An old friend invites Micah and Holly to his luxurious beachfront house. But this getaway packs a perilous secret.

We’ve arrived at the last of my reviews for the Imposter Comics lineup, with a tinge of genuine sadness because I’ve been enjoying these stories a great deal. But as sure as the sun will rise every morning, I am positive there will be more comics coming from the Portland publisher in time! And what a classic finale to fall upon at day’s end, just as the moon makes itself known, as well. But whatever shadows it casts upon our cast of characters pale in comparison to what lurks in the dark.

This comic in particular demonstrates the full creative range of Jay Lewis, with him being credited as not only the writer, but the artist, letterer, and designer of this issue. And Lewis has proven himself to be a one-man army, with incredible illustrations, excellent lettering, and panel work that flourishes on the page with striking quality. I’m convinced Lewis’ background lies initially in art, with such a strong presence on each page and powerful visuals. Furthermore, Ryan Bir’s coloring edifies the work of Lewis, adding his unique flavoring to each panel.

When it comes to the overall narrative, it’s safe to say it excels in a rather overlooked subsection of horror: tension. At the heart of this story lies the relationship between Micah and Brad: childhood friends now entangled with one another over business-related quarrels. With Brad’s ego perpetually at the helm, there’s always an awkwardness underpinning each conversation, quip, and remark aimed at Micah. It makes for rich, double-sided dialogue and adds to the strain of their relationship. With their girlfriends, Holly and Lisa, caught in the middle and making futile attempts to ease their conflict, the plot intensifies into a maelstrom of apprehension. It’s comics writing at its best.

Bad Moon Rising #1 hits its quality mark with the pinpoint accuracy of a silver bullet, with enough terror and trepidation to sate even the hungriest of horror fans.

Creative Team: Jay Lewis (writer/artist/letterer/design), Ryan Bir (colorist/art assistance)
Publisher: Imposter Comics
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