Why does lightning always crash around Vincent Price? It’s a very cool effect, but it’s just funny that the guy attracts lightning like Godzilla holding an umbrella. And though our dearly beloved Price left this world back in 1993, not long after bedazzling us as The Inventor of Edward Scissorhands, he still brings an electric feeling to our hearts and smiles every time we see him. In the world of horror and in film, he lives forever, haunting our dark houses and narrating our inner fears.
So for Bluewater Comics to bring master of creepy dialogue to their house of ideas was sort of a mixed bag for some, but I think the reason was right as he’s just as much an icon to the horror world as Freddy or Jason are today. Moreso in the sense of luring the viewer into something horrible like The Crypt Keeper from TALES FROM THE CRYPT, but only prettier of course. And like that cackling ghoul with the killer laugh, Vincent Price uses his distinguished speech to set the stage for each “terrifying” tale in VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS. That is, terrifying if you’re 12 years old. VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS is not quite mature enough for adults in my opinion. I think Vincent is also “the actor” in this modern reworking of the Bluebeard fairy tale, portraying the usual mad doctor role, but I’m not exactly sure as artist Giovanni Timpano doesn’t exactly capture a likeness. Cover and Intro/Outro artist Joel Robinson appears to get it perfectly, which I’m guessing could be from photo-realism art taken from past movies or photos. I would have enjoyed this book a whole lot more if Robinson did the entire book this way, but I can see the contrast being necessary to separate the storyteller from the scary tale. But again, I’m guessing this series is aimed more toward teenagers than adults.
The writing is good, taking the classic tale of Bluebeard and turning it on its ear rather than recycling the hundred or so renditions before it. In place of a wife is a son, whom is being tested by his mad scientist father when he brings him down to the basement to meet a robotic dog named Canus. If he can win the trust of Canus, the son will be rewarded by the father. And so the son meets the robotic dog, and wins his trust with ease. From there, the usual tale kicks in where the father must go away and leave the child to stay in a large mansion by himself, but also, never to go into a room he is forbidden to see. Like most children, that’s the first place the son heads to, and the secret of the room is revealed in new, but very familiar fashion. It’s tricky, but works nicely if you stop and think about the original fairy tale for a second. Writer Chad Helder pulled off a nice little magic trick with this one, and with Vincent Price peeking his head around the corners of this book, one can’t help but to like its youthful, electric feel.
GRADE: 
CONTINUE READING? These are fun to read, especially for younger audiences looking to get a taste of horror, and a great introduction to horror legend, Vincent Price.
VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS #4 - Written by Chad Helder, Art by Giovanni Timpano and Joel Robinson
Published by Bluewater Comics http://www.bluewaterprod.com/
