A Concert To Die For: Reviewing Scout Comics’ `Killchella’ #1

If you were ever willing to die to see your favorite band in concert, Killchella may be the series for you.

A play on words on the Coachella music festival, Killchella opens with a couple being murdered by a mysterious woman. The story then shifts to a group of friends from Los Angeles who are camped out in a motel waiting to see their favorite singer in concert the next night.

Beyond a couple of murders that bookend this initial issue, most of the issue focuses on developing the characters of the LA beautiful people. Though it seems like a wasted effort – initially at least – as this group is fairly unremarkable. The three women include one who has made it relatively big as a TV star. There are a couple of meathead jocks who behave exactly as expected. Throw in the star’s agent and a photographer for good measure. The real estate given here doesn’t feel justified given these characters provide zero surprises for the reader.

Writer Mario Candelaria is trying to create a horrifying story of human sacrifice, but this first installment doesn’t hint enough at the greater story. The pacing is off because of the immense amount of time introducing us to characters we don’t really like and probably never will. The greater story sounds interesting. So let’s get to it!

Serg Acuna’s artwork has been influenced by manga, which still feels appropriate to this story. As with the story, though, aside from the murders he’s just relegated to drawing pretty people. It’s not bad to look at, but it isn’t going to make you run out to pick up the next issue.

There is an interesting story here that the creative team needs to find sooner or later. The next issue isn’t scheduled to come out until January. That runs the risk of readers forgetting the pages and pages of exposition they have devoted to this issue. Time is ticking – let the band play.

Killchella #1 is now available for purchase.