Stranger Things #1
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Story: Jody Houser
Pencils: Stefano Martino
Inks: Keith Champagne
Colors: Lauren Affe
Letters: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover: Tomm Coker
Connected Back Cover: Fruiz
Most people know Stranger Things as a two-season, hit TV show on Netflix. It is a favorite binge-watch with each new season’s release that always inspires a wave of social media, blog, and YouTube posts. Conspiracy theories abound, fans pick characters to love or hate, and it’s just good fun. Created by The Duffer Brothers, the show is a science-fiction, supernatural, horror mash-up influenced by the works of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, and John Carpenter. Now we have been gifted with a graphic adaptation of the Stranger Things story with a 4-issue comic series from Jody Houser, Stefano Martino, Keith Champagne, Lauren Affe, and Nate Piekos.
One thing that struck me right away was the faded, vintage look of the cover and the lettering of the comic title. This is significant as it sets the proper tone for the story. Coker’s imagery reflects two parallel timelines, one with 3 boys playing Dungeons and Dragons and another with a lost boy stalked by a monster. All of the little details, from the handheld radio, to the D&D dice, and the eighties clothing are spot on. Just from the cover alone, I knew these creators were going to get the story right.
Strangers Things #1 seems to loosely follow the plot line of the TV show, but just as any good adaptation will do, it tells the story in a different way. We’re immediately brought into a tense moment of action as Will Byers is chased by an alien form with massive claws. As Will’s thoughts narrate the panels, we follow two timelines; one where Will is playing D&D with his friends, and the other as he is trying to escape the monster. I thought this was the perfect way to tell this story as it shows us how Will is processing the terrifying events around him. He takes courage from his D&D character and tries to use whatever resources are around him in the way a party member of a fantasy campaign would.
In the present timeline, everything is dark and shadowy with a creepy green slime covering the world around him. Everything seems familiar, but just a bit off and he isn’t quite sure what is going on. In the D&D timeline, the colors are brighter, everything feels warm and safe in the company of friends. The fantasy battles aren’t so scary as friends debate the mechanics of the game, and the creators insert a few panels of juvenile art to illustrate the most famous D&D principle: don’t split the party!
Houser, Martino, and Champagne give us a teaser of one of the story’s most beloved characters, Eleven. The comic doesn’t identify her, but fans of the show are immediately aware of who she is. She appears as an apparition that may be Will’s savior, but as she fades and Will is once again beset by a monster, we’re left on a cliffhanger ending.
One thing I appreciated about this comic is the way the creators balance details that seem familiar to fans of the show with their own creative license. The characters faces are familiar, but not exactly the same as the show’s actors and actresses. The plot line is similar, but not following the exact timeline as the show. These subtle differences make the story viable on its own. However, I think fans of the show would make the most of this comic. Having a sense of where the story is going and who the characters are make the comic a bit more meaningful. You’re already connected to Will and invested in the story. As a result, it doesn’t feel as though you’ve dropped into the middle of this weird moment, as it might for readers who are unfamiliar with the show.
Overall, I really liked this comic. It’s a great media compliment to the show and I’m interested to see what its creators will add to the overall story. Fans of science-fiction, fantasy, D&D, eighties culture, and horror will get into this story. With autumn and Halloween right around the corner, this is the perfect time to jump in!
Frankie Reads
frankiereads@comicattack.net
