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REVIEW: Return to Sleepy Hollow #1
4.32/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: R
Creative Team:
Writer: Casey Gilly
Artist: Savanna Mayer
Colors: Dearbhla Kelly
Letters: Valeria Lopez
Cover: Audrey Estok
Editor: Riley Farmer
Publisher: IDW
Ratings:
Story: 4.4 Stars
Artwork: 4.3 Stars
Cover Artwork: 4.4 Stars
Dialogue: 4.5 Stars
Mechanics: 4.0 Stars
Editing: 4.3 Stars
About the Book:
It’s been 15 years since Ichabod Crane left Sleepy Hollow with Katrina Van Tassel and young Jonathan Masbate in tow. After some time Katrina Van Tassel returned. Once back in Sleepy Hollow she established a funeral home, feeling that was the best thing she could do with her family connections to help the community.
A series of murders have left a parade of corpses with unusual injuries onto her table. It’s not as bad as what took place all those years ago; but something is awry. Katrina’s daughter Lotte writes to Ichabod, explaining the situation. Curiosity and duty force Ichabod Crane to return to Sleepy Hollow.
Reader’s Notes:
I loved Tim Burton’s rendition of “Sleepy Hollow” in the late 90’s. The plot and set designs were incredible. Christopher Walken’s portrayal of the Headless Horseman was timeless. I have a figure of him on his steed that graces my mantel every Halloween.
The entire cast was perfect for the movie. Depp was superb. Meryl Streep as the villain was a fun choice. Christina Ricci…. At one was one of my celebrity crushes. I was biased on that front. I still believe her portrayal of Katrina Van Tassel made that character her own.
I picked up this issue at my local comic book store hoping that the story would take place in the same universe. It took a while for the lightbulb moment that confirmed it. At that point I did a happy dance and started over. I was trying to mentally recall as many minute details from the film as possible, playing detective trying to determine who the villain is, and looking for Easter Eggs.
Writing a sequel for an established hit is a daunting task. The writer has the benefit of having a cadre of characters that have already been created to pull from, as well as an established setting. After that they are thrown to the wolves. Anything they do regarding relocating the setting has to have a plausible reason. Character absences have to have an explanation that fans/readers are willing to accept.
Look at the “Star Wars” franchise with Episode I. Yes, there were some fun and exciting moments. Darth Maul almost skewering a kid that he doesn’t even know with a lightsaber gave us a whole new level of evil in a Sith Lord. On the other side of that coin we had Jar Jar Binks. Which do fans complain about more, Gilley made the plot for “Return to Sleepy Hollow” fold in nicely as a sequel to the “Sleepy Hollow” movie. There are no moments that make a reader raise an eyebrow and call, “Shenanigans.”
I liked the artwork on the cover. The portrait style piece is a perfect way to portray Ichabod Crane. He’s stoic. He isn’t phased by anything. He’s exactly what Sleepy Hollow needs to get to the bottom of who is behind these murders.
Mayer and Kelly’s work on the internet pages brings the story to life and pulls the reader into the pages. I loved how the work was vivid without crossing over the line to being gratuitously gory.
Lettering comics is one of the most thankless jobs out there. If the work looks great, the letterer is not thought of. They did their job, as expected. If the letterer makes a mistake it’s noticed by all and critics come out of the woodwork. Lopez did a magnificent job with this book and deserves to be praised.
As a geek on a budget I believe “Return to Sleepy Hollow” #1 is a must read for anyone that enjoyed the Tim Burton movie in the 90’s. It uses excellent artwork and mechanics to grab the reader’s attention and say, “Remember me?!” This title has been long awaited and much deserved by fans. Enjoy.
Thanks for reading!
Until next time, gang!
