The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Grind #3
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Grind #3
Written by Brian Pulido
Art by Daniel HDR
Released: 2006
Publisher: Avatar Press
Premise: In 2005, Avatar Press began releasing titles from New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” license, which includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Platinum Dune’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Picking up after the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Special, Avatar began publishing the three issue mini-series: The Grind.
Leatherface lives on! Writer Brian Pulido returns to unleash more psychological terror now teaming with sensational new artist Daniel HDR. Fuller Texas. Summer 1972. The Jefferson Girl’s Choir is traveling across the state for a revival meeting and makes the horrible mistake of a stop at the Hewitt family General store. They enter a horrifying world of madness and depravity that their bible-fearing beliefs couldn’t prepare them for as Leatherface, Sheriff Hoyt, Old Monty, Luda May and the entire Hewitt clan hunt them down and torture them. Can any of them survive or will they be the new masks of Leatherface?
Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Julie Ann, Marsha, and Sadie scatter, with Leatherface in close pursuit. They manage to outwit their attacker however, by hiding in another part of the barn. Marsha, panicked by Leatherface’s stalking, makes a run for it, leaving Julie Ann and Sadie behind. Leatherface chases after and mercilessly kills her outside the barn. Thinking it safe to escape in the opposite direction, Julie Ann and Sadie are soon discovered and knocked out by the other members of the Hewitt clan. Sheriff Hoyt happens upon Julie Ann’s letter, and along with Luda May, comes up with a plan for its use. When Julie Ann finally comes to, she is tied to a chair, along with Sadie across from her. Old Monty flirts inappropriately with Sadie, and after she refuses his advances, strangles and kills her in front of Julie Ann. Afterward, Leatherface enters the room and Monty calls Julie Ann for himself. Luda May says she will decide “who gets who” over dinner. Later, Luda May and the rest of the Hewitt family hear Monty’s arguments at the dinner table. Tea Lady has also brought Ellie, who sits at a kid’s table in the other room. After a brief exchange, Luda May decides that Julie Ann is Monty’s, and that they best celebrate their “wedding night.” When Monty tries to seduce Julie Ann later that night, she escapes her bonds and beats Monty over the head, knocking him to the floor. She then finds Ellie, and for defense, grabs one of Leatherface’s chainsaws. Julie Ann and Ellie flee the house and make it to the main road, where Julie Ann flags down a car with chainsaw in hand. Both she and Ellie ride away to safety. Some time later, Hoyt gloats while reading the morning newspaper. The headline article details Julie Ann’s murder spree, the bodies of her schoolmates and instructors found inside their bus, and an incriminating letter confessing that sometimes she just “wants to kill” her classmates. Julie Ann has since been committed to a psychiatric institution, where her claims of the murderous Hewitt family go unheard.
The Good: A satisfying conclusion to this three issue mini-series. This issue brings a strong resolution, with an outcome that is actually believable. The artwork and writing continue to be solid, with the villains presented as close as possible to their film counterparts. Gore fans will enjoy Leatherface’s kill this issue too, as the bloody death gets a very large and detailed panel. It is also good that Monty gets some panel time, especially since he has been ignored for most of the story. What started out as a bland tale revved up in the last two issues to be a very enjoyable read.
The Bad: Again, not much this issue. Pacing is a little off toward the end of the story, with Julie Ann and Monty’s panels together, and her subsequent escape. Julie Ann’s figure is once again illustrated too mature for her assumed age, but overall, does not negatively impact the story. Just like the previous issues, multiple covers for #3, maximum annoyance.
Final Comments: This issue serves as a fine resolution, tying up the story in a plausible way. Gore fans will enjoy the blood in this issue, which will give allowance for the gaps in pacing. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Grind ended up being a traditional Texas Chainsaw Massacre tale.
Grade: B
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