Comic Review: ‘Butcher with a Smile #1’

Butcher with a Smile #1 review
'Butcher with a Smile #1' - Cover Artist: Oli Wharton

Butcher with a Smile #1 is the first comic in a planned five-part series from creator and writer Tom Guilfoyle, co-creator and artist Matt Fair, and cover artist Oli Wharton.

The comic follows two FBI detectives, Agent Grey and Agent Taylor, who take on the stranger cases taking place in New York. During issue #1, we are introduced to their new foe, a female serial killer leaving behind gruesomely mutilated dead bodies. The victims have cuts on their face, so they appear to be smiling. When a witness comes forward and claims that the killer is not human, but in fact demon, the agents try and figure out what they are dealing with so they can end the killing spree.

Fans of The X-Files will, of course, immediately be reminded of Scully and Mulder, which the creators do acknowledge as inspiration. The story is also based on the Japanese legend of Kuchisake-Onna, a malevolent spirit who maims people after asking “Am I pretty?” Butcher with a Smile #1 does well at paying homage to the source materials while still making the story feel fresh and original. It also does well at adapting the Kuchisake-Onna tale for modern-day New York. The figure is hauntingly creepy and I genuinely look forward to seeing her story and crimes revealed more and more as the agents continue investigating.

The cover, art, and coloring are very well-done, including the moment of horror when we see the killer in action. The lead characters are interesting, witty, and the story and mystery behind it all is compelling. Tom Guilfoyle confirmed that Butcher with a Smile is just the first case for the agents, and I look forward to seeing what other investigations the duo stumble into in the future.

If you are a fan of supernatural-themed detective stories, definitely give Butcher with a Smile a read. Issue #1 can be purchased in both physical (available here) and digital (available here) formats.

‘Butcher with a Smile #1’ – Writer: Tom Guilfoyle, Artist: Matt Fair

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