Basketful of Heads Review: Joe Hill’s 80s Horror Masterpiece
INTRODUCTION: A Love Letter to Grindhouse Cinema
Welcome to our Basketful of Heads Review. Originally launched as the flagship title for the Hill House Comics imprint, this graphic novel is a glorious throwback to 80s grindhouse cinema. Written by Joe Hill—the son of Stephen King—the story delivers a perfect blend of supernatural terror and dark comedy. If you love severed heads that won’t shut up, this DC Black Label book is for you.
STORY: The Axe that Keeps on Giving
In this Basketful of Heads Review, we follow June Branch. She is a college student visiting her boyfriend on Brody Island during a massive storm. However, her weekend turns into a nightmare when escaped convicts from Shawshank Prison arrive. June soon finds an ancient Viking axe that decapitates victims while keeping their heads alive.
The dialogue between June and her basket of severed heads is hilarious and bonkers. Hill avoids typical “final girl” tropes. Instead, he crafts a protagonist who is resourceful, psychological, and surprisingly brutal. The plot moves quickly, using the isolated island setting to build a thick sense of 1980s dread.
ARTWORK: Vintage Colors and Gory Details
A major highlight of this Basketful of Heads Review is the art team. Leomacs handles the pencils, while Dave Stewart provides the vintage color palette. The book begins with sunny yellows but shifts to muted greens and blues as the horror escalates.
- Leomacs’ Style: The linework feels reminiscent of 70s European comics but remains fresh.
- Gory Details: The decapitation scenes are visceral without being over-the-top.
- Character Expressions: The “basket heads” are incredibly expressive, making their babbling both creepy and comical.
VERDICT: The Final Basketful of Heads Review
Ultimately, this is a “one-and-done” horror epic that hits every note. It is funny, gory, and full of shocking twists. Joe Hill has proven once again that he is a master of the comic book format.
- Story: 9/10
- Art: 10/10
- Verdict: A horror hoot and a half.
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