FIXATION #1 / Script by AMY CHASE / Art by SAVANNA MAYER / Colors by JAMES FENNER / Letters and Design by SANDY TANAKA / Published by IDW CRIME

Vail, Washington was once a quiet woodland town. That was before it became the setting of a series of popular young adult supernatural romance novels and the films they inspired. Now the town is a tourism magnet for the hordes of fans who memorized the Blood Mountain books and movies. And it is about to get worse, as a gala event is planned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the film’s release.

There’s a lot of bad blood flowing around the upcoming event. Part of it is the usual behind-the-scenes drama involving the film’s actors. Part of it involves the mysterious death of a stunt performer. Part of it is the usual fandom bickering and resentment of the lucky superfan who won a highly coveted VIP prize package. And then there’s a serial killer who seems to be targeting fangirls visiting Vail and had their crimes covered up by the film studio…

Fixation makes little effort to hide just which popular series it is parodying. And had it merely been content with that and a few jabs at Hollywood culture clashing with fandom culture, it would be an amusing read. Thankfully, Amy Chase goes a step further, and adds an honest thriller with an engaging mystery into the mix. There are few clues as to who the killer is in this first chapter, but I honestly want to read more to see the resolution. That is, I think, the best thing that can be said of any horror mystery hybrid.

The artwork is a little less refined. Savanna Mayer has a good eye for panel flow and great character designs. However, the outlines and shading seem a little thin at times. That, coupled with the palettes utilized by colorist James Fenner, leaves things looking a little bright. Granting that the characters are colorful sorts, it seems like lighter, duller colors would have better fit what is meant to be a gloomy setting.

Fixation will appeal instantly to fans of comedy horror and good murder mysteries. However, it may also win over those Twilight fans who have a sense of humor and any fan who can appreciate the problems born of obsession. I could also make a glib remark about it being a vampire story that doesn’t suck or has some bite, but I won’t. I do have some standards left, albeit not many.