Finally, there are so many threads that could be followed, setting up what seems to be an amazing story moving forward. Without giving too much away, the mystery introduced in the final pages of the comic opens up a whole new avenue of possibilities. The world building is well-paced, and I'm excited about where the story might go. Read Full Review

The Cull is completely unlike anything else on the comics rack right now. It flawlessly engages the emotions on a level thats kind of difficult to manage with most traditional comics. Thompson approaches the story with a steady and patient hand as the reality of the terror begins to bleed in around the edges of the panel. The richly textured mood of a thoughtfully-rendered ensemble horror story begins to assemble itself in a promising first issue for Thompson and De Iulis.  Read Full Review

Debut issues have a lot of work to do, and some make it look easier than others, which is what The Cull #1 accomplishes with a pitch-perfect first issue of this horror-adventure series. A trio of creators with such distinct and powerful styles that are able to bring them together seamlessly to create something engaging, deep, and fun. Read Full Review

If you want something with horror, mystery and adventure all wrapped up in one gorgeous package then look no further. The Cull #1 from Image Comics is sure to be another hit on comic store shelves this week and many weeks to come. Read Full Review

The Cull shows what three creators working in beautiful harmony can create when pointed in the right direction. It may be mostly introduction but what an engrossing intro it is. Read Full Review

'The Cull' is haunting, honest, and unrelentingly gorgeous in its debut issue. Full of humanity and cosmic horror in equal measure, this creative team has already crafted a compelling mystery and a friend group that I want to learn more about. Read Full Review

As a mystery comic series that is (currently) slated to be five issues long, the timing could not be more perfect as summer winds down and the Halloween season begins to get closer. There is enough tension and unknown that is on par with an episode of the Twilight Zone making for an exciting series to follow. Read Full Review

The art in this issue is absolutely gorgeous. I love the style and the way it beautifully progresses the story along with a sense of visual grace and glorious detail. Read Full Review

An opening chapter with compelling characters that teases something remarkably monstrous coming our way. Read Full Review

This could probably be called a slow-burner of a first issue, but Thomson and De Iulis don't waste a single panel along the way, introducing us to a relatable group of friends, each with their own drama, quirks and trauma, and slotting them into a shockingly unexpected situation. With Thompson continuing to go from strength to strength as a writer and De Iulis delivering a striking visual style, The Cull has the potential to be the next big hit from Image Comics, and is a new series you really owe it to yourself to pick up. Read Full Review

For all its strengths, the book has a few minor weaknesses. The biggest offender is that its over far too quickly! All kidding aside, an early scene that introduces the character of Kaite, alludes to her own family struggle but rather than build some type of mystery, it just comes off as vague with dialogue that lacks the authenticity prevalent throughout the rest of the book. Its a minor quibble, easily forgotten once the story gets going. And while it may be too soon to tell what kind of story Thompson and De Iulis are telling here or where The Cull will ultimately lead (or what it even is) but this issue is certainly unlike anything on the shelves and will likely be surprising readers up to the very end. I suggest getting in on the ground floor now! Read Full Review

With this first issue readers can expect to find many opportunities to pick apart each scene that De Julis' art offers. Read Full Review

Kelly Thompson and Mattia De Iulis hit a home run, delivering a captivating opening chapter for their mini-series with The Cull #1. The trust Thompson and Iulis have in each other as the creative team shines as much as the characters. Each of our five leads has their own story that makes their dynamic as a friend group when they meet up to be even more engaging. This makes the larger-than-life adventure the cast begin to be even more captivating. It all comes together for a series that is a must-read. Read Full Review

The Cull #1 is a really solid start. There's the quibble that there wasn't much more pushback about what the individuals do at the end, but where's the fun in that? It's a debut that gives us some adventure but also emotional heart as well. Read Full Review

The first issue of The Cull does a lot to introduce the characters, providing the smallest possible hook for the massive sci-fi adventure that awaits in the rest of the series. Read Full Review

Art and dialogue off the chain.
Immediately wanted to read the next issue.
Very strong debut issue from Kelly Thompson.

*SPOILER FREE ADVANCE REVIEW*
The Cull #1 by Kelly Thompson, art by Matia De Iulis, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Kelly Thompson’s next Indie comic, and it does not disappoint.

We’re introduced to a group of friends as they are getting ready to meet up to go shoot a short film near mysterious large black rocks by the beach. These mysterious rocks have spurred legends in their hometown, and have even brought some fame. While the group thinks they’re there to do something fun before they each go their separate ways after the summer, there’s one of them whose secret motive for being there will plunge them all into a horror filled meet up they could have never expected.

I was hooked from the first page as you could feel the tension and darkness immediately beginning to build. Throughout the story you never quite feel safe as you’re expecting something to pop out from the shadows at any moment. It’s a lot of fun feeling like you’re watching a horror movie in the dark. This is where Matia De Iulis’ art truly shines. His art has a realism to it, almost photorealistic, it makes each scene come alive. There’s so much detail in the art that it elevates character personalities and emotions introduced narratively.

It’s hard to differentiate characters and give them their own voice when dealing with a group. This is especially true when you’re dealing with a first issue and having limited pages. However, Kelly does a wonderful job of bringing out each character’s personality. We get a good idea of who is who, the challenges they’re facing in life, and even personal issues they’re having.

I’ve mentioned before that Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is a master letterer, and it’s no different here. Word bubbles and text never obstruct a scene and they seamlessly transition from character to character. Lastly, the font, color, and bold lettering enhance the dialogue as characters’ emotions and situations change.

The Cull is out next Wednesday friends, and I highly recommend it if you’re a fan of horror and mystery. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! more

Very good start as an intriguing introduction from Thompson. Mattia de Lulis's art is from another world.

https://youtu.be/u0Eg8dfqF4k

Review at (2:42) in video

Kelly Thompson is always hit or miss for me. The artwork here is incredible. Very cinematic. But aside from introducing a few characters, nothing really happens. I'm reserving my review of this series until it gets a little deeper into story.

Good set up issue. Nice revelation with a promise of more to come.

In between her stops at Marvel (Captain Marvel) & DC (Birds of Prey), Kelly Thompson has somehow found time to write The Cull, a 5-issue sci-fi horror series from Image Comics. Joining Thompson are Mattie De Iulis on art and colors and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou handling lettering. The series kicks off this week with the release of THE CULL #1.

The issue is HEAVY on (really good) character development without any real plot development. The character Lux gets a few scenes of brilliant character building, one driven completely by the art and the other through a dialogue where we learn she’s dealing with an abusive adult male figure and an alcoholic mother. Other characters are also given complex backstories. However, if you take away two gorgeous full-page panels in this first issue, you’d be hard pressed to come away knowing that this was a sci-fi horror series. You know a group of teens are heading out at night to explore an area near the beach for unknown reasons and stumble upon something out of the ordinary they weren’t expecting. The slow pacing would be fine if this was an ongoing series, but we only have 4 issues left! I will never doubt Thompson’s ability to tell a story after her awesome on Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Captain Marvel. The different with those is that they all had at least 15 issues for her to develop characters, build a world, and flex her writing muscles.

De Iulis’ art is so distinctive and so beautiful. The visuals look like they’re pulled straight from a high-budget animated movie. Simply stunning in every regard. One of my favorite panels was when one of the characters tripped while walking through the tide causing a splash. The detail on the water is so impressive that it looks real.

Getting back to the two panels I mentioned previously. They’re brief but whoa baby do they give you a tease that there’s a really interesting and visually pleasing story waiting to be told. The first panel appears very early in the book as a flash-forward that shows you the horror that awaits our characters and reminded me of a scene out of the movie Cloverfield. The other panel occurs at the very end as our characters stumble upon an alternate dimension hidden deep inside a cave they find. We get a wide-screen shot of a bright pink ecological-fantasy world that appears enticing, yet we know what trouble is likely lurking within thanks to the other panel.

It’s these two panels that have me dying to know what comes next.

Rating: 7/10 more