As a comic that’s inspired by spooky folklore, Proctor Valley Road #1 immediately caught my attention. For those unfamiliar, Proctor Valley Road is a dirt road near San Diego that has been the site of spooky legends for over a century. The lore suggests that if you find yourself on this six-mile road, don’t stop–no matter what. Unfortunately, the characters in Grant Morrison and Alex Child’s story do, in fact, stop.
Set in the 1970s, when said lore really began to spread, the comic opens in the best way possible: teenage girls just trying to make enough money to buy concert tickets to a Janis Joplin show. As someone who recently shelled out some serious funds for a three-day music festival, I felt their pain. August and cousin Rylee, along with Jennie and Cora, are willing to try everything … even leading “professional” haunted tours on Proctor Valley Road for the steep price of $5 per person. On their first impromptu tour, things go (predictably) awry. Their “guests” go missing, and now there is an official investigation.
Proctor Valley Road #1 is a strong first issue. It introduces a cast of likeable characters, a realistic setting, and an intriguing mystery. It’s well-paced, and Jim Campbell’s lettering really helps to move the story along swiftly. Naomi Franquiz’s art is youthful, which works for our young characters, and Tamra Bonvillain’s bold coloring brings everything to life. This first issue leaves me eager for more Proctor Valley Road: I want to know more about this strange road, obviously, but I also want to know if these girls get to see Janis Joplin (*fingers crossed but also envious*).
Proctor Valley Road #1
Credits
- Writers: Grant Morrison, Alex Child
- Illustrator, Cover Artist: Naomi Franquiz
- Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
- Letterer: Jim Campbell
- Publisher: Boom! Studios
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