Review: Babylon Cove #1
From Mad Cave Studios
A new series from Mad Cave Studios, with some interesting characters and a horror twist - this is Babylon Cove #1.
This is a story about Heather, a no-nonsense career-gal who returns to her picturesque New England hometown for the first time in a decade to attend a family funeral; Dennis, the all-American dreamboat who broke Heather’s heart in high school; Charlie, the late-blooming shy boy who Heather never gave the time of day and Karthon, the ancient demon with plans to feast on the flesh of everyone in town
If you ever wondered what would happen if Stephen King were allowed to write one of those Hallmark holiday movies… Welcome to BABYLON COVE.
Author: Rafer Roberts
Artist: Joe Eisma
Mad Cave Studios’s Babylon Cove #1 delivers a strong and intriguing opening chapter that feels very much like the calm before the storm. From the outset, the issue carefully lays the groundwork for what promises to become something much darker and more unsettling as the story progresses.
A large part of this first instalment focuses on introducing the cast and establishing the atmosphere of the town itself. We meet a mixture of characters still living in the small coastal community, alongside those who have moved away to pursue bigger lives elsewhere. At first glance, the setup carries all the familiar elements of the classic “returning home” story, with a young woman coming back from the city and reconnecting with old friends, former relationships, and family members she left behind. That sense of nostalgia runs throughout the issue, giving the book an immediately recognisable emotional core.
What makes the comic stand out, however, is the growing feeling that something is deeply wrong beneath the surface. Even before the true horror elements begin to emerge, there is an underlying tension hanging over nearly every scene. The story hints early on that a demonic force may be at work, and as unexplained deaths begin to occur, the atmosphere becomes increasingly unsettling. The creative team does a good job of feeding readers just enough information to keep them curious without revealing too much too soon.
I particularly enjoyed how naturally the issue handles its character relationships and backstory. The flashbacks are used effectively to show us fragments of the past and help explain the complicated history between the various characters. Old friendships, lingering resentments, romantic history, and family tensions all add depth to the narrative, making the town feel lived-in rather than simply functioning as a backdrop for horror. Those quieter moments help balance the more sinister developments later in the issue.
The opening prologue is especially effective in setting the tone. It offers disturbing glimpses of violence and bloodshed without fully explaining what is happening, immediately creating intrigue. As the story unfolds, the sense of dread slowly builds in the background until the comic finally leans into its horror elements, culminating in some genuinely gruesome moments. By the closing pages, the mystery surrounding the evil presence becomes much more apparent, leaving plenty of questions for the next issue to explore.
The artwork deserves a lot of praise as well. The visual style captures both the warmth of the small-town setting and the darker supernatural elements extremely well. Some of the colour choices are particularly striking, especially during the more intense scenes, where the contrast between light and shadow heightens the tension. I also liked the panel layouts and the occasional high-angle perspectives, which help make certain moments feel more dramatic and cinematic. Character expressions are another highlight, with reactions often telling as much of the story as the dialogue itself.
Overall, this is a very promising first issue that successfully combines small-town drama with creeping supernatural horror. It introduces its world and characters effectively while planting enough mystery and menace to keep readers invested. By the end, it feels as though the story is only just beginning, and I am definitely interested to see where the series goes next.
