The Voice Said Kill #1 Delivers a Gritty Bayou Thriller with Haunting Art

by

The news about Si Spurrier’s upcoming comic book is worth noticing. A versatile author renowned for his ability to seamlessly combine thought-provoking genre concepts with intricate character development, as seen in works like BOOM! Studios’ Coda and his critically acclaimed stints on DC’s John Constantine: Hellblazer and The Dreaming, Spurrier consistently offers intelligent and emotionally impactful stories. With artist Vanesa R. Del Rey, recognized for her evocative work in comics such as Image’s Redlands and BOOM!’s Hit due to her mastery of atmosphere and lighting, this collaboration generates a great deal of anticipation. Their new Image Comics miniseries, The Voice Said Kill, not only lives up to these expectations but effectively utilizes their collective skills, resulting in a debut that is visually captivating and narratively gripping, all presented with a skilled sense of rhythm.

Title #1: “Sergeant Burgau’s Solitary Vigil at Corbeaumort Wildlife Refuge”

In this opening, we are introduced to Sergeant Burgau who serves at the Corbeaumort Wildlife Refuge. As she nears the end of her pregnancy and is only a month away from delivery, she finds herself standing alone after her entire team succumbs to severe food poisoning. Her solitude, however, far from tranquil, demands that she deal with alligator poachers, the formidable matriarch of the local moonshine scene, Mrs. Watters, and the distressing revelation that Watters’ volatile son, Buck, has disappeared in the swamps following his release from prison.

In “The Voice Said Kill,” Spurrier’s writing masterfully plunges readers into the distinctive atmosphere of the bayou, a feat achieved through dialogue that authentically captures the region’s tones, accents, and idiosyncrasies. This authenticity gives the story’s world a sense of reality and lived-in quality, heightening the tension as danger lurks just beyond the horizon. Furthermore, Burgau’s impending motherhood is skillfully integrated into the narrative, creating a palpable tension between her maternal instincts and the dangerous environment that threatens both her and her unborn child. Every choice she makes, every effort she exerts, and every risk she takes is magnified by her pregnancy, placing her in a precarious position where personal safety and professional responsibility clash relentlessly.

The captivating artwork by Vanesa R. Del Rey significantly enhances the narrative of ‘The Voice Said Kill’. With an extended 32-page canvas dedicated solely to the story, Del Rey skillfully employs this space to draw expansive environmental illustrations that emphasize the geographical distinctiveness of the Corbeaumort Wildlife Refuge. Her impressionistic approach transforms the Louisiana swamp into a living character, a looming entity of tangled roots and shadowy waters that suffocates the characters with its oppressive presence. Consequently, vast landscape panels portray the swamp not merely as a backdrop, but as an omnipresent adversary.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d like to highlight one striking aspect of Del Rey’s masterpiece, “The Voice Said Kill”: her groundbreaking paneling technique. Instead of following conventional storytelling methods, she skillfully employs components from within each scene as dividers, creating an eerie contrast akin to the ominous Louisiana swamps that permeate the narrative.

For instance, in a particular sequence, the panels are distinctly sectioned off by wisps of cigarette smoke trails, offering a fresh and captivating perspective. This inventive use of comic book language not only keeps the reader hooked but also maintains an unsettling tension that perfectly echoes the story’s ominous undertones.

John Starr’s use of colors effectively enhances Del Rey’s unique artistic style in “The Voice Said Kill,” reinforcing the Impressionist feel of the story. However, at times, the decision to employ a muted color scheme can interfere with the clarity of the narrative, making certain panels somewhat confusing due to Del Rey’s heavy shading and the blend of dark greens and browns. This is a minor issue that might be intentional, given the artistic objectives, but it does result in moments of visual complexity. Overall, “The Voice Said Kill” #1 is an exceptional first issue, offering a compelling fusion of a character-driven, literary crime script and stunning artwork. It’s a gritty, intense, and indelible beginning to a series that fans of sophisticated thrillers should not overlook.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

How did you find book number 1 of “The Voice Said Kill“? Are you eagerly awaiting more installments? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/10-best-tv-shows-based-on-image-comics-ranked/embed/#

Read More

2025-07-23 17:09