Steve Niles’ Strange Cases

Issue 3

"White Fur"

Written by Dan Wickline

Drawn by David Hartman

Published by D2 Comics and Image Comics

The monster hunters of Wolcomb Manor are taking some quiet time for themselves. Ivy has a date, Mr Astan has an appointment and Greg has too much time on his hands, which is bad news for Ivy'ss date. Until, that is, he gets his next job...

Created by Steve Niles and published in the slimline format, meaning that each issue is sixteen pages of concentrated, self-contained story with back matter also provided in some cases, Strange Cases has the look, feel and accessibility of one of the best TV shows not on the air right now, Supernatural.  There's the same easy, unforced banter between the characters, the same combination of the mundane and the horrific and the same genuine compassion at the centre of the story.

Dan Wickline's script not only gives the sideline characters their moment in the sun (The hapless Ludon is particularly fun) but also brings a deft, gentle touch to the leads.

Greg, drawn with wonderful Bruce Campbell-esque droll by David Hartman is both a supremely confident and a supremely human leading man whilst Alana Burrows, this issue's supporting player is a well realised and coherent female character who manages to be tough, strong, driven and feminine all at once. Which, for sixteen pages, is pretty impressive.

However, this is one of those all too rare books where the two halves of the creative team really complement one another. Hartman's style is one part animated to one part grizzly detail and his action sequences are kinetic, fluid and exciting to read. The creatures at the heart of the book are particularly impressive too, with their hulking size and power emphasising exactly how much trouble Greg and Alana are in. The art is open, expressive and welcoming and along with the script, turns this into a real treat.

This is something that horror fans, regardless of whether or not they've ever read comics before, will enjoy. It's pacy, it’s incident heavy and crucially it focuses in on the very human people in genuinely unique situations. Dean Winchester, I suspect, would approve and I can think of few recommendations higher than that.

Alasdair Stuart