A.V. Pull List: Welcome to Hyde Street

Ghost Machine is the latest collective of powerhouse creators, including Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Jason Fabok, who formed this group to create innovative, creator-owned comics. Their mission? To put complete creative control into the hands of the writers and artists, fostering projects that are authentic, diverse, and unconstrained by corporate demands. Ghost Machine’s partnership with Image Comics allows these creators to explore new storytelling territories, as they’re encouraged to push genre boundaries in ways not often seen in mainstream comics.

One of Ghost Machine’s flagship series, Hyde Street, launched a few weeks ago and instantly made an impression on me. It takes readers on a chilling journey down Hyde Street, a haunting place populated by bizarre, memorable characters like Mr. X-Ray and Pranky the Scout. Each issue peels back new layers of mystery, drawing readers deeper into its eerie world. The initial issue set the tone with a perfect blend of horror and dark charm that’s impossible to ignore.

Just in time for Halloween, the It Happened on Hyde Street: Devour one-shot companion hit the shelves this week. This standalone tale follows Lily as she confronts societal pressures around weight loss, crossing paths with Miss Goodbody, a sinister health guru whose “miracle” diet advice spirals into horror. The one-shot adds an unsettling perspective on body image and the pursuit of perfection, broadening the Hyde Street universe.

With Ghost Machine’s creator-owned approach, series like Hyde Street get the chance to be bold and original, allowing the stories and characters to develop in unexpected ways. For fans of horror looking for something fresh and full of eerie surprises, Hyde Street and the entire Ghost Machine lineup are well worth adding to your collection.

-Brad McBoom