Basketful of Heads #1 (of 6) Review

Written by: Joe Hill

Illustrated by: Leomacs

Colored by: Dave Stewart

Lettered by: Deron Bennett

Published by: DC Black Label (Hill House Comics)

DC Black Label’s new imprint within an imprint, Hill House Comics, curated by Joe Hill, debuts with its first issue this week and man, was this a fun issue to read and look at. Basketful of Heads is written by Hill himself with art by Leomacs and Stewart. From the first page, we get an idea of what may happen later in the mini-series, but Hill smartly jumps back in time to introduce us to his main protagonist, June Branch, who is visiting her boyfriend, Liam, in Brody Island, Maine, as he finishes his summer job as a sheriff's deputy. 

What Hill does really well throughout this first issue is to set the scene of what is to come. Unlike a lot of comics that would jump directly into the action, Hill gives us a taste with that first page teaser but then takes the time to set the players in his comic. In addition to June and Liam, we also have sheriff Wade Clausen, his wife and son, and four escaped convicts that they are tracking (and who, I’m sure, will come into play later on). 

In addition to this, Hill introduces the Clausen’s house as the scene of the upcoming conflict that is teased in the previews blurb and how some of his Viking artifacts may have a hand to play. 

Thought the issue is light on the horror elements that this imprint has promised, Hill still allows for a longing sense of dread to permeate the comic as he builds to the first confrontation between the convicts and June.

Before this issue, I had previously not seen any artwork from Leomacs but after this first issue, I’m a fan. One of the elements that I enjoy the most in comics is when an artist is able to bring forth personality and emotion within their linework and Leomacs does just that. Hill doesn’t have to tell the reader that June appears as a fun loving free-spirit as we get the sense of that through Leomacs’ use of body language and facial expressions. Contrasted to June, Liam appears to be a little more straightlaced and eager to please (both June and his boss sheriff Clausen) and this is again due to Leomacs art. 

Stewarts choice of color pallet is probably the single best feature of this comic as he utilizes a wide range of yellows and oranges during the daytime scenes and blues and grays at night. It may seem like no-brainers to use these color schemes, but it isn’t always so noticeable how beautiful the colors can be used. Very well done.