SCARY BOOK VOLUME 3: FACES (Dark House Comics) Library
These two hidden gems have been hiding in the library for years, someone must have stolen Volume 2 but that doesn't matter as there aren't any continuing characters in this early Kazuo Umezz series from 2006. The paper on these is pretty low quality, but with Umezz's bold style that doesn't affect the reading experience.
Volume 1 has the intense story of a vain girl's reflection come to life, the twist is I ended up having more sympathy for the reflection rather than the real girl in the end. The second story is a horror take on "Lone Wolf and Cub" which was fun and completely over the top.
Volume 3 is classic Umezz with TWO disfigured girls. The first story is probably my favorite of the four stories, as it's paced and structured to maximize the horror. Which sister is the enabler, which is the manipulator??
The second, and longest, story is also well-paced with it's suspenseful tale of a young girl who takes her frustrations with life out by sending a hateful letter to a made up person. Naturally, all the horrible things happen to a real person to who the letter is delivered. The anguish the letter-writing girl goes through as fate tears down the girl that received the letter, is built slowly and relentlessly. I do love the ending, but it's tone keeps this from being my favorite of the four stories.
Two illustrations from "The Coincidental Letter" the final story covered above.
