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Review: Imaginary Fiends #1

By Andy Frisk
November 28, 2017 - 21:12

A kid gets stabbed by a friend at the behest of an imaginary monster. Years later, the stabber discovers that the monster wasn't imaginary, and she might be the only one to help stop the rest of the imaginary fiends lurking about...

At first I was a little put off by the premise of this story. The real life "Slender Man" case obviously inspired this story, but is something as serious and dangerous as internet urban legends like the "Slender Man" fodder for horror fiction? If it's done well, and the first issue of Imaginary Fiends is, then it can become another worthy meeting of fact and fiction, and even if it might not be particularly enlightening, it can be entertaining.

Imaginary Fiends #1 is definitely entertaining, mostly because the characters are very well developed. Seeley's stories might not be very original, but he does have a knack for infusing his characters with enough personality and life to make them believable and likable. What the story in Imaginary Fiends #1 lacks in originality it makes up for in characterization. Even Polly Peachpit, the leading imaginary fiend, is an engaging character.

Of course, strong characters are for naught in any work of sequential art if they don't look good on the printed page. Artist Stephen Molnar does a great job bringing them to life. Especially his rendition of Polly Peachpit. In this age of dime a dozen horror films and comics filled with "IT" like creatures, coming up with something that is unique looking, even if it is a big spider creature, betrays a certain creative talent level.

Sometimes Seeley's work really isn't all that inspiring, but often times it is pretty good for a scare or a unique twist on old horror tropes and themes. Imaginary Fiends, based on the merits of its first issue, looks to be one of these times.

Rating: 9 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12