A Review: PUPPETMASTER #1

The Fellowship was fortunate enough to obtain a copy of PUPPETMASTER #1 from Action Lab Entertainment. The story is written by Shawn Gabborin, with art by Michela Da Sacco, and colors by Yann Perrelet. The series is based off the PUPPETMASTER films created by Charles Band.

A group of friends decide to spend some time away at the Bodega Bay Inn. What some don’t know is this is the place where the greatest puppeteer Andre Toulon committed suicide. Since his death there has been several odd things have happened at the Inn. It’s said that his famous “stringless puppets” are still there killing whoever trespass. Barry, who had informed the group of the legend of Toulon, is found dead a short while later. Could the puppets be real? If so, who’s their master now?

The thing about doing a first issue of a comic based off a film or TV show is trying to balance not scaring off readers who are not familiar with the source material with not alienating the hardcore fan. Shawn Gabborin does a very good job of rehashing what’s important so he can tell his story.  There is enough of a setup to keep the reader interested in coming back to find out what is happening.

PUPPETMASTER #1 is in stores now, or available for ordering at www.actionlabcomics.com.