Nailbiter, written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Mike Henderson, has a relatively simple setup that comes straight out of your classic procedurals. While investigating a series of murders and disappearances in the town of Buckaroo, Oregon, an NSA agent has to team up with a serial killer nicknamed Nailbiter, because he used to eat the nails off his victims. It’s basically Silence of the Lambs, right? Well, wrong.
The Image Comics series is way more wild than that… It’s essentially the ultimate slasher comic, as the titular Nailbiter is just a small — though central — part of the mystery of Buckaroo. Why has the town spawned 16 (and maybe more) of America’s most notorious serial killers? What is their connection to each other? And are they done killing, or is there something more supernatural going on here?
Henderson’s art is the perfect compliment to the campy, over-the-top, often darkly hilarious tone Williamson sets up with the series. And thanks to the rock-solid premise there’s enough to hold on to even as it takes increasingly wild swings as the series continues.
Nailbiter spawned a sequel series Nailbiter Returns, which is also well worth checking out this spooky season. But if you’re looking for a place to start, the great news is that Image has put the first issue online for free — though for readers 18+, only, given the graphic content of the issue.
If you read that and are biting your nails in suspense, wondering what happens next? Pick up the Compendium, which collects the entirety of the original series.
Bonus: Looking for more from Williamson? Check out Dark Ride, also from Image Comics, a fantastic series about a demonic theme park.
It’s spooky season, and you know what that means: time to curl up with a comic book or graphic novel that will scare your socks off. With that in mind, we’re posting a new horror book to check out every day of October, for our 31 Days Of Halloween Comics. Awoooo! Looking for the rest of our picks? Check them out on the Halloween tag.
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