PopHorror Let's Get Scared
In July 2016, it was announced that Vertigo would be coming out with a sequel comic to Joel Schumacher’s cult classic The Lost Boys. The first issue of The Lost Boys comic was published on October 12, 2016. The main writer is Tim Seeley, the creator of Hack/Slash, with the art by Scott Godlewski (The Dark & The Bloody). Unlike the two supposed sequels to The Lost Boys, this is a true follow-up that includes the main characters of the classic 1980’s film. We are brought back to Santa Carla with the Emerson clan, the Frog Brothers, Michael’s girlfriend, Star, and her little brother, Laddie.
The story starts off reintroducing characters: Sam is working at the comic book shop while Michael works in a old folks home; a good scene is where he is massaging an old lady’s feet while talking about his relationship with Star. Star was Michael’s love interest in the movie in which he saved her from the leader of The Lost Boys’ David. The reader is also given more history about Grandpa Emerson. He is one of the leaders of the Santa Carla Hunters Union. This really puts in perspective his line at the end of the movie: “One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach; all the damn vampires.”
Grandpa Emerson actually ends up training the Frog brothers to become full-fledged vampire hunters. Edgar’s bad attitude is seen throughout the comic as he is attacked during a simulation hunt, saying “What do you know?! You’re just a crazy old man.” (Seeley, 2016). Alan, however, is a little bit kinder than his brother, offering Grandpa Emerson a root beer. In the next scenes, it is revealed that the Santa Carla Hunters Union is completely made up of old men. The meeting hall is set on fire and attacked by vampires. Do they make it out alive? The last scene is a full page view of the new vampires for the series.”But if there’s one thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach…It’s all the damn vampire hunters.” (Seeley, 2016).
Here are my thoughts on issue one of The Lost Boys comic. This was a building issue. It has been some time since the characters of the original have all been brought back together. Seeley had to establish a continuing story arc for these characters and, in the final pages, the story starts. I feel like the real meat of the story is not going to kick off for a few issues. The artwork by Scott Godlewski is realistic and portrays the characters to a tee from the original movie. Little details can be picked up by the artwork, like Edgar’s red band and Star’s purple jacket. The Lost Boys comic also manages to capture that ’80s feel. I look forward to seeing what is in store for the next issue as a new group of vampires takes the scene.
