Crossed 5

Crossed (Collected Editions) #5

by David Lapham (Writer), Jacen Burrows (Illustrator)

Volvemos a los primeros días del origen de la plaga de los Cruzados con dos historias escritas por dos maestros del horror moderno: David Lapham y David Hine.
En el instituto a Edmund le llaman "el meón" por ser un cobardica que se esconde bajo la mesa en cuanto atisba cualquier amenaza. Pero cuando los Cruzados se hacen con un circo ambulante, quizá sea su cobardía la que le salve de acabar en sus garras...
Mientras tanto, un grupo de universitarios egocéntricos y hedonistas se dirigen hacia la casa de un escritor-gurú. La idea es vivir un fin de semana repleto de experiencias interesantes explorando sus comportamientos ante la vida... Pero de repente se ven rodeados por asesinos enloquecidos. ¿Qué serán capaces de sacrificar para sobrevivir?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Graphic Novels Comics, Zombies, Comic Book, Bande Dessinée

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 26, 2013

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume five sees two more stories of nor particularly nice people betting caught up in the coming of the Crossed apocalypse. David Lapham's four-parter focuses on a young man who hides whenever he fears something and promptly falls asleep - a nice blend of dark humour of visceral horror! It also takes killer clowns to the ultimate dark place! 9 out of 12

The second story is a David Hine jam where pseudo yuppie intellectual hedonist (in reality arseholes) get the Crossed treatment in this very dark comedy with a lot more explicit sex and sexual violence than even the previous volumes! 8 out of 12

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 3 out of 5]

First story was so good that I'm going to forgive Lapham for his awful previous volumes of Crossed.
Which horror fan doesen't like gangs of bikers set against circus crazies? And that twisted ending was an hilarious 5 stars one.
Sadly second story, a sick and gross version of Poe's Masque of Red Death, was just too much extreme and terrible for my taste.

[Jesse A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still gross to the extreme. Still sexually gross to the extreme. I cant recommend this to anyone but I cant look away.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still continues to be one of the best horror series I've read, and also continues to be extremely gruesome.

For those of you have never read any of the Crossed series, let me just say up front don't get too attached to any of the characters. Each volume is pretty much an anthology with new characters, so you never know how things will end up.

This volume had 2 stories. The first dealt with a high school kid who always considered himself a wimp and then finds himself in the middle of a Crossed outbreak, at a circus no less. So we end up with infected zombie clowns, which is just as scary as you'd expect. Then things morph into bikers vs zombie clowns, and it's on. And the ending on this one...

Next we have a very original story regarding a Crossed outbreak at a writer's retreat. Some college students come to a retreat with a famous writer, which is weird and depraved enough on its own. Then there's a Crossed outbreak, and it just gets worse. The protagonist is similar to the one in the prior story, a sort of wimpy guy with personal issues who finds himself in quite a situation. The ending on this one is...well, no spoilers.

Side note, I do think the violence involving children in this series sometimes crosses a line, and the rape is excessive. However, it does always tie right into the story and even when it seems gratuitous, it is still playing a part.

I sometimes think this entire series is some type of commentary on humanity that's over my head, like something to do with humanity's cynicism and apathy towards graphic violence. Either way, it's always a good read for a horror fan.

[Brad Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it. Crossed. The sickest fucking series ever created. Every volume rules so far. I want them ALL.
5/5 Crossed Skulls
☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[Mykhailo Gasyuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ненавиджу історії про цирк. Невідомо чому купа дитячих мультиків та фільмів крутилася навколо нього, і ця моя нелюбов тягнеться з глибокого дитинства. Прості передбачувані сюжети, оригінальності яким додає, мабуть, лише не характерний для наших країв супутній ярмарок, навколо якого теж крутиться купка сюжетних тропів. І от уявіть собі той самий ярмарок з цирком під час епідемії хрестоносців. Так, жахливі клоуни та різні ярмаркові почвари стають ще огиднішими. І це все на очах у слабенького персонажа, якого булять всі знайомі, навіть рідний брат. Та хлопаку якимось чином вдається пережити перший контакт з оскаженілими хворими покидьками, і він навіть дивом опиняється у провінційному спротиві. Щоправда, на заваді майбутнім героїчним вчинкам стає хронічне боягузтво. Тобто персонаж не проходить циклу власного зростання, а діє як боягуз - тікає. Не маючи інших варіантів, хлопчина біжить у сусіднє містечко, де одразу починає кричати "Вовк! Вовк!", але увагу на нього звертають лише канонічні байкери (з нашивкою "1%", ага), які чомусь вірять йому і організовуються, щоб дати хрестоносцям відсіч. І знаєте що - навіть після того, як герою дали (для підлітків це надважливо) і дали покататися на байку, він все одно залишився сциклом.

Посеред бійні між байкерами та хретоносцями до боягуза, який чинив власну драму десь поряд із полем битви, приходить наш старий знайомий Гарольд з третьої частини і вчить хлопця життю... своєрідним чином. Та хлопцю далекувато до маніяка, і врешті решт він отримує те, на що заробив.

Дивно та відверто неприємно читати про персонажа, який змирився з тим, що його всі травлять. Якесь втілення нерішучості. Він зовсім не пручається.

Друга історія про те, як відомий письменник вирішує влаштувати головомийку своїм критикам і запрошує їх до своєї садиби. Головна мета - скинути з себе всю цивілізованість, відкритися, стати справжнім собою. Ну, і поцькувати тих, хто йому не до душі. Аж раптом стаються хрестоносці, але гості садиби, як і сам власник, про те й гадки не мають. Що ж, еталонне дикунство зустрічає свій елітарний ерзац і дає йому просратися. Цю історію не хочеться спойлити, в ній є купа цікавих ходів, і вона виправдовує існування 5-ї частини серії.

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 4 out of 5]

These two stories , each with four books of around 100 pages are a bit different. The first one is about a scary yellow boy who has been afraid all of his life and now must deal with the most frightning thing imaginable. The ending was really unexpected BUT desirable. Oh killer clowns vs biker gangs - what could go wrong.

The second tale is a reimagined tale of Poe and Red Death tale. It's about a group of people who will do everything in the name of art. It's depresssing to see that "normal" humanity is able to be worse that the crossed. I love it.

Good story as well but worse than the last.

[Sergeant Apone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 5 of Crossed contains two stories. One involves a coward. The other is about a group of 20 something’s who agree to go to a mysterious writer’s. I enjoyed “Yellow Belly,” the coward more. It involved a cool backstory involving the Crossed.

[Koen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, two interesting stories to say the least :)

[Kris Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those sick bastards at Avatar Press have brought us another grisly, disturbing helping of depravity known as Crossed. No taboo or societal mores are too much for these guys to violate. This time out we get two arcs, Yellow Belly and The Golden Road.
In Yellow Belly Avatar mainstay David Lapham teams up with original series artist Jacen Burrows in a story about a cowardly teenage nerd who gets his nickname from wetting his pants in the sixth grade. He has never been able to live down this shame, and the small town where he has just graduated from high school won't let him, either.

Edmund Wickenthorp (Yellow Belly)'s family goes to a circus 20 miles away as part of his graduation present. The Crossed stumble upon the circus and begin infecting the performers and soon, the entire audience. Edmund's father hides him in a barrel, and he watches his father and brother get killed through a hole in that barrel. When he recovers, he races to his hometown to warn his family that the Crossed-infected circus is coming to town...only nobody believes him. I'm going to skip my synopsis for the rest of this arc for fear of spoilers, suffice it to say pretty much everyone dies in a horrid way. What else would you expect out of Crossed? Sunshine and lollipops?

The second arc, The Golden Road, is equally disturbing. Welles is a famous author who hosts writer retreats in Samarkand, his mansion where he brings a group of people he handpicks to engage in what is essentially a sick game of psychological warfare. Things go haywire when the Crossed come to town.

Clues as to the origins of the Crossed are spread like breadcrumbs throughout the various series. We finally have verification that this event is occurring simultaneously around the world. One of the variant covers provides the most interesting clue yet. It shows a miner/explorer in a cave with what look like caveman or Native American drawings of what appear to be the Crossed, and skull with the Crossed infection marking on it. Could this be some sort of Native American curse? Ancient aliens? An ancient plague? From a meteor? Again, we have no real answers, only clues and questions. I kind of hope to never find a definitive answer. Questions are more fun than answers.

As always, I am disappointed in myself as a human being for loving this sick sh*t so much. It's wrong and I know it but I am looking forward to the next hardcover collected edition. This series seems to stand in the shadow of The Walking Dead. If The Walking Dead is the more popular title, it would be like the Metallica of Horror comic books. Crossed is like the Slayer of Horror comic books, way cooler and far edgier but doomed to never get the credit it deserves due to its extreme nature.

[Brian Rosenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crossed Vol. 5 - There is no hope
It’s Vol. 5 of the Crossed. Two stores this volume. Strap yourself in.

We’re introduced to Edmund AKA Yellow Belly and his high school classmates. It’s high school graduation. Edmund, his Dad and brother (Mom stayed home) visit the circus to celebrate. Enter the Crossed. Edmund calls it a “Geek uprising.” Edmund survives. His Dad and brother aren’t so fortunate. The circus is on the move. Exit Mom. The town survivors seek vengeance. It doesn’t go well.

Edmund becomes a herald, warning others of the Crossed. A biker gang heeds his words. Carnage ensues. We get a cameo from Harold Lorre, the psychopath who I believe debuted in Volume 3. He offers young Edmund some survival tips.

Edmund finally becomes a hero in the eyes of some, but not for long.

New storyline. Welcome to a Writers Retreat and what a disturbing retreat it proves to be. Gideon Welles is the author holding the six-week retreat. No contact with the outside world. Clooney and his girlfriend Tabitha are among the writers.

At dinner, Gideon goads another author, Jae, into punching a waiter. “Hit him harder,“ Gideon commands.

The next exercise the writers are to kill their meal, a pig. The writers take their turn with the knife, except for Clooney.

Meanwhile, there’s a train full of the Crossed. Local law enforcement has the right idea, “… Just get the Hell out of there before it’s too late.” Local cop Lorna is introduced as part of the train disaster. She rescues her young niece Philly. Too late for Grandpa and her parents.

Back at the retreat, Gideon discusses Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death.” Clooney bails with the punched-out waiter, Nathan. They head into town, where Clooney learns variations on Gideon’s back story. The outing goes to Hell when they run into the Crossed and Lorna and Philly.

“The whole town’s gone insane.”

Clooney arrives back at the retreat. An orgy is in progress. Tabitha is busy with Gideon.

Clooney reintroduces Gideon to Nathan, now one of the Crossed.

The Crossed crash the retreat, with no interest in writing. Survivors? You have to read Vol. 6.

Great cover gallery.

[Vittorio Rainone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continua il viaggio negli orrori degli scriciati, con un nuovo split volume che raccoglie due racconti: Pisciasotto e La via dorata. Il legame fra i due pare l'indole iniziale dei protagonisti, che appaiono remissivi e introversi, salvo poi superare nel modo peggiore entrambe le caratteristiche, acquistando quel tratto sociopatico tipico dei sopravvissuti all'epidemia. Nel primo caso, Pisciasotto è il classico emarginato delle High School, quello che ragazzi e ragazze non fanno altro che prendere in giro. QUando gli scrociati entrano nell'equazione, in un circo dove il protagonista vedrà morire il fratello e morire (oltre che perdere la verginità anale) il padre, per lui è il momento di fuggire, avvisare altri, ma essenzialmente nascondersi. La storia lo segue fino all'unico atto di eroismo, che lo porta, per sbaglio, ad uccidere una ragazza sana, e alla punizione per tale atto, che ci conduce al finale. In "La via dorata", ci ritroviamo nella folle villa di un multimilionario, scrittore di successo, che accoglie gruppi di aspiranti narratori con il solo scopo di portarli all'eccesso e cercare di farli impazzire o crollare. Tutto quello che comunica di aspirare a fare, e cioè la liberazione dei suoi ospiti attraverso il raggiungimento dell'onestà sessuale, diventa orrenda realtà quando gli scrociati raggiungono la sua villa. La storia è raccontata dal suo ospite più timido, che si trasforma in aguzzino e quindi succhia il sangue da un dito infetto per diventare scrociato e portare a compimento la sua vendetta. Insomma: due racconti che ci riportano a quando è iniziato tutto, e ci mostrano tutta l'anormalità di un mondo normale popolato da normali cattive persone. Difficile dire, dopo i precedenti volumi, se Crossed continua davvero a colpire. Forse sarebbe ora di iniziare a cambiare registro e proporre una evoluzione della faccenda, invece di continuare la carrellata di schifezze. In ogni caso, leggendolo di tanto in tanto, Crossed continua ad essere una lettura abbastanza divertente (a modo suo).

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 5 of Crossed covers issues #10-18 of the "Badlands" ongoing series and covers two arcs. David Lapham and Jacen Burrows take on the first arc (issues #10-13) as they follow the story of a kid named Edmund, who is cruelly nicknamed Yellow Belly by his peers due to his meekness and cowardice. Edmund witnesses the collapse of society as his small town is besieged by the influx of the Crossed, leaving him to find a way to survive amongst his fellow schoolmates who have previously derided him. Though he slowly manages to build up his confidence, Edmund often finds himself regressing into a more selfish and perverse individual. This arc loosely connects to Lapham's previous Crossed arc, "Psychopath". As is common with many Crossed stories thus far, this one features a lot of unlikable characters and Edmund is pretty vile even if at times you do feel a bit bad for him. There is a ton of great dark humor peppered in here that serve to provide a great punchline to end this four-issue arc.

The second arc (issues #14-18) is by David Hine and Eduardo Vienna and centers on a group of people at a writer's retreat at the onset of the Crossed infection spread. Even without the presence of the Crossed, the retreat devolves into a hedonistic ordeal as famous author Gideon Welles actively promotes a cult-like mentality. The contrast between the fantastical nature of Welles' retreat and the carnage ensuing just outside as the Crossed ravage the nearby town underscore just how depravity is innate to human nature.

Both stories were demented but fun as many of the other Crossed stories are. While the anthology style of "Badlands" isn't conducive towards building on a larger story, the ability for different creative teams to tackle a diverse array of really out there stories makes it pretty entertaining overall.

[OmniBen · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review)
I said a week ago after finishing volume 4 that I was going to take a break from this series. Foolishly, I didn't heed my own advice. I've been overexposed to David Lapham recently (two Crossed stories and The Strain series, all of which had seen my impression of the man go from relatively high regard to barely hovering above disdain. I've said this before now, but how this guy managed to pen Stray Bullets is beyond me. His hits to miss ratio continues to widen. Sadly for him (and me) he pens the first of two stories here, which has done nothing to redress the balance between or my feelings towards his abilities. He's like an eager yet inexperienced teenager, clumsily fumbling with a bra for the first time. Putting about as much thought into the activity as he does with his writing. He fumbles here with his pen as much as the metaphorical teenager, confronted with potential tits for the first time. Not only that, but this story seems about on par with what your average fourteen year old would write. Awkwardly ambling along in all its average glory, with little to elevate this above his other lacklustre work. Even Jacen Burrows' art can't save this one. And the less said about the second story the better. A potentially unique idea ruined by a complete lack of characterisation and believable dialogue, and the worst art of any issue to date. I'm really getting sick of this series pretty quickly. It was always overly gratuitous, although there was some potential to tell some really cool, unorthodox and mature stories. Instead, we have quickly descended into tasteless, talentless gore porn. I do hope this improves, and quickly. 2/5


OmniBen.

[Ian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute filth. Everything David Lapham and David Hine have written for Crossed has completely missed the point of Ennis’ Crossed. They indulge the extreme horror and sexual violence in a giddy, voyeuristic way, and even if there’s a woman at the end who kicks ass and lives to see another day, the ends never justify the means, story-wise.

The rape and sadism are artless and rendered in such a way as to almost try to tempt the reader into enjoying it. The authors are telling on themselves in all the worst ways.

The vilest stuff I have ever read. Fills me with rage.

Read Garth Ennis’ Crossed, read Simon Spurrier’s “I Wish You Were Here” run on Crossed. They both understand that the universe of Crossed, the whole point of it, is to simultaneously indict humanity for its unforgivable flaws and plant seeds of hope representative of our best attempts at being good.

Lapham and Hine don’t get it. I am shocked this stuff ever made it to print.

Also, whatever you do, do not read Lapham’s Psychopath run on Crossed. It is full on rape fantasy and beyond appalling. To this day, nothing (outside of this volume) has ever incensed me more or inspired such disgust. Reprehensible.

I love Crossed for what it can achieve—through, yes, insane violence and crimes against humanity—by illuminating the best and worst of human beings.

Lapham and Hine? They just want to see naked women as often as possible, preferably in situations where the women in question are being assaulted in the worst imaginable ways. These are creator-made decisions informed by arrested development and the depraved visions of horny incels. There is absolutely no way to justify what they have done.

[Oscar Leal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Números #10–13 (Yellow Belly, por David Lapham y Burrows) 3 Estrellas ☆☆☆
No es la gran cosa, está dentro del promedio del argumento narrativo que presenta la franquicia. Lo más interesante aquí es que todo recae en un novel de morbosidad, terror y humor oscuro más innovador con un circo de fenomenos y payasos de por medio. El cambio de psicología de supervivientes cambia radicalmente. El que llora y se esconde, que traiciona y sucumbe ante su debilidad moral solo para sobrevivir un poco más, es malvado a su manera. Todos reciben su merecido a final de cuentas, la conciencia lo grita como en aquel cuento de Poe. Tiene buenos momentos, pero mayoritariamente es una historia normalita.

Números #14–18 (The Golden Road, por David Hine) 4 Estrellas ☆☆☆☆
Morboso, transgresor, poético y politicamente incorrecto. Innovador aunque cuente con un arte por debajo del promedio. Es quizás una de las historias más doblemoralistas que alcanzan a tener un significado dentro de lineas tan superficiales. Buscar dejar de reprimir un mundo donde el pecado, la falsedad, la carne y el ego están de por medio para encontrar una reacción dentro de un mundo con una perspectiva tan cuadrada, podría no ser una buena idea. Un flanco que no se había tocado antes.

[Judah Radd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. The Badlands run is definitely where it’s at.

While this is definitely less gratuitous than the first two volumes, it’s still really fucking awful.

That being said, these storylines are still very interesting and thought provoking.

I will say this; I’m glad I’m reading this now. I sincerely believe that this would have hindered my development of I’d have read it as a kid. This is dark, corrupting shit. The world would be a better place if it didn’t exist, tbh. I can see how many people could develop a negative world view from reading this the wrong way. This should only be read by adults in their 30s who already have a firm grasp on their worldview and values.

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The crossed are referred to as Geeks in this volume, with a travelling circus as the point of outbreak. Nothing spookier than the crossed in clown make up. There are two unrelated stories here. The first one is told from the POV of a high school loser. He joins a biker gang at some point with a surprise cameo from a familiar face. The ending was quite a shocker (yet satisfying). But nothing compared to the second story overall. I’m still disturbed. So, I don’t feel like talking about it. But this doesn’t mean I’m not eager to get my hands on the next volume.

[Danny Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES IS THIS SERIES FOR CHILDREN, TWEENS OR TEENS. STRICTLY ADULT.

TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE, MURDER, CANNIBALISM, RAPE, ANIMAL CRUELTY, BEASTIALITY

I am the kind of person that likes the most messed up things aka shock value. This series has it and it hides literally nothing. As I pride myself in my PC moral ways this is in no way PC.

this is probably one of my favorite in the series, there's hella karma, lots of revenge and twists, even a Snobby artist who gets what's coming. <3

But there is a scene were animals get VERY abused so avoid if that will trigger.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the first story Yellow Belly. Not everyone is courageous and brave. Edmund was just trying to survive in his own yellow sleepy way. 🤡🍌

The second story The Golden Road, not so much.
Nathan was probably my favorite character and that's saying something... 🐽

4⭐
I'm rounding this one up for Yellow Belly. I mean, crazy killer clowns?! Also let's be honest, this kid wakes up from the worst night of this life and eats a banana! A freaking banana of all things!! Can you imagine arguing with someone while eating a banana. Just plain silly. 💛

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually pretty good!

The first part was about a kid who passes out and is terrified of danger. Then joins a biker gang to fight off the crossed. It was fun.

The second part was based around a guy who gives me Andrew Tate vibes. A group of people go to a mansion and he tries to break them mentally to create an interesting story. I think I enjoyed the 2nd story more than the first

[Amanda Savieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly better than the others so far in the Badlands series. This one was entertaining, gory and had some awesome characters. Loved the 'writers retreat' idea or 'finding themselves in the worst possible way'.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

He vuelto a reencontrarme con el Crossed de los primeros volúmenes. Las ilustraciones siguen siendo brutales pero además, se apoyan en dos tramas sólidas, porque este volumen nos cuenta dos historias distintas centrándose en un tipo de protagonista, el chico apocado, cobarde, tímido y tranquilo.

[Sylvester · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant improvement from the first volume. The first story features an extremely dislikeable protagonist, but the 70s exploitation style worked really well; The second story was as predictable as it gets, but it had similar style to works by Clive Barker, which made it rather enjoyable.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shit fuckin rrrrrrocks!!!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is finally catching up to the violence

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just gonna call this now. Crossed is the greatest series ever written.

[Guille_book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Espero que los próximos volúmenes estén más variados porque esto se está empezando a volver monótonos.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edmund Wickenthorp is the class geek. He is lucky, but not too lucky. The story has some funny twists that end in bloody confrontations and a score of explosive headshots. Very close to laugh-out-loud level because of sheer ridiculousness of it all.

Edmund's father takes him and his brother to the circus in a neighbouring town. A crossed shows up out of nowhere and starts infecting people. Edmund survives by hiding in a barrel, but everyone else gets killed or infected. In Edmond's home town the 18-year-olds band together and plan an assault against the infected, but the latter drive a truck through them. Again, Edmund is the only survivor. He tries to warn the bikers who gather for an attack on the infected. It goes well, but Edmund botches his contribution and tries to cover it up. He can't keep the secret and the bikers turn on him. The crossed step in again in cop cars and Edmund gets away with one of the biker girls. And gets laid, then gets dead. The ending is stupid funny, but funny nonetheless.

The second story is in the house of an rich excentric guy. He hosts a contest where eight people are chosen to spend six weeks in his house and assume a role. This arc is unusual because we get to see what an infected feels as he is turning.

The crossed come into town by train and cause havoc. The narrator narrowly escapes with his life and manages to shut an infected in a walk-in fridge. He then takes his revenge on everyone at the mansion because of the humiliations he suffered using an infected severed finger. He infects himself right as the crossed are storming the mansion. 'No survivors' has been the main theme so far.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This "zombie apocalypse" series is waking up the writer in me. I would never be able to write as gruesomely as other books in this series, and I would prefer to write as prose instead of as a graphic novel, but the possibilities are intriguing.

Take a flawed character and give him a decent backstory. Then have the world go crazy around him and make him figure out how to survive. Or her. Sorry for the gender pronouns.

This volume - number 5 - presents two stories. One is about a teenager who is bullied by his classmates. He goes to the circus when all hell breaks loose and has to team up with those classmates to survive against the Crossed. The second is about a guy who goes to a writers retreat where the participants are supposed to lay themselves bare and act on their aggressions and impulses; and then the Crossed come and show how it's really done. That one had an interesting conclusion.

I'd like some answers, though. I think that's a trope within zombie apocalypse tales - not knowing what started it all - but I am now five volumes done, which is about 35 issues ... I'd like some questions answered.

Don't read this series, unless you're into this sort of horror writing. If you're not sure you are, then you're not. Trust me.