Nailbiter #7 Review

Title:	Nailbiter
Contributors:	Joshua Williamson Mike Henderson
Publisher:	Image Comics
Issue #:	7
Year:	2014
Pages:	32 Pages
Age Rating:	14 (Language, Adult Themes)
Story Grade:	A
Art Grade:	A

Nailbiter #7 delivers the goods to the readers. As the cover indicates, this issue guest stars Brian Michael Bendis and no, he's not a guest writer, but rather an actual character in the book. This is a must own issue that has one of the creepiest endings of a book I have read recently, and that says a lot. But if you didn't pre-order your copy, you might be out of luck, at least until the reprint becomes available as it is completely sold out.

The synopsis is this; Bendis comes to Buckaroo, Oregon to do some research on a book he wants to write about the Buckaroo Butchers. I mean what other reason would "Brian Michael Bendis" be in Buckaroo, Oregon.

Williamson uses Bendis' real world character in this fictional story not only to deliver some whimsical humor about the comics industry but to explore the mentality of the town and to add a serious level of creepy reality to the story.

And if I am to be honest, and this Honest Comics Reviews after all, the Bendis/Warren dialog gets a little pompous and comes across as egotistical. But because it's Warren, a.k.a. The Nailbiter, delivering the pomp and ego in the dialog it works awesomely for the story being told. This specific section of dialog between Bendis and Warren was a tight line to walk but Williamson pulls it off fantastically.

I have loved this series from the get-go, and continue loving it. This issue truly cements the love and affection I have for the series and its creators. My only real issue with Issue #7 is that it is the only issue in the run that isn't signed by Williamson. I just have to wait until the next Rose City Comic Con... or maybe he will be at the Northwest Comic Fest.... Fingers are crossed.

Williamson shows a deep level of respect, not only for the history of comic books but for Bendis in this issue. When I first heard about the Bendis appearance, I was both a excited and a little concerned about how this would all play out, but alas, I shouldn't have been. Williamson knows what he is doing and he continues to do it masterfully.

Additionally I would like to note, without giving anything away, that this book contains a creepy ending that makes me questions whether the Bendis character might make a return to the series at some point in the future. This was possibly one of the creepiest moments in the entire series for me and this moment makes checking this issue out a must for any fan of horror.

All in all I grade this issue a solid A. The story, the art (which I really didn't talk about) are spot on and only deepen the mystery that is Buckaroo, Oregon. If you haven't picked this series up, you are doing yourself a disservice. Volume one of the trade is out so you can play catch up real fast and cost effectively.

Until next time... Remember that murder doesn't just happen in the physical world.