Gorebull Review: A Dark Indie Horror Comic by Libby Dyer Douglas
Reading time: 4 minutes
How about a dark and haunting look into a gore voyeur, Reddit lurkers life and existential crisis that gives the phrase "falling on your own sword" an alternate, contemporary, digital efficacy in art with the beautiful macabre tones such a story deserves? Then click the link and witness Gorebull by Libby Dyer Douglas.
Libby Dyer Douglas is a cartoonist from Scotland. She has been making comics since they were a teenager and doesn't believe in aliens (shamelessly lifted facts from Libby's website). Previous works include Lord Of The Flies "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" (chef's kiss for lyric choices), Furry Hannibal, Most Peculiar Elephant Shrew, ESAU and Childhood By Wire. It's a brand new weekly webcomic about growing up that looks absolutely gorgeous. Link at the end for that one.
This is another comic from the awesome humans at Don't Fold Press. They are quickly establishing themselves as curators of excellent comics. That aside, let's do the review.
So, let's start with the art. Libby DD has created some expertly atmospheric art on Gorebull. There's a tangible seediness running through every line. Using a limited colour palette of black, white, grey and red helps emphasise this feeling. The greywash adds to a grimey, haunting feeling, while the splashes of red really punctuate the horror visuals.
The art has this snuff video essence to it as well, which really plays up to the narrative. Counterintuitively, there is a lot of very dark but very beautiful art on display here. On top of this, the design choices are accomplished with not just really great inventiveness but also attractive presentation. Namely, the approach to speech, showing it all in the text box of a forum chat and direct messages. Overall, this is clever and beautiful art full of atmosphere and excellent emotion. On to the story then.
Libby Dyer Douglas's Gorebull advertises itself as a "comic about watching people die online". Which it is, so that's that then. Thanks for reading. Look out for the next one and check the site for all the latest in the UK indie scene.
I jest, of course, but on the surface that sums things up. Almost like a found footage horror piece this one plays out. At first glance, it has all the substance of an Eli Roth movie. Not a bad thing in and of itself. But even scratching the surface, and the initial tagline, it's who is watching who die online. And for me there's some interesting commentary here on the voyeur experience and a specific corner of online existence.
Maybe even a little on the human condition, loneliness, depression, consumption (of various types), toxicity and the trauma and mindset of the gorehound/ digital ambulance chaser. Back to certainties. This story follows a protagonist of sorts with the online handle GOREBULL, an isolated individual indulging in consumption. Predominantly that of alcohol and internet violence. This voyeur, aided by like minded forum "friends", gets a nasty surprise when a video they didn't know existed surfaces. It casts the eye on themselves and builds to an ambiguous conclusion: either the digital equivalent of distancing oneself, saving face, or something more sinister.
The whole thing feels like a frank and dark examination of the gore voyeur, alongside internet culture of a certain corner and the communities that lurk there. It also carries the themes mentioned earlier, particularly loneliness and isolation along with how what we consume, mentally and physically, can shape and consume us. All this while emanating a darkness and icky feeling. Like that split-second moment when you put a hand down on something without looking and feel something sticky. The undeniable dread in that moment is bottled here and sometimes that's exactly what you want from a comic. Comics are art, art is emotion, this one just happens to be an uncomfortable one, and that is great.
For fans of horror, gore, depictions of death, Reddit, the darkness of those that consume the darkness of others facing the darkness of their own recent darkness, darkness, shared servers, Minecraft and loneliness in black, white and red art that bottles an intense atmosphere, then indulge in Gorebull and share it with others.
To get your physical copy, you'll have to be at Sequential Scotland on Saturday August 8th. This one will be making its debut. It adds to the plethora of reasons, making it well worth attending. Alternatively, for digital collectors, I would draw your attention to The Scottish Comics Bundle on itch.io here. It offers an incredible collection of 30 comics for only $20 for a limited time. That's a saving of 82%. Although more can be donated, as 13% of profits are going to charity. Anyway, when you're done expanding your library, you should really check out Libby's website here. You can keep up to date with all the things they are up to and follow along with the aforementioned awesome new webcomic series. I highly recommend it.
Review: 4.95/5
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