Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Penny Nichols is 26, single, navigating through a myriad of jobs to make ends meet. When she meets two indie horror filmmakers at a shop, Penny agrees to be a background actor for their new project but ends up taking on the roles of scriptwriter, costume designer, casting director, set designer, and a bit of everything in between!
Created by M.K. Reed, Greg Means, and Matt Wiegle as the illustrator, “Penny Nichols” unfolds as an entertaining graphic novel chronicling the chaotic process of creating a small horror movie. The narrative revolves around a group of enthusiastic creatives who spontaneously navigate the challenges of producing a wild, blood-soaked film titled “Blood Wedding,” where the bride embarks on an unhinged murdering spree. With a director who often disappears and an enthusiastic yet directionless crew, Penny finds herself holding the reins to ensure the movie becomes a reality.
The protagonist, Penny, is immediately likable (at least to me) as a seemingly average American temp with a day job at her sister’s shop, peddling a not-so-tasty health drink. Armed with a penchant for sarcasm and dry humor, Penny expresses disdain for various aspects of her life, from her job to her snobby roommate. However, her disinterest takes an unexpected turn when the opportunity to be an extra in a small indie horror film arises. Rather than succumbing to chaos on the no-budget set, Penny assumes control, steering the production smoothly towards completing “Blood Wedding” in time for submission to “Splatter Con,” a film festival dedicated to independent horror movies.
The black-and-white artwork adds a cute, cartoonish, and expressive dimension to the graphic novel. With over a dozen characters making appearances, each design is distinctive, making it easy for readers to distinguish between them. Penny, a curvy and slightly matronly young woman, contrasts with Lix, the spunky brunette playing the serial killer bride, and Angela, the pregnant blonde director’s wife who also stars in the film. The diverse personalities of the male characters, like the portly, short middle-aged Max and the school-aged-looking Spazzy in charge of props, further add to the contrast. Introduced in the second half of the novel, Adam, a hilariously dramatic professor, injects humor with his Shakespearean spouting and theatrical audition for the groom role, even though nobody asks for it (and he would’ve been hired regardless, the crew simply has no options).
“Penny Nichols” exudes a certain joie de vivre, evolving from a story about an angry young woman into an amusing tale about the thrills and joys of creating a ridiculously over-the-top horror movie. A subplot involving Penny’s strained relationship with her older sister introduces familial drama that resonates with those familiar with judgmental siblings.
The narrative’s sole limitation, perhaps, lies in its monochromatic palette, missing the opportunity to showcase the vibrant blood in the making of “Blood Wedding.” Despite this, if you’re an indie horror fan, this graphic novel is a definite must-read.
Rating: 4 on 5. Penny Nichols is also on Kindle Unlimited.
Read Next: Thanos Rising Issues 1-5 Review
Also Read: A Man Called Ove – Orderline Oring (Audio Version Below)