This is a really well-done book.

In a week with four, count ’em, *four* X-Men titles out — including two of my three favorite writers, Fraction and Ellis (the third is Rucka. I’d say, “get him on an X-book, but I really want him to write more Renee Montoya) — this should not be my Pick of the Week.

But it is.

Laurie Strode is one of my favorite characters of all time. I have a deep love for classic horror films (as I go on about on my blog — http://sigridellis.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/the-girls-who-lived/ ) but I’ve never picked up any of the comic book tie-ins or adaptations. The title of this one grabbed me — the First Death of Laurie Strode. The reason I like horror films is that I like the protagonists. This looked promising.

It paid off. The art — let’s get that out of the way. The art by Jeff Zornow is clear, gory, and expressive. You can discern Laurie’s emotions on her face. This is important in a book that is largely introspection.

Introspection, is, of course, what I like about this issue. Writer Stef Hutchinson makes the issue aaaaallllll about Laurie. How she feels, what she thinks. How there’s no getting over what happened because she needs answers that will never come. I love stories like this — slow, thoughtful build-ups that let us get a feel for the character. The punch of action at the end is a perfect touch.

If you like the first Halloween movie, I highly, highly recommend this book.