Advance Review: ‘All Eight Eyes’ TPB
Releasing on November 29th from Dark Horse Comics, All Eight Eyes TPB includes all four issues of the creepy-crawly miniseries from writer Steve Foxe, artist Piotr Kowalski, colorist Brad Simpson, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The collected edition also includes additional pinups from various artists, a sketchbook section, and a bonus “Diamond Eyes” short story.
There are some pacing inconsistencies from chapter to chapter, but Foxe shows how to of create a sense of suspense and dread, which played better as a collected edition rather than how the story unfolded via individual monthly issues. Some of the pacing problems were likely due to Foxe needing to balance character development and action within such a small amount of real estate (four issues isn’t a lot of space!), which makes a collected edition the perfect way to read this hair-raising tale.
Beyond a terrifying threat lurking in the form of giant spiders, Foxe does a great job of crafting human stories that can live on their own. The story explores themes of social inequality, addiction, and trauma, adding depth and complexity that isn’t always found in your standard horror series. The main characters, Vin and Reynolds, start out as potential caricatures yet Foxe is careful to give them ample development which allows them to grow into more nuanced protagonists. Even Reynold’s adorable canine companion Possum gets some impressive character development! The story is aided by intriguing supporting characters who actually have a role in the book’s end game.
The visuals within this book are not just impressive, they will literally make your skin crawl! Kowalski's designs are perfectly suited to the tone of the story. His linework is disjointed and expressive, and his use of shadows and detailing is masterful. The spiders are truly grotesque every time they appear, and Kowalski's artwork brings them to life in all their horrific glory. There is a sense of realism in how Kowalski draws the arachnids that differentiates them just enough from the other visuals on the page that makes them seem all the more frightening. His scenery is drawn with vivid details — I found myself particularly impressed with how buildings’ bricks were textured in the background.
This was all complemented by Simpson's colors, which contributed to the overall visual identity of the book. The colors reflect the dark and gritty versions of the New York City our characters call home. However, Simpson also uses bright bursts of color when necessary, which creates a striking and effective contrast during some of the most high-octane moments. Kowalski and Simpson combine for a beautifully drawn from cover to cover, but the climactic scene in Chapter Four offers some of the most visually arresting panels in the book.
Overall, All Eight Eyes is an excellent action-horror story that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. As someone who likes to think they’re not scared of spiders, I felt moments of itchiness and unease multiple times due to the exceptional artwork. It is a well-written and well-drawn story with complex characters and a truly nightmarish threat.
Rating: 8/10
