Words: Dan Panosian
Art: David Ferracci
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
For everyone who loves the Wild West, spooky folklore, or had dreams of being the one person on the ranch who could tame a wild stallion, The Dirt Beneath the Devil is here for you. Written by Dan Panosian and illustrated by David Ferracci, this first issue does an amazing job of gently placing the reader into a familiar setting, then slowly transforming that comfort into something darker.
It’s 1891. Our main character June has been called out to Missouri for the reading of her estranged father’s will. Easy, right? Unfortunately, her father’s last wish is for her to take the same trail through the wilderness that he did, which is a tough ask for a city girl who’s never been on a horse. The next twist? She’s not alone. June is accompanied by her half brother, her father’s widow, her father’s mistress and illegitimate child, as well as two of her father’s business associates. The set up is reminiscent of Knives Out or Clue within a Western setting, and has readers scared to trust anyone from the get-go.
The third twist? I bet you thought I was kidding with that wild stallion thing earlier, but no. Issue #1, Cloven, also introduces us to Hendido, June’s father’s stallion with a bad attitude. The art really shines with Hendido; even without facial expressions, there is never any doubt what this horse is thinking—or scheming. While he fights against anyone else who tries to ride him, he’s docile and obedient for June. He’s also, as we see by the end of the comic, loyal to her from his ears all the way down to his odd, cloven hooves.
The first issue takes us through the beginning of the group’s journey as they travel to the homestead for the reading of the will. Panosian does an incredible job building tension between the characters, lacing tons of friction into a few short interactions. Some, like the half brother and his mother, are outright hostile toward June. Others, such as the mistress and illegitimate child, seem timid and unassuming.
But you know what they say about assuming.
This installment really showcases all the important things needed in a first issue. We have a solid foundation with the spunky heroine and her animal companion. We have the mystery as we wonder what the deal was with June’s father, and how well all these people knew him. We have the conflict that layers mistrust, since everyone in the group is vying for a piece of the fortune. Then, there’s what makes this issue special, which is the thin undercurrent of something wrong. At first, a reader might be tempted to think it’s just the danger of June traveling alone with strangers. But as the story progresses, we see a glimpse of the coming horror and supernatural, a tiny taste of the wild things in store.
And the cliffhanger? Impeccable. Issue #1 ends in such a way that readers will immediately be reaching for issue #2, if only to see what exactly this demon horse is going to do.
Overall, The Dirt Beneath the Devil is a great choice for readers looking for something with Wild West vibes and a supernatural flare. I’m very excited—and nervous—to see how exactly this spooky adventure goes, and how many of these characters survive all the way to the end.
If the horse dies though, they’ll be hearing from my lawyers.
