Buried Long, Long Ago #1
Creative Team
writers: ANTHONY CLEVELAND
artist/colorist: ALEX CORMACK
letterer: JUSTIN BIRCH
publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Buried Long, Long Ago #1 is a horror story that cleverly blends fairytale terrors against the backdrop of rural America in the 1900s.
Filled with tension and distrust, this series follows three sisters (Jesse, Rylelyn, and Haddy) moving from Chicago to meet their mother and new step-father and instead find something sinister.
The issue begins with the sisters reading fairytale books on their long train journey with the last story being about a medieval ogre that disappeared long ago. The ending of the story is inconclusive, but the girls have little time to make guesses as their train arrives in La Porte, Indiana. They meet their mother, a visually commanding character named Belle, and do their best to stay obedient on the wagon ride to their new home. There is some semblance of hopefulness in the early pages, but this slowly is pulled away from the reader as the atmosphere in Indiana is moody and dreary right before rich red from blood and gore fills the panels when the nightmare begins.
(I will try to keep this review as spoiler free as possible, but I highly suggest going into this series blind before reading the official summary.)
Written by Anthony Cleveland, the script’s pacing and subtle redirects rarely permits readers to feel comfortable. The sense of uncertainty and distrust of the new land and its people is well sensed by the readers and the sisters. Once the horror commences, there are still mysteries that stick to the psyche of the children as someone—or something—is responsible for terrors before them
Alex Cormack’s illustrative skills are well-matched with the script as thick lines and textured colors create a moody atmosphere and the panels often feel claustrophobic. Cormack’s use of light is a personal favorite element of this comic as candlestick holders allow for limited light in rooms and almost act as a conduit for the entity that is present on the grounds.
Final Verdict
Look no further for your next horror fix, Buried Long, Long Ago is an anxiety inducing and page turning series. It’s script and art have their own way of presenting horrors to readers who dare pick up this title.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.5 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.5 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.5/10 |