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Nailbiter #5-6
Nailbiter: The Murder Edition, Vol. 3
Sixteen of the world’s most notorious serial killers were all born and raised in Buckaroo, Oregon—and for years, no one knew why. Now, the truth is finally revealed… but at what cost?This deluxe oversized hardcover edition collects the fifth and sixth story arcs of the blood-soaked crime drama, plus the NAILBITER/HACK/SLASH crossover one-shot and never-before-collected bonus material, including sketches, a process section, and script pages.
Collects NAILBITER #21-30, NAILBITER/HACK/SLASH (ONE-SHOT)
Collects NAILBITER #21-30, NAILBITER/HACK/SLASH (ONE-SHOT)
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 17, 2025
(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Nailbiter, Vol. 5: Bound By Blood
- Nailbiter, Vol. 6: The Bloody Truth
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Nailbiter, Vol. 5: Bound By Blood
- Nailbiter, Vol. 6: The Bloody Truth
August 14, 2019
A book with an ending so stupid the author had to include a note defending it, sort of like a person who trips and says "I meant to do that." I gave up caring long ago who the Big Bad was or why any of the stuff in this book was happening. I just read the pages to satisfy my own sense of completion.
-deep breath-
-exhale-
I am done with this. That is good, even if this is not.
-deep breath-
-exhale-
I am done with this. That is good, even if this is not.
September 23, 2019
I started this series largely in part because I found it on a list of graphic novels with a conclusion. This volume is about as much of a conclusion as I could hope for from this story but the last page has THE END? stamped on it in blood so who the hell knows.
Overall I had a good time reading this series. It's mindless horror full of scary imagery, bloody gore, creative torture, mad scientists, spooky underground tunnels, and lots more. I think it's a good one to pick up around halloween to get that gore hound fix. Just don't expect it to be anything more than that.
for more reviews and content please visit my new blog amanjareads.com
Overall I had a good time reading this series. It's mindless horror full of scary imagery, bloody gore, creative torture, mad scientists, spooky underground tunnels, and lots more. I think it's a good one to pick up around halloween to get that gore hound fix. Just don't expect it to be anything more than that.
for more reviews and content please visit my new blog amanjareads.com
March 7, 2023
Zadovoljavajuce razresenje, efektan kraj, na kraju sve zajedno, dopalo mi se vise nego sto sam ocekivao.
April 18, 2021
I did a non spoiler review for this series that you can watch here if you're interested: https://youtu.be/QY_jVLbUdI4
August 27, 2020
Wheelspinning right up to the end. The final two issues give some answers - they're not particularly satisfying, though they're answers. Good on Joshua Williamson for not pulling a total Lost at least.
The art seems better in this third Murder Edition. That's my only real takeaway. I'm glad I'm finished with the Nailbiter series. I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone.
The art seems better in this third Murder Edition. That's my only real takeaway. I'm glad I'm finished with the Nailbiter series. I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone.
August 27, 2019
I can't say I am totally satisfied with that End, but it was a good story overall and i think it was even stretched a little bit.
as for the art it remains one of the best things in this series
as for the art it remains one of the best things in this series
April 28, 2019
Lots of Nuttiness; Almost No Hack/Slash
I'm not especially enamored of "Nailbiter", but I always get a kick out of Hack/Slash and this hardback collection and crossover certainly looked intriguing. It collects "Nailbiter" Issues 21 through 30, (which are also available as a two trade paperbacks series, "Bound by Blood" and "The Bloody Truth"). These are the final Nailbiter story arcs, and they appear to close out the series. We open with a brief Hack/Slash run-in with Nailbiter, and I thought this was a prologue sample. Turns out that opening quickie is the only appearance of Hack/Slash, so the whole crossover Hack/Slash promo is misleading.
This far into the series the Nailbiter premise is getting pretty stretched. I get it that it's odd to have at least sixteen over-the-top serial killers all come from one little town. But to have the police chief of that town trying to figure out why, and to have all the townspeople sitting around arguing about whether it's because of a curse, or water pollution, or aliens, or a secret government project, just feels like a parody. As this story develops it looks like we're going to focus on the "Butcher", who may be some super-serial-killer who's behind it all, and we're going to focus on Alice, Nailbiter's daughter. That was fine by me because it gave the tale some focus. And darn it, once we got two issues in I was hooked. This series may be odd, and it may feel like it shouldn't work, and it may be uneven, and it may be randomly plotted, but it is somehow addictive.
NO MORE EVEN MILD SPOILERS, except to say that all of the threads get tied up in terms of where the characters are at the end. Big questions are all answered and any other problems or questions get the "then everyone was hit by a bus" treatment. Given the wacky plot gyrations throughout the book I guess the resolutions they came up with were the best that could be expected.
For newbies this might feel like too far into the series to be starting. But, it's actually O.K.. There's a lot of subtle monologuing that will bring you up to speed without it feeling like there's a bunch of info dumps, but just to be safe there are also a lot of final info dumps and some serious villain monologuing. There are lots of references to other characters, many of whom are dead by this point, but the context gives you enough info to follow what's happening and you gradually get caught up.
So, I came for the Hack/Slash and I stayed for the Nailbiter. This is a long read, and I pretty much feel like I've satisfied my funny-gory-violence requirement for the year.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
I'm not especially enamored of "Nailbiter", but I always get a kick out of Hack/Slash and this hardback collection and crossover certainly looked intriguing. It collects "Nailbiter" Issues 21 through 30, (which are also available as a two trade paperbacks series, "Bound by Blood" and "The Bloody Truth"). These are the final Nailbiter story arcs, and they appear to close out the series. We open with a brief Hack/Slash run-in with Nailbiter, and I thought this was a prologue sample. Turns out that opening quickie is the only appearance of Hack/Slash, so the whole crossover Hack/Slash promo is misleading.
This far into the series the Nailbiter premise is getting pretty stretched. I get it that it's odd to have at least sixteen over-the-top serial killers all come from one little town. But to have the police chief of that town trying to figure out why, and to have all the townspeople sitting around arguing about whether it's because of a curse, or water pollution, or aliens, or a secret government project, just feels like a parody. As this story develops it looks like we're going to focus on the "Butcher", who may be some super-serial-killer who's behind it all, and we're going to focus on Alice, Nailbiter's daughter. That was fine by me because it gave the tale some focus. And darn it, once we got two issues in I was hooked. This series may be odd, and it may feel like it shouldn't work, and it may be uneven, and it may be randomly plotted, but it is somehow addictive.
NO MORE EVEN MILD SPOILERS, except to say that all of the threads get tied up in terms of where the characters are at the end. Big questions are all answered and any other problems or questions get the "then everyone was hit by a bus" treatment. Given the wacky plot gyrations throughout the book I guess the resolutions they came up with were the best that could be expected.
For newbies this might feel like too far into the series to be starting. But, it's actually O.K.. There's a lot of subtle monologuing that will bring you up to speed without it feeling like there's a bunch of info dumps, but just to be safe there are also a lot of final info dumps and some serious villain monologuing. There are lots of references to other characters, many of whom are dead by this point, but the context gives you enough info to follow what's happening and you gradually get caught up.
So, I came for the Hack/Slash and I stayed for the Nailbiter. This is a long read, and I pretty much feel like I've satisfied my funny-gory-violence requirement for the year.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
February 16, 2024
Review of the entire series
Oh my god, Nailbiter... This series can be credited for my introduction to both horror and comic books, and what an introduction it was! There's just so much to love here. If the series is good enough that it makes me like a cop--let alone two--you know it's good.
Maybe nostalgia is coloring my judgement a bit here, but there are just so many classic tropes in these comics that make this whole series such a fun read. The plot is engaging, the art is great, and there's a surprising amount of complexity. I mean, the big reveal that Warren--who is practically being hand-fed a redemption arc that eventually feeds into a happy ending--tested 'negative'?! Insane when I read it for the first time and even more fun now.
I love what this series says about how much the preconceptions we have of ourselves and others influence the rest of our lives. I love that, ultimately, what makes a serial killer in this story is not the results of a test, but rather each individual's moral strength. Throughout the series, we're led to believe that Warren was wronged in some way (and he was, admittedly)--and whatever they put him through forced him to become a serial killer. There's so much built-up tension, so much excitement as we build up to the big moment when all is forgiven... and we don't get it. Instead, we see Warren realize that he lost his way because he wasn't strong enough to fight against his own selfishness--that he could have had everything if only he felt himself worthy of having it.
By contrast, we see Barker--who tests positive--turn the idea of a preconcieved destiny on its head by rejecting what The Master does to her and electing to save Finch, Alice, and Crane. What separates Warren from the rest of the main cast is not his ability to kill, it's the fact that he chose to. Alice and Finch both have confirmed kills in the series and Crane is certainly capable of it, but they're all striving to distance themselves from that--to be better people than the world thinks they're destined to be. To do something good for others. Ultimately, Warren wasn't trapped by the town or it's 'curse,' but by his inability to look past it.
I love this series so much.
Two sidenotes:
1. Finch is my beloved and that full-page spread of him in the final issue?! Well!
2. We're not going to talk about Nailbiter Returns. It doesn't exist to me and I'm pretending everything that happens after Shannon gets in the shower in the final scene simply... didn't.
Oh my god, Nailbiter... This series can be credited for my introduction to both horror and comic books, and what an introduction it was! There's just so much to love here. If the series is good enough that it makes me like a cop--let alone two--you know it's good.
Maybe nostalgia is coloring my judgement a bit here, but there are just so many classic tropes in these comics that make this whole series such a fun read. The plot is engaging, the art is great, and there's a surprising amount of complexity. I mean, the big reveal that Warren--who is practically being hand-fed a redemption arc that eventually feeds into a happy ending--tested 'negative'?! Insane when I read it for the first time and even more fun now.
I love what this series says about how much the preconceptions we have of ourselves and others influence the rest of our lives. I love that, ultimately, what makes a serial killer in this story is not the results of a test, but rather each individual's moral strength. Throughout the series, we're led to believe that Warren was wronged in some way (and he was, admittedly)--and whatever they put him through forced him to become a serial killer. There's so much built-up tension, so much excitement as we build up to the big moment when all is forgiven... and we don't get it. Instead, we see Warren realize that he lost his way because he wasn't strong enough to fight against his own selfishness--that he could have had everything if only he felt himself worthy of having it.
By contrast, we see Barker--who tests positive--turn the idea of a preconcieved destiny on its head by rejecting what The Master does to her and electing to save Finch, Alice, and Crane. What separates Warren from the rest of the main cast is not his ability to kill, it's the fact that he chose to. Alice and Finch both have confirmed kills in the series and Crane is certainly capable of it, but they're all striving to distance themselves from that--to be better people than the world thinks they're destined to be. To do something good for others. Ultimately, Warren wasn't trapped by the town or it's 'curse,' but by his inability to look past it.
I love this series so much.
Two sidenotes:
1. Finch is my beloved and that full-page spread of him in the final issue?! Well!
2. We're not going to talk about Nailbiter Returns. It doesn't exist to me and I'm pretending everything that happens after Shannon gets in the shower in the final scene simply... didn't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2023
Well I’m an outlier here but perhaps I’m just easy to please but I really liked this last installment.
(But still, one question, how old was Morty🤔😅.)
(But still, one question, how old was Morty🤔😅.)
January 10, 2020
Well, I guess most of the "questions" that came up during the course of the story were answered. All at once, which kind of felt forced, but...eh.
I feel like this ended satisfyingly enough. I know that the series is up for continuation, but I honestly think my Nailbiter appetite has been sated.
I feel like this ended satisfyingly enough. I know that the series is up for continuation, but I honestly think my Nailbiter appetite has been sated.
July 13, 2024
SAL Book Bingo squares
- Couldn't put it down
- Set in the Northwest
- Suggested by an elder
- Fiction
- Comics
- One word title
- Crime fiction
Reread edit:
2024 summer book bingo square: Something that scares you
- Couldn't put it down
- Set in the Northwest
- Suggested by an elder
- Fiction
- Comics
- One word title
- Crime fiction
Reread edit:
2024 summer book bingo square: Something that scares you
May 15, 2020
Yeah there was no way this ending was ever going to live up to the rest of the comic but still worth the ride
July 17, 2020
Nailbiter was quickly becoming a series that was all hanging on the ending for me. Yes, the build up was exceptionally taut and page-turning, but was the pay off going to be satisfying?
Well... Mostly yes and a little bit of no.
Without any spoilers or specifics, the climax to this story had elements of a satisfying pay off, a splash of anticlimactic moments and one small eye-roller.
But overall, this is one series I would definitely classify as an "inhaler".
One could devour all three deluxe hardcovers on a lazy Sunday and have a nailbiting time. Sorry.
The art is stellar and the panelling is top notch. Each reveal moment was wonderfully built up through smaller panels and snappy dialogue that intensified with each passing panel, leading to a big splash - or blood spatter - page. Really inventive use of the medium.
These three hardcovers are also beautiful to look at and have delightfully creepy covers. They look great on the shelf.
It's not a groundbreaking book by any means, so don't look for the complexity and emotional/psychological depth of something like Saga, but Nailbiter does not lack in interesting characters. The core four as I began to call them; Shannon Crane, Alice, Finch and of course the Nailbiter himself, Warren, were all rich and intriguing.
A fun read!
Well... Mostly yes and a little bit of no.
Without any spoilers or specifics, the climax to this story had elements of a satisfying pay off, a splash of anticlimactic moments and one small eye-roller.
But overall, this is one series I would definitely classify as an "inhaler".
One could devour all three deluxe hardcovers on a lazy Sunday and have a nailbiting time. Sorry.
The art is stellar and the panelling is top notch. Each reveal moment was wonderfully built up through smaller panels and snappy dialogue that intensified with each passing panel, leading to a big splash - or blood spatter - page. Really inventive use of the medium.
These three hardcovers are also beautiful to look at and have delightfully creepy covers. They look great on the shelf.
It's not a groundbreaking book by any means, so don't look for the complexity and emotional/psychological depth of something like Saga, but Nailbiter does not lack in interesting characters. The core four as I began to call them; Shannon Crane, Alice, Finch and of course the Nailbiter himself, Warren, were all rich and intriguing.
A fun read!
March 11, 2021
It was an OK book. Didn't really interest me anymore because of the series turn to focusing on The Mystery. The answers to the Buckeroo Butchers was not what I was reading for. I read for the characters and that was ultimately what kept me reading: I thought that Alice was in great risk of turning into a Buckeroo Butcher for example. That thread is what I was most interested in and I expected the course of the story to reflect that, but it didn't.
What it comes down to, I think, is that Joshua's intention for the story wasn't my cup of tea. So the Two Stars are definitely just my experience: because I only barely enjoyed it. I just never liked these kind of scenes where there's a big fight against the bad guys. Those fights never really interested me. All about the build up for me and because that was all mystery-infused I couldn't enjoy that much.
The spin they put on The Nailbiter, though, I thought was fucking epic. NUCLEAR SPOILER: He actually didn't have a killer gene nor was he conditioned by the Master to kill: He was just a fucking serial killer obsessed with biting nails. So yea... I thought was fucking genius xd.
What it comes down to, I think, is that Joshua's intention for the story wasn't my cup of tea. So the Two Stars are definitely just my experience: because I only barely enjoyed it. I just never liked these kind of scenes where there's a big fight against the bad guys. Those fights never really interested me. All about the build up for me and because that was all mystery-infused I couldn't enjoy that much.
The spin they put on The Nailbiter, though, I thought was fucking epic. NUCLEAR SPOILER: He actually didn't have a killer gene nor was he conditioned by the Master to kill: He was just a fucking serial killer obsessed with biting nails. So yea... I thought was fucking genius xd.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
The explanation of the Buckaroo Butchers was alright. It was slightly monotone but the second ending to the book, the last 10 pages or so, omg. Those pages had no words just sound effects and it spoke so so much. I loved the effect that those last few pages had. I had a really fun time with Nailbiter as a whole. The author and artist did such a wonderful job bringing this story to life and making me care about the characters, even Edward Nailbiter Warren. There was just enough fun mixed into the book to go with the mystery and the almost constant action. I was very pleased with this series and though I’d love more (the last page said the end?) I am actually totally happy with the ending we were provided here. Those who weren’t happy with the end need to learn to live with and appreciate a cliffhanger. I love cliffhanger endings. Especially here all the big questions were answered, it was just a fun bit to ponder at the end. Loved it guys.
August 5, 2019
The final volume of Joshua Wiliamson's horror story. Overall this volume retains the artistic and narrative consistency that has defined Nailbiter. The underlying mystery is revealed and the primary characters experience effective character development For me however, the narrative conclusion left a bit to be desired. I understand some of the choices Williamson took but I think the potential was there for a more satisfying ending.
This volume brought to mind another strong comic series, Revival and how that series also failed to provide an effective punch to conclude things. Despite this I still recommend this volume, it is increasingly rare to have a creator owned comic series that has a beginning and an end. As a result Williamson and the rest of the team deserve high praise for seeing this through from start to finish.
This volume brought to mind another strong comic series, Revival and how that series also failed to provide an effective punch to conclude things. Despite this I still recommend this volume, it is increasingly rare to have a creator owned comic series that has a beginning and an end. As a result Williamson and the rest of the team deserve high praise for seeing this through from start to finish.
March 8, 2023
An underwhelming ending to an underwhelming series.
Nailbiter ends with a whimper as Williamson goes on to poorly explain why his ending is justified. The mystery to Buckeroo is resolved in the penultimate issue, and boy is the answer a boring one.
I really read through this series as a sense of completionism, and while I do find it to be a below average horror series, I will praise it for being a quick and easy read. The artwork by Henderson also seemed to improve as the series progressed, and this volume did have some great bits of horror imagery. Other than that, Nailbiter is a limp affair - it's more comedy than it is horror, and the jokes aren't even that funny. The story hits a lot of cliche beats and feels padded out to hit the thirty issue mark.
Nailbiter ends with a whimper as Williamson goes on to poorly explain why his ending is justified. The mystery to Buckeroo is resolved in the penultimate issue, and boy is the answer a boring one.
I really read through this series as a sense of completionism, and while I do find it to be a below average horror series, I will praise it for being a quick and easy read. The artwork by Henderson also seemed to improve as the series progressed, and this volume did have some great bits of horror imagery. Other than that, Nailbiter is a limp affair - it's more comedy than it is horror, and the jokes aren't even that funny. The story hits a lot of cliche beats and feels padded out to hit the thirty issue mark.
July 3, 2024
Nailbiter has been an amazing ride and a helluva horror comic. It ends just as strong as it begins, with a tense, terrifying story and gorgeous, well-detailed artwork. But those lingering questions felt much more tantalizing than frustrating. As good as the overall narrative was, Nailbiter's strength was in its fantastic characters. How you feel about the conclusion will ultimately come down to how revelatory you expected the answers to the series' biggest mysteries be. In the end I was happy with what we got but a little let down by the ultimate mystery, but as the story points out itself the mystery wasn't very big to begin with. An ending that suits the kind of story that was told from the start.
May 11, 2021
I would stop reading this right at page 243, because that's a satisfying, realistic, and worthy ending to an otherwise really great graphic novel. I think the last couple of pages of the story after that are super unnecessary and really kind of ruined the good happy moment I was having right at the end. Not to mention how stupidly unrealistic it was and how it undermined the drama of what Warren does in the catacombs.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2023
Actual rating: 3.5 stars. Almost 4 stars, but while I agree that that secret is bad enough to have to be kept from the world, there are still things that don't make sense.
September 23, 2024
Volume 3 of Nailbitter gives the answers to questions:” why there are so many serial killers from the town of Buckaroo, Oregon?” And “who will be the next butcher?” Dark, twisted, full of blood, macabre scenes.
Volume 3 contains comics number 21-30.
I hope this graphic novel will not give me nightmares
Volume 3 contains comics number 21-30.
I hope this graphic novel will not give me nightmares
September 24, 2024
Well that was a mixed bag haha! Left with more questions than answers and really didn't like what they did with the titular nailbiter himself towards the end!
I had a lot of fun reading this but it definitely doesn't hold up cohesively
I had a lot of fun reading this but it definitely doesn't hold up cohesively
October 8, 2019
Not a big fan of the ending. But still a comic worth checking out.
January 30, 2020
The answers might not have been amazing, but they are there and the journey to get to them was a blast. I really liked the characters and their relationships to each other.
August 2, 2020
I wish the big reveal had been a little less supernatural, though I did appreciate the science experiment gone wrong angle.
October 21, 2020
I’ve loved this series,,, I liked this a little less and the ending thing with the “maybe?” don’t like that. either end the series or don’t. Vague can be good, but that’s just annoying
November 28, 2020
Excellent. Sad it is over for now.
September 9, 2021
The final volume did leave me with some questions, but it was still a solid ending. Fun series that I’d definitely recommend to fans of Dexter.
October 19, 2021
Not as over the moon with the last 2 issues. Ending feels unsatisfying and rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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