a picture of the titular Patra, holding a big knife and wearing a skull mask. Without knowing who or what to trust, we begin our journey into this violent world.
Police are called by a neighbor to a house where a family was violently murdered. The bodies of everyone in the family are accounted for, except for the daughter, Patra. Unsure if she was home when the crime took place, the police start their search for her. We cut to Patra in a field, where she wakes up covered in blood but without remembering anything. Interestingly, when she senses danger, a skeleton mask covers her face and a giant bloodied knife appears in her hand. Confused and scared, she immediately throws these items away, and they disappear when they hit the ground. Later, we meet Dr. Dakari who believes these murders were committed by an escaped mental patient named Jeremy Jones.
James Robinson’s first issue sets a thick fog of mystery. This issue is quiet, but disturbing. Robinson’s slasher story wears its influences on its sleeve, but steers them enough in a different direction to be homage and not imitation. Dr. Dakari may be the stand in for Dr. Loomis, but time will tell if he’s an ally. There is a definite contrast between our two storylines with a few small hints about how they may merge later in the series. Scott Kolins’ art feels rough, which works as we are still unsure who is safe. Jim Campbell’s letters are kept neutral as we navigate the clues presented.
Patra is the first in a series of comics Robinson will be writing for Dark Horse, and with this first issue, he has left just enough mystery to entice you to stay for the answers in the next three issues. If Dark Horse’s recent horror output has shown us anything, it’s that they have hired creative teams with a good sense of subverting the familiar. Time will tell if that’s the intention here.
Creative Team: James Robinson (writer), Scott Kolins (artist), Jim Campbell (letterer)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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