I’ve never been too fond of small towns.  Especially since I grew up in San Diego, I’ve grown accustomed to the trappings of civilization.  Neighbors, the internet, Starbucks, Min Sok Chon, Nolbu, having more than a one lane on a road…

Then I read “In Sanity, AZ”.  I remembered why I avoid small towns.

Written by Michael Drace Fountain, Marcel Losada, James Ninness, and Joe Pezzula, “In Sanity, AZ” is a horror comic anthology about the daily lives of the people in a small town called Sanity, in Arizona.  The premise may sound bland, but believe me, this comic is anything but.  From the first few pages of the copy I got from James, I knew I was in for some real shit.  After the first story, I found myself checking my schedule to make sure that I wouldn’t be driving anywhere near small towns.

This is what I like about independent comics.  You never know just what you’re in for, and it did not disappoint.  The art’s not my cup of tea, however.  Nothin’ against the art, but I’m more of a manga guy.  Gotta have my moe moe kyun action.  There’s none of that in Sanity, however.  The writing is solid, simple, and scary.

Will I keep reading it, when it drops on July 9?  You bet your ass.  I just won’t read it at night.  You can get it over at Quad Shot, Amazon, and eventually ComiXology.

More press release-ish info below:

The first issue of our Kickstarted horror anthology is finished. It’s time for us to share in Sanity, AZ.

 

in Sanity, AZ #1 features the stories: “Snowglobes and Albatrosses”, “Broken Water I”, “Murder”, “Burgers And Shakes”, “Friends”, “False Idols”, “Inning Five”, “Honor Parents”, “Confusion”, “Sea Of Sanity”, and “False Witness”.

 

The series is created and written by Michael Drace Fountain, Marcel Losada, James Ninness, and Joe Pezzula.

Pencils/Inks in this issue are by Scott Irwin, Rich Kuhaupt, Lance Sawyer, Jorge Sevilla, Collin Fogel, Chris Collins, and Frank Luna. Colors by Ben Glibert. Designs by Shannon Forrey. Cover by “Big” Chris Wood.

 

Digital, 54 total pages, $1.99 US – RATED 18+

 

Welcome to Sanity, Arizona. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone and the natives are happy to live and let live…unless you’re visiting. Forged in the fires of segregation, the descendants of an overrun insane asylum years before have carved out a place for themselves in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It’s a small place with a single road and only a few buildings to speak of, out in the middle of nowhere. The residents have developed their own systems of law, politics, ethics, religion, and morality. Left on their own, Sanity would thrive outside the view of our world, content to live their lives in their own way. Unfortunately for all involved strangers do occasionally find themselves in Sanity, AZ.