The first time I saw the award-winning Swedish film on which Let Me In is based, I was curled up at Cinema 21 in Portland, braving a cold, rainy November night because all my horror-buff friends insisted I simply had to see it. And boy, were they right—I can’t recall how many times I’ve rewatched it since, but I’ve run out of fingers and toes to keep track on. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard that Hammer Films, the legendary horror production company behind Let Me In, had invited Dark Horse to expand upon the film’s story and—even better—that I’d be editing that new miniseries!
One of the most important things about Let Me In: Crossroads is that it’s not an adaptation. What we’ve created is an all-new story; an official prelude that reveals why such a powerful vampire was forced to relocate to a dingy apartment complex in New Mexico, and why her long-suffering caretaker, Thomas, is a tormented shadow of a man. Let Me In: Crossroads is an essential companion piece for fans who are wondering why these two are in such rough shape at the start of the film, and why a young boy’s budding friendship with Abby has Thomas so concerned.
As a freestanding story, Let Me In: Crossroads can be understood and enjoyed even if you haven’t seen the film, but you really should check that out too. It’s excellent! When I read the Let Me In screenplay, and then later watched the finished film, I was immediately impressed by how well it translated the original story to a stateside setting and took it in new directions while staying true to everything that made the original so powerful: its elegant subtlety, its atmosphere, and its appreciation that, while supernatural monsters can be scary, the thoughtlessness of regular people can be far more monstrous. It was clear from our very first story discussions that Matt Reeves and Hammer Films really got what made the original Swedish film work, and wanted to make sure that understanding came across not only in their film, but in our comics as well—and our creative team and I couldn’t agree more.
That brings us to the other big reason I’m so thrilled to be working on Let Me In: Crossroads: the top-notch creative team that’s making this series live and breathe. Writer Marc Andreyko (Manhunter, Predators), artist Patric Reynolds (Abe Sapien: The Haunted Boy, Serenity: Float Out), and multiple Eisner Award–winning colorist Dave Stewart make a helluva team. And fellow Eisner Award–winner Sean Phillips (Criminal, Incognito, Hellblazer) is creating beautiful, haunting cover paintings to complement their work. Together, they’re making these books not only a key piece of the Let Me In story, but also as beautiful and atmospheric as the films.
Issue #1 of Let Me In: Crossroads goes on sale this month, and I urge you to give it a try. If you’re a discerning horror fan, you won’t be disappointed.
Samantha Robertson
Editor, Let Me In: Crossroads