Review: Playthings #1
Story Thus far:
Playthings #1 drops us into the lives of Emma and her recently divorced Mother Alison. Emma’s father appears to have purchased a doll for Emma’s birthday named Mr. Buttons. But Mr. Buttons is no ordinary doll, he is a creepy clown (the one thing that Allison is afraid of) and he talks and at certain times he appears to be alive.
Art:
The panels are very trippy. In fact, it reminds me very much of the art style used by Liam Sharp during the Dematteis run of Man-thing (1997). At time very bright, and at other time dark and grungy, to emote not only the sadness of a broken home, but at other times the eerie spookiness of the strange doll running around the house. The art team for Playthings #1consist of Artist(s):Travis Williamson; Colorist(s):Travis Williamson; Letterer: April Brown. Come for the Alice in Wonderland aesthetic stay for the homages to the Saw franchise. The only issue is that it was difficult in certain panels to understand what the artist was trying to convey.
Script:
The idea of a haunted doll is not terribly original. Jon Howard has done a great job with the 1st issue. Set against the backdrop of a broken home, utilizing the frustration of a bitter divorced Mom who is just doing the best she can. When you state her predicament out loud, we should automatically feel sympathetic toward the protagonist. But she comes off as shrew.
Speculation:
Easy pickings. Clearly set-up as movie script. The speculation community agrees as the Killer clown doll cover is enough as it sold out at 1st and 2nd party sellers. Per Scout PR reps, “Several of Scout’s titles are currently in development including Solar Flare, Henchgirl, Murder Hobo, The Mall, Long Live Pro Wrestling, Smoketown, Loot, Once Our Land, Long Lost and Unikorn”
3 STARS OUT OF 5
Author(s): Jon Clark
Artist(s): Travis Williamson
Colorist(s): Travis Williamson
Letterer: April Brown
Publisher: Black Caravan, a Scout Comics Imprint
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