Review by Frank Plowright
Wellsville, Indiana in 1982 seems like any other small American town, and like any other small American town there’s a lot bubbling just beneath the surface, which is what Marc Andreyko and Patric Reynolds explore in this resonant horror drama.
Over the first few pages several relevant people are seen. Thomas is selling jewellery to a pawnbroker and on his way home to what’s assumed to be his young daughter, Abby, he passes the office of the local real estate developer. He’s bawling out his son-in-law and employee for failing to secure three shabby properties remaining occupied on a proposed development site. Wayne might not be greatly motivated, but he’s underhand, and the sample art shows the social worker he’s called investigating a property having been told Abby is an at risk child. However, what neither Wayne nor the social worker know is that we’ve already seen Thomas kill for Abby.
Crossroads is a prequel to the events of horror film Let Me In, but stands exceptionally well alone with no reference to the film. In fact the best experience is going to be for readers not knowing about the movie and able to wonder about what’s happening. It’s evident there’s something strange about Thomas and Abby’s relationship, and there are clues before the revelation, but it’s best to remain ignorant as events unfold.
Reynolds brings so much craft and imagination to Crossroads. He delivers dark deeds carried out in moonlight exceptionally atmospherically, creating the shabby accommodation, desolate plains and dark lake in which people operate. He uses likenesses of actors from the film, and these are accomplished, while his efforts are raised by the subtle colouring provided by Dave Stewart.
Andreyko is also imaginative. Using only two cast members and the premise of Let Me In, he supplies a subtle plot leaving readers to join the dots until the carnage of the final chapter. In contrast to the remainder, that’s a rush of action not many survive, and the last panel is a car on the road to Los Alamos. Whether or not you know the film, Crossroads is superior horror well worth investigating.
