Don’t Come In
WHY THIS STORY…
Don’t Come In is a narrative of many firsts for me. It’s a story about erotic obsession, survival inside an eerie, subliminal space, and the consequences of blind loyalty. Add a late-80’s college setting and some Hades and Persephone Greek mythology mythos? Chef’s kiss.
I fucking love it.
Title: Don’t Come In
Creator: DayDayDraws
Where to Read this Comic: Patreon (Paid, uncensored)
Currently exclusive, future censored version to be released to other comic platforms.
Logline: A group of friends trapped in a mythic backroom must escape before a hidden killer murders them one by one.
Genre: psychological horror ◊ survival horror ◊ thriller ◊ mythic ◊ NSFW
Status: ONGOING
THE AESTHETIC & ART STYLE
What I love nerding out to is a story aesthetic. Anime is great and all but I LOVE a unique visual story identity. In this case, what I appreciate most is the simplicity in the art style. The real work comes in through the colors and even then, it’s not a complex coloring style.
Don’t Come In has a limited color palette that shifts depending on the setting and mood of the scenes. From what we can see in Chapter 1, when the group is outside, you can see their assigned colors but its tinted in this contrast that makes the reality Before Shit Goes Down (TM), all the more jarring especially when their colors get leeched and becomes cooler and darker once inside the mysterious building.
The coloring follows this vein of storytelling that allows the actual drawing of the characters and setting to remain simple without it being boring. It’s not the greatest out there, but it definitely entertains and gets the message across while feeling almost cinematic. Add to that some of the cover images and teasers? Beautiful. But that’s what I found. What do you think?
WHAT IT’S DOING REALLY WELL
There’s something more going on than meets the surface with Don’t Come In. It promises horror, thriller and mythic undertones. It’s early yet as the comic only has two chapters completed, but even within those two chapters and the cover images along with the trailers, there’s clues and breadcrumbs dispersed (even in the social media promoting it!) that belay a deeper narrative than just a group of unfortunate college friends trapped in a mysterious backroom in the middle of a forest.
And the answer to it all starts from scrutinizing every last character in the group.
Who are these people? Why are they friends? And why does something about their dynamic feel… off?
NO, SERIOUSLY! IT’S SO GOOD!
I wasn’t kidding. Take a look at the atmospheric covers, feels like found artifacts to a missing case from the late 80’s! Plus the worldbuilding feels deep. As if there’s more to this universe than its current story.
WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED
Like any amazing work, flaws are bound to happen and even Don’t Come In has them. The start is a bit of a slow-burn and considering this story is supposed to be a short-story with the comic ending in 20 chapters max, the mystery, tension, and crux of it needs to start unraveling sooner rather than later. Still, it’s early yet so there’s not much else to say until we get more chapters.
WHO THIS COMIC IS FOR
Don’t Come In is for lovers of horror survival video games like Au Oni, HetaOni, Misao, and even Five Night’s at Freddy’s. Minus the animatronics and murdered children, although does murdered young adults count? If you obsess over reimagined stories featuring Hades and Persephone like Lore Olympus and enjoy tasteful NSFW elements such as adult themes and sensual tension, this comic is right up your alley!
Backrooms, late 80’s nostalgia, and psychological dread shrouded in a dark mystery in the vein of Silent Hill. This story doesn’t pull its punches.
Think Hades and Persephone meets survival horror.
WHY IT DESERVES ATTENTION
It’s no secret that the Persephone myth has been reimagined and adapted so many times it’s practically a staple for dark romances. However, I don’t think I’ve come across one that focuses on the horror aspect of it nor one that implies that the happy ending is 50/50. What is Don’t Come In trying to tell us that hasn’t been told before? Don’t know, super care!
WHO IS THE CREATOR?
DAYDAYDRAWS
A laid-back girlie of many hats, ambitions, and stories.
Daydaydraws is a jaded optimistic Latina comic artist that can be found on her Instagram (@daydaydraws_) and YouTube channel (@DayDayDoes) where she talks about webcomics, anime and nerd pop culture. Apparently her opinions can get controversial.
DayDay dreams of retiring her parents by having her comics well-known enough to make it into a video game and even a featured film one day! Follow her journey and socials to stay updated to her latest comings and goings!
And to read Don’t Come In and stay ahead, subscribe to her Patreon!
WILL I CONTINUE TO READ THIS STORY?
Honestly? HELL YES!
Aside I said, it’s early days yet, but Don’t Come In has potential, great aesthetics, and a story that promises to have people obsessing.
What do you think?
This exhibition will be updated as the story continues.
