Nailbiter

I quite enjoyed this. Nailbiter is a horror series set in the fictional town of Buckaroo where there seems to be some sort of anomaly in that a large number of serial killers are born there. The story so far focuses on an acquitted serial killer known as “Nailbiter” who murders people who bite their nails. (Yes, really.) We meet NSA Agent Nicholas Finch who has rolled into town with secrets of his own and an appointment with an FBI profiler who is working to solve the puzzle of why so many serial killers are born in Buckaroo. What follows is no small amount of murder and mayhem, all beautifully illustrated. There was also a layer of humour in this that was unexpected - including lots of references to Silence of the Lambs.

I felt Volume 1 of Nailbiter was a good setup to the start of this story. We meet the main characters and get to learn a little of their back story. We learn about some of the killers that have been born in town. We meet some of the local townsfolk. Mysteries are talked about. And it leaves us wanting more.

Looking forward to reading Volume 2.

Probably more of a 2.5 for me. Just wasn't very interesting.

Ah, serial killers. The one thing that I am both completely terrified of, and yet utterly fascinated with. I can think of nothing worse than the evil that you don't see coming. A person who blends seamlessly into society, but is nothing but darkness beneath the surface. It might be a bit macabre, but I rather like throwing back the covers and peering under the bed. Straight into the eyes of what scares me most.

Which is why Nailbiter Volume 1: There Will Be Blood soared to the top of my to-read list the minute I read a review of it on a comic website that I frequent. Imagine a place where these killers are born. A place brimming with an unnaturally high count of blood-soaked murderers. That, my friends, is Buckaroo, Oregon. A town that came to life on the page in all its gritty and rundown glory. I admit, I was hooked from the moment my eyes fell on the first full page spread of this graphic novel. It's dark. It's bloody. It's so well done.

I was introduced to NSA Agent Nicholas Finch, a man with his own dark secrets in the past. Williamson does such a great job of creating a character that, despite any darkness he might have inside him, is just too good of a person to dislike. I was rooting for him the entire time. His need to find his friend, his inability to let any person that he had the chance to save die, all of it made him a character that I could get behind. As the mystery grew around him, I found myself worrying more and more about his well being. Nailbiter isn't a happy story by any means. People die. Violence is normal. I just wanted Finch to survive it all.

The absolute only reason I gave this 4, rather than 5, stars is because I really believe that there could have been a little more tied up at the end. I'm all for clues and cliffhangers. For the most part, Nailbiter excels at laying out just enough to keep you eagerly following along. However the ending made me a little cranky. Yes, I know this is only the first volume. There's more out there. I just wanted a little more resolution. Still, this is a great first volume! You can bet I'll be back for more.