The Good
This issue is a slight departure from the other issues. We've been seeing the story in the town of Buckaroo, Oregon, and the search for a missing FBI agent trying to uncover the reason for numerous serial killers coming from there. The young lady, Alice, who has been seen throughout the series, sort of takes the center stage. Alice simply wants to get out of the town. As the narrator in this issue, she gets us up to date on what's gone on in the first five issues. She also has a run in with a pregnant lady who is determined to give birth in Buckaroo.
That's where things get really disturbing.
Joshua Williamson has stated before that he's done a bit of research into serial killers while prepping for this series. It makes sense that a part of that would include those obsessed with the idea and concept of these killers. We hear about them from time to time. You wonder how a killer could have a huge following. In some ways, it's even more disturbing than some of what we've already seen in this series. Williamson could have easily just focused on this part of the story and still deliver a great issue but he then takes it a step further towards the end to really catch you off guard.
Mike Henderson continues his creepy depiction of the story. I often find myself going back through the issue after reading and just admiring the tiny details in certain panels. Henderson mixes things up in the layouts and panels and it gives a great variety during the reading. It's almost hard to imagine someone else drawing the characters of this world.
Which leads us to an interesting back up. Don't stop reading when you get to the letters page. We get a four-page story with art by Dennis Culver. It's another creepy/disturbing one. Culver's art actually makes the NAILBITER world feel a little bigger with a different artist's take on the characters.
The Bad
If you're looking for a direct continuation from the previous issue, you'll have to wait. What happened prior is mentioned but this issue is more of a detour into the town. But it's still a compelling story you won't want to miss.
The Verdict
We've seen what Joshua Williamson is capable of so far in this series but with issue #6, he takes a slight departure to show us another layer of creepiness in the town of Buckaroo, Oregon. Rather than focus directly on the story of a serial killer, we witness another aspect in the fascination with the killers as they gain notoriety. Williamson and Mike Henderson know how to deliver a creepy and disturbing tale. You might feel a slight weird feeling in the pit of your stomach but that's just because Williamson and Henderson are doing their job. Pick up the first trade (also on sale today) if you haven't been keeping up. This is a captivating and disturbing comic without feeling gratuitous. You'll find yourself unable to look away.