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What's Happening: Doomed to walk the Earth incessantly, Jack O'Lantern claims souls for the devil every All Hallow's Eve, and on October 31st 1785, Jack claims a particularly worthy soul...worthy of Hell's embrace that is.
The Writing: Writer Ty Thomas Luckman turns what really could be a boring, oft repeated tale of terror surrounding everyone's favorite spooky holiday Halloween into something more frightening and interesting than it could have been. Set in Virginia of 1785, Luckman introduces us to some very unsavory characters. They are fictional, but are portrayed quite realistically as far as their language and outlook on slavery and the politics of the time is concerned. One particular soul reveling in the Harvest-tide festivities is particularly evil though. He's committed a horrific crime and his soul is ripe for harvest itself. Luckman does an excellent job building up to the ultimate payoff, but doesn't quite end the story there. After all Jack O'Lantern's torment isn't over until the Devil says it's over.
The Art: Dave Mims does a great job portraying the period look of the story, but his real strength lies in his impressionistic portrayals of the characters' visages and the surrounding country side and cityscape. Often drawing outside the lines (Jack's pumpkin lantern's mouth often exists outside of the pumpkin itself), Mims creates a haunting dream-like atmosphere that is completely fitting of a tale that takes place on All Hallow's Eve, particularly one in 1785.
The Verdict: All Hallow's Eve #1 is definitely a story for the season, but can be honored in the hearts of those truly dedicated to the spirit of Halloween all year round. It's that creepy, and good.
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