Review: Chilling Adventures Of Salem

A one-shot from Archie Comics

As we come towards Halloween, more horror stories are coming out, and Archie Comics has its line on these. With the Sabrina universe out there, Archie Comics has released a Salem one-shot in the Chilling Adventures Of Salem.

Salem the Cat has always been known as Sabrina’s familiar, but what happens when Sabrina’s not around to protect him (or, as is more the case, when he doesn’t have to protect her)? This special one-shot explores a different side of Salem’s life, one in which he acts as an anti-hero enacting vigilante justice on those who hurt others like him… animals, in a horror story that’s equal parts Pet Sematary and Hereditary.

Script: Cullen Bunn, Art: Dan Schoening, Colors: Matt Herms, Letters: Jack Morelli, Cover: Dan Schoening, Matt Herms, Variant Cover: Francesco Francavilla

This was a very pet-central story. Of course, it features Salem, famous for being a cursed sorcerer who was turned into a cat.

He seems to have accepted his lot, though, with some good commentary throughout this comic, with some excellent comments on the way of the animals. There are also some comments on the ways of more demonic forces too.

This was a good read for anyone to pick up. All you need to know is that Salem the cat is a former sorcerer who was cursed to live his life as a housecat. Got it? Good. Then you are off with the story. You can pick this up and enjoy it as we work through this adventure.

This story has a grim quality as Salem finds himself in trouble. Although, there is the case of mistaken identity, which makes the ending very satisfying.

This was an entertaining read, with some well-executed art and a perfect colour palette for the story. The mix of the colours works well, with the washed tones and then the magic within.