An arm peppered with tiny holes dangles from a sick girl's window... After an idol hangs herself, balloons bearing the faces of their destined victimes appear in the sky... An amateur film crew hires an extremely individualistic fashion model and faces a real bloody ending... An offering of nine fresh nightmares for the delectation of horror fans.
Rated: T+
Starred review from April 1, 2018
For close to three decades, Ito (Tomie; Dissolving Classroom) has been one of the most thrilling and innovative creators of horror manga in the world. This personally curated collection of nine favorite short stories produced over the span of his career serves as a superb introduction to his work. A recording of a recently deceased woman crooning becomes a source of obsession for anyone listening. A city is attacked by enormous, floating heads. A successful painter, shaken by an encounter with a mysterious young woman, commits an act of awful violence in an attempt to restore his confidence. Ito switches among Lovecraft-inspired investigations of cosmic menace, body horror in the manner of filmmaker David Cronenberg, and tales of terror emerging from the most mundane sources, reminiscent of Stephen King. But ultimately he's unlike anyone else in his ability to create images that seem drawn from a highly specific, personal, and primordial well of utter darkness. Some horror creeps up on you, Ito's leaps screaming at your face. VERDICT Ito is one of the few manga artists with total crossover appeal, making this collection an essential addition.--TB
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