New this week from Dark Horse Comics, Grindhouse: Doors Open At Midnight is an eight issue mini series comprised of four two part stories. This issue begins Bee Vixens From Mars, an erotically charged science fiction horror story. Small town USA, there’s a strange beehive in the graveyard, and Arlene and Veronica are obsessed with its golden cargo. The local sheriff is obsessed with getting to the liquor store in time to grab a six pack, not noticing the evil that is taking over the women in his town. Can Garcia, the tough as nails, one-eyed female cop take on this evil force by herself before she’s the only one left?
Alex de Campi has produced a very fun first issue, full of what you would expect from something bearing the name “Grindhouse”. With all of its gore, nudity, and almost sex, this one is definitely not for the kiddies. The script is tight, and moves quickly from beat to beat, with crisp dialog and plenty of action. My only gripe, and it is a small one, is that the characters, so far at least, seem very one dimensional. There isn’t much of an emotional weight or connection to them, but being the first issue that may change.
The artwork by Chris Peterson is fantastic, and perfectly fits the tone of the book. He truly brings this sexually charged gore fest to graphic life, with more blood than a slaughterhouse. His characters are perfectly over exaggerated in their movements and facial expressions, and everything has that perfect bit of campiness that it needs to really work. Nolan Woodward’s colors really help to amp up the action, and bring this blood-soaked tale to life.
Over all, with just the one gripe, I’d call this book a buy on sight. Trust the buzz, Bee Vixens From Mars is a must read for fans of 1970s Grindhouse films, exploitation films, or EC horror comics.