Indie Comic Review: The Silver Coin #1

Review: The Silver Coin #1

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Art and Letters: Michael Walsh

Created By: Chip Zdarsky, Michael Walsh, Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, and Kelly Thompson

Review by: Kendra Hale

Summary

Horror stories are my favorite things. The ability to take something that is not in the least bit scary, and make it terrifying and chilling is a masterful feat. The Silver Coin promises that and so much more, with an overwhelming amount of talent in it. Focused on a single silver coin that is far more than it seems, we get the tale of a band known as Running Red in The Silver Coin #1.

Set in 1978, in a local bar, Running Red is a band that has been fighting a war of rock versus disco. The group consists of their lead, Ryan, as well as Ashley and Joe. Empty showrooms have them questioning just what it will take to have their sound heard. Rummaging through some of Ryan’s Mother’s belongings left behind, Ashley finds a silver coin. Not having a guitar pick available, Ryan uses the coin to play their sound. And what a sound indeed. 

Doors seem to be opening for the band once the crowd hears their music, but the attention to the band is not the only thing changing. Something is wrong with Ryan, and the differences only grow. The byline says that a curse must feed, and if this is the case… there is a buffet to be had. 

Positives

The Silver Coin features different moments in time where the cursed object has played a part in something horrific. In “The Ticket“, the writing of Chip Zdarsky gives us a short, but thrilling tale, and when matched with Michael Walsh’s artistic skills, there was nothing these two couldn’t bring to life. Michael’s lettering skills are placed fully in the forefront and steal the show for me as the lyrics are placed so well as to be prevalent, but not overtake the scenes. 

That is something that can be said of any part of this story. What could have been just a quick flash of an issue, became something magical and living. It gave readers what they needed with brilliant storytelling and artwork. 

Negatives

Something that continues to be an issue with me — that I have to wait for the next one. 

Verdict

The Silver Coin promises to be something special in the horror genre. Intriguing writing that is also whip-smart. Artwork that is gritty and dirty in all the right ways. This book delivers. I cannot wait to see the next selection, which features Kelly Thompson with Michael Walsh. Moving forward to the 90’s at a teen summer camp is sure to yield quite the interesting result when a bullied teen fights back. 

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