Fans of the live-action Sabrina The Teenage Series, prepare for a massive paradigm shift. You have been warned. This isn’t going to be pretty.
The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina is absolutely horrifying. Every single issues features at least one intensely harrowing scene guaranteed to give you nightmares. Forget the zombies in Afterlife With Archie, Sabrina showcases even more ghoulish creatures. Discard everything you think you know about Sabrina. This is a new universe, a period piece taking place in the sixties, and unconnected to Afterlife With Archie. Despite some minor cameos from Archie characters in a few issues, it tries to be a separate, equally chilling entity.
How is it different, you ask? The main villain has no face, having to graphically steal one from an innocent victim. Hilda and Zelda practice cannibalism. Remember Salem’s cute jokes about trying to take over the world in the old TV series and how we all chuckled at his arrogance? Awww, look at the wittle kitty, he stupidly tried to become a dictator! Cutest Napoleon complex ever! Here, he actively tried to summon the end of the world. How he does this has yet to be revealed, but the solicits for the sixth issue promise to reveal his backstory. Cousin Ambrose? No longer a jolly middle-aged man, now he’s a creepy teenager who once used magic to remove someone’s hands.
Basically, I’m trying to say that the new series is a full-on horror story and a worthy addition to the Archie Horror lineup. It is most definitely not for the faint of heart. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve actually had a debate with my friend over which was more terrifying—the horrors in Sabrina or the visceral gore and tragedies in Afterlife With Archie. We didn’t come to a conclusion, but I am of the personal opinion that Sabrina is more descriptive in its events. Afterlife With Archie typically has some of the main characters narrate the issue, while Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina either has Madam Satan recounting her past life or an anonymous narrator.
The time period also makes it more terrifying. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is unafraid to delve into the horrors of the past in gritty, vivid detail. Scenes taking place in an asylum are particularly blood-curdling, especially when the medical scenes are left to your imagination. One panel featuring police brutality is exceedingly intense. The most recent issue even broaches the subject of racism, although for an all too brief moment.
My main criticism of the series would be its release schedule. The fifth issue came out almost one year ago. It makes it harder to recall the previous events in order to write a proper review. Additionally, and this is more personal, I find it very hard to read the series due to the horrifying events. I grew up going through the Archie Comics and a small portion of the live-action series. But, I do know that this isn’t necessarily for me. It’s made for fans of all kinds of horror movies, a genre that I’m still dipping my toes into, so to speak.
If you want to experience this unique take on the character, I recommend it. If you’re on the fence, just read the first issue to see how much you can handle. It’s hard to get through, but beautifully written.
Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or the Harry Potter books.
