Joe Hill's New York Times Bestselling novel, NOS4A2, introduced readers to the terrifying funhouse world of Christmasland, and the mad man who rules there: Charlie Talent Manx III. Now, in an original new comic miniseries, Hill throws wide the candy cane gates to tell a standalone story that is at once both accessible to new readers, and sure to delight fans of the book.
My final impression of this story is that it should be read alone, late at night with the lights dim. The artwork has a surreal demonic quality that is truly horrifying, yet appealing at the same time. The writing is beautiful, yet terrifying. It's like you have entered into conversation with the boogeyman, but you find seduction in his speech. You know you shouldn't but you believe him regardless of what you see around you. Then, you begin to see all those wonderful things he speaks of, and it's within your grasp (CREEPY). I suggest that you buy this issue and the future ones and if you want more (which you will), go out and buy NOS4R2 to read. A new talent has emerged in the horror fiction world and he shares the genes of the horror fiction master. Read Full Review
This opening issue concentrates on backstory and the journey to Christmasland, an amusement parks in the Rocky Mountains. As the series progresses we'll be entering the park which promises to be an even creepier version of Halloweentown's vision of Christmas as seen in "Nightmare Before Christmas". This is not kid-friendly, but it's very good. Read Full Review
Terrifying at its core, horror fans should definitely pick up, "Wraith: Welcome To Christmasland" #1. What's great about this comic book adaptation is that it makes you want to get the novel as well. If you have read the book, you're getting an untold chapter of an epic story. Read Full Review
“Wraith” is only just getting started; where it goes from here will certainly be a sight to see, and something impossible to miss. Read Full Review
For fans of N0S4A2, Wraith is a satisfying Easter egg hunt. For new readers, however, Wraith is an unsettling introduction to a world of horror, and hopefully, this steers people in the direction of Hills' novel. But Wraith is good enough to stand on its own merit, and as a horror story, it carries enough creepiness to make people uncomfortable as we come into the holiday season. Read Full Review
I think the reason Im so disappointed about this being a short-lived miniseries rather than a new Locke & Key sized opus is because the world introduced here (to me, at least, for the first time) is so rich and packed with horrid detail that I want to spend a lot of time in it even if I most definitely wouldnt want to spend any time in Christmasland! At the very least, the excellence of Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland #1 makes me want to check out Joe Hills novel N0S4A2. Read Full Review
There's no time in the past four years I've been reviewing books where I've come across a case of reading an issue that had me feeling so unsure about it. WRAITH made me feel a bit lost. It's like I was invited to a party, but knew no one there. Everyone else seemed to be getting along, but I stood in the corner. When it really boils down to it though, this is a really interesting issue, enough so where even though I feel lost, I'd say it's pretty darn good. Most importantly, I WANT to continue reading it. I'm usually not at a loss for words when I review a comic, but I am with WRAITH, but I consider it a good thing. WRAITH is a weird book and it left a weird impression on me. Overall, I highly recommend this issue. Read Full Review
The best thing I can say about the book is that I'm sure many will enjoy it and really love the character of Manx. I just don't seem to really like the person he is and what he stands for.So that puts me in the situation of how do you grade a book that does everything it wanted to do and is well written, but just does not appeal to me? I put it like this, it's a great book if you like the style it's going for and an average read if you don't. The book is never dull it just does not have the hooks you want it to have. Read Full Review
I've been a card carrying member of the Joe Hill groupies since his releases of 20th Century Ghosts and IDW's Locke & Key. The guy can write. Comics, novels, whatever. There were some hiccups here and there, but he's earned my faith. I'm committed for the series. Read Full Review
Wraith is a dense read with a lot of narrative and script which can really dominate the panels on the page. This will no doubt please fans of the novel NOS4A2 and it is well written but with so much packed in it feels like its a page or two short of artwork. Its a fine start though. Read Full Review
I didnt feel lost once as a result of being unfamiliar with the novel. Were it not for some information about the story at the end, I wouldnt have known the comic was a prequel at all. Is this required reading for horror fans? Hardly but its a good jump-on point to what seems to be an interesting yarn. I may just tune in for its second installment. Read Full Review
Not terrible, but certainly not the high level of craftsmanship you'd expect after reading Locke and Key. I won't be back for issue 2.
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