Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
Hungry for a horror comic to read this Halloween? Look no further than the incredibly cinematic comic Basketful of Heads from horror legends Joe Hill and Leomacs. For those who love scary movies, this one’s for you. From a badass final girl to a coterie of surprisingly chatty decapitated noggins, Basketful of Heads plays with horror tropes in a fun, cleverly subversive way. Originally released as a part of Hill’s popup horror imprint, Hillhouse Comics, Basketful of Heads can now be found as a DC Black Label graphic novel and on the DC UNIVERSE INFINITE app.
The Premise:
The year is 1983 and June Branch is visiting Brody Island to help her boyfriend say goodbye to the picturesque town where he spent the summer working as a police officer. One rainy and fearful night, four convicts escape the local prison and take Liam hostage. With no power, the phone lines down and no escape due to a terrible storm, June is left alone to fight for her life and save her boyfriend. The weapon she manages to get her hands on is an 8th century Viking axe that’s formidable enough to decapitate a man with a single swing, but with the unexpected supernatural side effect of leaving their severed head fully conscious and able to speak. As the night goes on, June uncovers the dirty secrets of this town and the corruption of those in power. Each head she adds to her basket has their own story that helps her piece it all together and figure out what’s going on. It's a race against the clock as she does everything she can to save the man that she loves. There’s romance, mystery and a conspiracy or two that will leave her wondering who she can trust!
Let’s Talk Talent:
Joe Hill is a multi-medium horror writer known for The Black Phone and Locke and Key. His narrative and dialog here are both incredibly cinematic—this story will transport you straight to the rainy and mysterious Brody Island. Hill combines elements of a psychological thriller with the supernatural to create a unique premise that is perfectly executed. Because it reads like a horror movie, I’d say this is the perfect comic for horror fans who are new to comics!
Artist Leomacs, known for Tex and Dylan Dog, expertly crafts the visuals of these scenes and perfectly paces both the uneasy suspense and exhilarating action of Hill’s script. Each scene feels like a shot from a movie as Leomacs utilizes unique angles and communicates the expressions and emotions of these fleshed-out characters brilliantly!
A Few Reasons to Read:
- It stars a badass female protagonist. June Branch is an incredible protagonist and the heart of this story. Thrown into a deadly situation with murders being committed against a backdrop of stolen 8th century artifacts, she uses her wits and resilience to fight her way to Liam and survive the night. She never backs down and is willing to do whatever it takes—and I mean whatever it takes. Wait till you see how she gets out of a pair of handcuffs! She represents both emotional and physical strength and even fights for those who can’t fight for themselves.
- A great critique of the rich. Uncovering the dirty secrets of the wealthy members of the town and the police officers tasked with keeping everyone safe, this story is a great critique of the rich and powerful. Showing how the wealthy can literally get away with murder and the hypocrisy of those committing white-collar crimes, Basketful of Heads is great for fans of Ready or Not and Eat the Rich. As you discover what some of these people have done, you’ll be filled with rage as you root for June to act as the angel of death and enact justice!
- It’s a thriller and a mystery that will keep you on your toes. June finding herself trapped on Brody Island because of a raging storm creates an eerie, closed-off atmosphere where the protagonist has no way out. Horror stories set in isolated settings are some of my favorites—think Alien, The Shining and 10 Cloverfield Lane. It’s terrifying! And as the night progresses and the bodies pile up, we follow closely as every turn June makes could be her last.
- A uniquely clever supernatural twist. I mean—it’s in the name! June has a basketful of heads and they are fully sentient and talk. The lore behind this historic Viking axe creates some unique world building on which Hill builds the story. It’s also darkly comedic. These literal talking heads aren’t exactly thrilled to discover they’re somehow still alive and being dragged around by their own axe murderer. (In June’s defense—they started it!) It’s quite a hook and I’ve never seen anything like it before.
Why It’s Worth Your Time:
If you love horror movies, you’re going to love Basketful of Heads. It’s an imaginatively gory tale that exists in its own continuity and is easy to pick up and read in one sitting. Warning: you will be hooked! From its badass and brave final girl to its exploration of the morally corrupt ruling class of Brody Island, there’s a lot to love about Basketful of Heads! I mean…the visuals of a literal basket full of talking heads is absolutely insane, and now that I think about it, June with her yellow raincoat and her wicker basket full of noggins would make a fantastic Halloween costume or cosplay. Plus, can you imagine the look on people’s faces when you hold out your basket of heads and shout, “Trick or treat!!”
Basketful of Heads by Joe Hill, Leomacs and Dave Stewart is available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers as a softcover graphic novel. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
