Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    Nailbiter Returns #1 Review
    Review

    Nailbiter Returns #1 Review

    Robert MammoneBy Robert MammoneJune 7, 20205 Mins Read

    In NAILBITER RETURNS #1, a night out for a trip of serial killer fans turns ugly as Alice, the daughter of Buckaroo’s most infamous murderer defends her family’s honor.  Elsewhere, a multi-car pile up reveals the body of a man long thought dead…with his eyes missing.  Bad things are brewing in Buckaroo so be sure to find out what in your next Major Spoilers review!

    Nailbiter Returns #1 Review
    You can purchase this issue via comiXology

    NAILBITER RETURNS #1

    Creators: Joshua Williamson & Mike Henderson
    Colorist: Adam Guzowski
    Letterer: John J Hill
    Editor: Rebecca Taylor
    Publisher: Image Comics
    Price: $3.99
    Release Date: June 3rd, 2020

    Previously in NAILBITER RETURNS: Buckaroo, Oregon, has a knack for producing serial killers.  Sixteen, at last count.  The most notorious is a fine fellow who goes by the moniker Nailbiter, since he chews on the nails of his victims.  Captured in the previous series, his daughter Alice now must live down his (and her) reputation. With the aid of NSA agent, Nicholas Finch, a new adventure begins…

    YUMMY

    I was fascinated by serial killers when I was younger.  Wrote a paper on Jack the Ripper, and accidentally insulted a freemason while declaiming about one of the favorite theories about Jack’s origin.  The fascination has long gone now – how can you when we’re talking about disordered, disorganised monsters who prey on the weak to satisfy a disgusting urge to kill and maim.  It is interesting, though, that in the main, the eighties and nineties fascination with the serial killer seems to have waned.

    None of that is evident in NAILBITER RETURNS #1, a follow up to six collected volumes of material that covered an earlier investigation.  This opening issue begins the story anew, featuring NSA Agent Nicholas Finch and the daughter of the Nailbiter, Alice.  A huge car pile up reveals the eyeless corpse of a serial killer, Luha Eliminador, one of the sixteen murderers Buckaroo has produced.

    The artwork in this issue is exceptionally strong.  It unflinchingly displays the results of car wrecks and murder, showing the damage done to objects and people, in graphic detail.  There’s also a cinematic feel to it, as if this was a widescreen movie showing all this violence in a loving, almost pornographic manner.  The ‘camera’ lingers, or at least, invites the reader to, such is the lushness of the artwork.  There are nice little touches that remind me of 80s thrillers – Finch’s reflection in a pair of sunglasses, for instance, is pure 80s cinema.  Elsewhere, the character design is strong and distinctive.  Everyone feels grounded and has some heft.  There are plenty of expressive faces, and great use of shadow and light.  Overall, the artwork in NAILBITER RETURNS #1 cannot be faulted.

    WRITING IS LIKE OPENING UP A VEIN

    The set up, with a town that produced sixteen serial killers, is of course, utterly ludicrous.  But the creators, Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson, have embraced the idea wholeheartedly.  The issue opens up with three women talking about their favorite serial killer movies and television shows and books and podcasts, while sitting in a serial killer themed bar.  There are flashes to the activities of some of the killers, including the bone collecting Crossbones Killer, or the poor driving skills of the Clown Car Killer.  It’s so delightfully demented your laughing too hard to realise there’s a bit of death glorification going on with it all.

    To be honest, I’m a bit leery of it all.  In a way, the artwork is so good when these images are splashed across the page it feels a little like these monsters are the heroes of the issue.  Obviously, they’re not, but still…  My misgivings aside, the writing in this issue is really strong.  There’s a neat framing device that is eye watering (literally), that has a big payoff on the final page.  Alice is a good, strong female character, in a genre that generally treats women as victims.  As you would expect of a woman whose father feasted on his victims, she’s tough and cynical, prepared to face headon the legacy of her father’s monstrosity.

    Finch feels much more familiar – the stepdad with a heart of gold, but also a hardened professional who has seen, and done it all.  A story like this needs an anchor character like that, someone around whom the action can unfurl while doggedly chase down the bad guy, often pulling everyone’s chestnuts out of the fire at the last minute.  Again, a typical 80s action hero, updated to more modern sensibilities, of course.

    BOTTOM LINE: HILARIOUSLY AMORAL

    There’s a lot of intriguing material in NAILBITER RETURNS #1.  Some of it your reviewer is a bit wary of, but not so much that I didn’t enjoy it all.  The artwork is fantastic, with lots of cinematic touches to treat the reader.  While there are some odd moments during the issue, which points to some more odd occurrences to come, overall, it’s a familiar tale told really well.


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Nailbiter Returns #1

    80%
    80%
    Hilariously Amoral

    Nailbiter Returns #1 Review
    You can purchase this issue via comiXology
    Interest in serial killers has waned of late (ignoring certain documentaries on Netflix) as real world troubles crowd out the audiences tolerance for that sort of thing. Still, NAILBITER RETURNS #1 has enough going for it that it is a worthwhile investment picking it up and sticking with it for the ride.

    • Writing
      8
    • Art
      8
    • Coloring
      8
    • User Ratings (0 Votes)
      0
    Adam Guzowski Image Comics John J. Hill joshua williamson mike henderson Nailbiter Returns Rebecca Taylor Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWayne’s Comics Podcast #437: Interviews with Rich Davis and Tyler Chin-Tanner
    Next Article Retro Review: The Spirit Section (June 2, 1940)
    Robert Mammone

    Romantic. Raconteur. Kangaroo rustler. Sadly, Rob is none of these. Rob has been a follower of genre since at least the mid-1970s. Book collector, Doctor Who fan, semi-retired podcaster, comic book shop counter jockey, writer (once!) in Doctor Who Magazine and with pretensions to writing fantasy and horror, Rob is the sort of fellow you can happily embrace while wondering why you're doing it. More of his maudlin thoughts can be found at his ill-tended blog https://robertmammone.wordpress.com/

    Related Posts

    Major Spoilers Podcast #1133: The Fight of the Century

    Read More

    Image Comics announces Creepshow Vol. 4 #2 creative teams

    Read More

    Geek History Lesson – Wakanda MEGA EPISODE (Black Panther, Shuri, Dora Milaje, Ironheart)

    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    6.0
    July 8, 2025

    JSA #9 Review

    7.0
    July 7, 2025

    X-Men: Hellfire Vigil #1 Review

    5.7
    July 6, 2025

    Gehenna: Naked Aggression #1 Review

    7.0
    July 6, 2025

    Retro Review: Big Apple Comix (September 1975)

    6.0
    July 5, 2025

    Wolverines and Deadpools #1 Review

    Patreon Support
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT