Clean room

The premise of this bracing series launch from Simone (Birds of Prey) sounds familiar: a secretive, powerful, and celebrity-filled organization promises wisdom to all who follow its teachings. But the cult-like Honest World Foundation turns the Scientology analogy on its ear: they really do know the truths of the universe and might be humankind's only hope. Chloe Pierce is a reporter trying to figure why her fiancé, an Honest World acolyte, shot himself. Chloe's introduction to the cult's arrogant leader, Astrid Mueller, a piercing-eyed Valkyrie in sleek business wear, doesn't give her much confidence in their aims. But the steady accumulation of supernatural occurrences forces Chloe to conclude that there are worse things out there than Honest World. Propulsively written by Simone and drawn by Davis-Hunt with a clarity that's both gruesome and precise, this story will get under the reader's skin. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Chloe Pierce wants to expose all the secrets of the Honest World Foundation after her fiancé's suicide, which appears connected to his devotion to the group. She uses her reporter's skills to force a meeting with Astrid Mueller, the mysterious leader of the cult. Instead of a traditional interview, Chloe is brought into the high-tech mystery of the Clean Room, where she witnesses an event that is either a radical psychological therapy session involving drug-induced hallucinations, or a literal manifestation of the mental tumult of the patient. Disturbed by the encounter, Chloe leaves the confines of the business more determined to bring it down only to discover a seemingly demonic entity has invaded her home, presaging even worse things, while Astrid deals with an unexpected incursion into the Clean Room that locks her in with something even more sinister. Notable superhero scribe Simone (Secret Six) proves to be equally adept at psychedelic horror with this riveting excursion into the bizarre that deftly mixes understandable human motivations with all the best scares and gut-wrenching gore that typify the fright genre. Verdict Readers looking for compelling contemporary horror and mind-trip thrillers will best enjoy a sojourn into the Clean Room.-Douglas Rednour, Georgia State Univ. Libs., Atlanta © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.