The first issue of Death Head is a breath of fresh air for the horror genre. While horror books are often plagued with worn out tropes and gimmicks, nothing in the Keller brothers first effort feels gimmicky. The pacing of the first issue is natural and helps build tension. The setting of the main story speaks to a fantasy-fear many can relate to, i.e., finding an abandon building in the woods. Although this setting feels familiar, there are still surprises around every corner. For instance, the slow realization our heroes have fallen into a blast furnace is terrifying in every sense of the word. Finally, like the settings and set pieces, the main antagonist introduced in the first issue is both familiar and enigmatic. Throughout history, the image of the plague mask has evoked a sense of intrigue and hopefulness coupled with the cold reality of pending doom. One has to wonder whether the characters in Death Head will face the same fate. The only certainty is that following them to the end of their journey will be an exciting worthwhile read. more