Comics Review: PUMPKINHEAD by Cullen Bunn and Blacky Shepherd

PUMPKINHEAD by Cullen Bunn and Black Shepherd (Dynamite Entertainment, October 2018) Trade paperback, 128 pages. ISBN # 1524107654 / 9781524107659  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

“For each of Man's evils, a special demon exists.”

For thirty years, the demon of vengeance has been still, its corpse buried in a pumpkin patch graveyard in the hills. But when a reckless driver accidentally kills a pair of children, the creature is called up once more. 

This time, though, the monster's intended target is protected by a cruel backwoods crime family. They hatch their own supernatural plans for dealing with Pumpkinhead. For each of man's sins, a special demon exists, and when seven infernal creatures roam the hills and the hollows, no one--guilty or otherwise--is safe.

Plus! A backup story about everyone's favorite, Haggis, by Cullen Bunn and Kyle Strahm!

My Three-Star review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     As horror comics fare there's nothing earth-shattering here, just an entertaining and satisfying read - - especially if you crave a bit of escapism with no big message, just subtle undercurrents if you want to reflect longer on what you've just read. For a better example of hillbilly horror with more engaging and disturbing concepts, check out the HARROW COUNTY series, also by Cullen Bunn.

     Based on the film series, Bunn takes the framework of the original movie and builds on it. Cursed with that don't-take-this-seriously title (really, Pumpkinhead?) I passed on the 1988 film during its' very limited and unpromoted theatrical release. I finally saw it on a television rerun and enjoyed it, especially for an early career appearance by actor Lance Hendrickson. PUMPKINHEAD did enjoy a cult following during the VHS rental phase. It also prompted three sequels made-for-television or direct-to-video which I suspect are of dubious quality. The original was noted for its original premise, special effects, and the directorial debut of special effects/makeup master Stan Winston. 

     Pumpkinhead is a demon of vengeance (sprouting out of a pumpkin patch when summoned). Once revived it continues in its relentless pursuit of the accused until vengeance/death is achieved. Pumpkinhead has a physical bond with the person who requested its assistance, via an appeal to the witch Haggis. Any pain or injury that Pumpkinhead experiences will also be realized by the petitioner. The only way to stop the demon and return it to the ground is to kill the person who summoned it. 

     Bunn adds a sisterhood of witches to the Pumpkinhead mythos, who then summon the other demons (based on the Seven Deadly Sins) to prevent Pumpkinhead from finding vengeance against a drug runner who recklessly killed some backwoods children in a hit-and-run collision with a wagon.

     The art is good, with lots of visually stimulating fights between monsters. The subplots added here prevent this from just being a five-issue mindless bit of fluff. I am satisfied.