Abattoir #1–6 (2010) – Comic Review & Analysis
📚 Genre
Supernatural Horror, Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Set against the eerie backdrop of suburban America in the late 1980s, Abattoir weaves supernatural elements into a grounded horror-mystery tale, exploring themes of trauma, obsession, and the darkness lurking within domestic spaces.
👤 Main Characters
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Richard Ashwalt – A dedicated real estate agent and family man, thrown into a disturbing investigation after being assigned to sell a murder house. His sense of reality begins to unravel as he digs deeper.
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Jebediah Crone – A sinister, mysterious elderly man with a disturbing agenda. His obsession with acquiring locations of mass violence ties him to an ominous larger purpose.
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Julia – Richard’s supportive wife, offering a semblance of emotional grounding amidst the chaos.
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Detective Grimes – A no-nonsense law enforcer entangled in the bizarre events surrounding the case.
✍️ Writer
Rob Levin
Known for his knack in writing psychological tension and sharp dialogue, Levin’s storytelling in Abattoir blends noir mystery with chilling horror seamlessly.
🎨 Artist
Troy Peteri (letterer), Bing Cansino (penciler)
Cansino's artwork delivers stark, moody visuals that bring out the dread in each frame, while Peteri's lettering enhances the comic’s tonal balance between realism and the supernatural.
🧑💼 Editor Details
Edited by Matthew Pizzolo, a name associated with experimental horror and alternative comic narratives. His vision keeps the series cohesive and tonally unsettling.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
Publisher: Radical Publishing
Brand Line: Independent, mature-readers-focused imprint.
📅 Release Year
2010
Released as a six-issue miniseries, Abattoir arrived during a time of resurgence in horror comics, standing out with its cinematic pacing and psychological depth.
📖 Brief Plot Summary
When a gruesome family massacre takes place in a picturesque home, real estate agent Richard Ashwalt is assigned the harrowing job of preparing the blood-soaked property for sale. During his evaluation, he encounters Jebediah Crone—a cryptic old man who shows an unnerving interest in the crime scene.
Richard soon uncovers a dark pattern: Crone is buying up homes where horrific murders occurred. The deeper Richard investigates, the more his world spirals into madness, leading him to an unholy secret that ties all the killings together. This isn't just about real estate—it’s about building something… far more sinister.
📌 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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“House of Horrors” (Issues #1–3): Establishes the central mystery and Crone’s unsettling motives.
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“The Collector” (Issues #4–6): Reveals the twisted architecture of Crone’s ultimate plan—a structure stitched together from tragedy, death, and suffering.
🧠 Fan Theories or Interpretations
🔍 Crone’s true nature – Some fans speculate that Jebediah Crone isn’t human at all, but a demon or a supernatural entity feeding off emotional trauma and mass suffering. His obsession with violent crime scenes mirrors folklore surrounding spiritual parasites or architectural necromancers.
🕳️ The “abattoir” as metaphor – Interpreted by readers as a symbol for America’s desensitization to violence, where each home becomes a slaughterhouse of past horrors, hidden behind white picket fences.
⭐ Review Summary
Abattoir delivers a slow-burning horror experience that rewards patient readers. The writing is tight, with Rob Levin creating an engaging mystery while layering in existential dread. Cansino’s art strikes the right tone—claustrophobic interiors, shadowy figures, and blood-slick floors evoke a cinematic feel that horror fans will love.
The character development, particularly Richard’s descent into paranoia, is compelling and disturbingly relatable. While not filled with jump scares, the horror here lingers long after the final page—like a bloodstain that won't wash out.
💀 Verdict: An underrated horror gem that blends crime drama and supernatural terror with unnerving finesse.
🔚 Recommended for fans of: The Sixth Sense, Sinister, Locke & Key, and anyone who loves haunted houses with horrifying secrets. 🏚️👁️🗨️
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
