There are moments when you are reading a comic book and the art smacks you across the face, making you wonder why you haven’t followed this artist before. That is the case with Filipino artist Mark Torres and the five-issue Image Comics series “Cold Spots.”
Torres has been working professionally in comics for while now on titles such as “Judge Dredd” for Dark Horse and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” for IDW. He has been evolving, but he has never had a truly definitive art style until the crestor-owned “Cold Spots.” This is a good thing because Torres’ art for “Cold Spots” is spectacular. Starting from the Mike Mignola-ish vibe, he goes for a very angular attack with diluted colors. His panels are moody and attempt to trick the eye. It’s perfect for the story being told here.
Written by the ever-busy Cullen Bunn (“X-Men: Blue,” “Deadpool” and “Harrow Country,” among many others), “Cold Spots” is a spooky mystery that begins when Dan Kerr sets off across the country to find his missing wife and child. But his quest is literally haunted by ghosts who may be chasing him. All this is framed by a preternatural cold that chills everything in Dan’s way. What is the connection between Dan and the ghosts? It may just be his daughter Grace, but how and why?
Why are the dead after them? Why is it getting so cold? And will Dan be able to get away after all this is done?
Having started in August, “Cold Spots” # 5, the final issue, comes out on December 19.
Bunn’s story fits Torres’ style but the art is the best thing about the series. Perhaps the best example is the fantastic covers courtesy of Torres. The cover art is complex and distinctive. This hot performance on “Cold Spots” heralds the arrival of Torres as a true force in comic books and the idea of what projects lies ahead for Torres is tantalizing.
“Cold Spots” # 1-4 is available at local comic book stores or through Comixology.com.