Look up comics writer Hannah Rose May and the first reference will be to her acting career. While May has seen success as an actor, in the past two years she has pivoted to the role of horror writer. Specifically, horror comics writer. If you haven’t noticed, she’s good. It took me too long to notice.
The first time I encountered her work was The Guy in the Chair–or rather, I got a poster signed by May and her co-creator Utkarsh Ambudkar for that Dark Horse book. Though the title The Exorcism at 1600 Penn sounded familiar, I hadn’t picked it up. My first clue should have been that the store hosting the event, Revenge of… Comics and Pinball, had sold out of the book before I got there.
Picking up The Guy in the Chair at House of Secrets, I found a pretty good modern spy thriller with the comedic elements I expected from Ambudkar. Knowing that May had been a guest actor on Ghosts, it’s also fair to say she has a mean sense of humor herself. Good book, though spy thrillers only occasionally make it to my stack.
However, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn stuck in my head as a book I wanted to give a shot. Alternating between an elite Catholic school and the White House, the book reeks with atmosphere thanks to artist Vanesa Del Rey and though a shorter mini-series, strong character development. For those flailing for an explanation of why we are where we are, demonic possession may be as good an excuse as any. Moreover, there’s sharp political observation that carries over to The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace. More on that in a bit.
IDW Dark seems to be where May flourishes most. Writing a movie tie-in could have been rote and fans would still be happy; Smile: For the Camera instead has sharp teeth. Though a prequel to the film franchise, her comic tightens a dark thread that Smile 2 only picked at. Set in the world of high-fashion modeling and definitely during one of the disgusting heights of Jeffrey Epstein, Smile: For the Camera deserves the epithet of “elevated horror.” (Which is just horror, but some people need that marketing hook.) The Smile Demon pales in comparison to the horrible things done to young women in the name of culture.
May blindsided me with The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace. For the first two issues, I really wasn’t sure it was going to tie back to 1600 Penn, and thought oh, cool, an effective little niche. It turns out both mini-series are part of a larger story, one already optioned by Blumhouse/Atomic Monster. I can hear Amit Tishler advising, “this is how you build an IP.”
Speaking of IP…
For her third series at IDW, May and artist Andrea Scalmazzi collaborate for Fatal Fest, “…a harrowing and twisted exploration of obsession with IP, the thirst for fame and Hollywood’s ruthless commodification of art. Survival horror collides with culturally relevant satire and readers won’t be able to look away from the brutal ride.” At least, that’s what IDW says. What they haven’t said yet is when it will be ready for comic shops.
Still, IDW knew they had something big enough it should be announced in The Hollywood Reporter. May has insight into the horror of Hollywood. And she’s right–studios are obsessed with IP. Will this be biting the hand that feeds her? Perhaps. The only guarantee I can give is that her teeth are sharp. That’s a good thing. Find her books.
Fanboy Planet is affiliated with Bookshop.org as well as Amazon. Purchases made through links on this page will benefit independent bookstores. Amazon links may be on other pages on this site.
