Genre: Science Fiction Horror | Writer: Dave deVries | Artist: Paul Gulacy
Release Date: 1993-94 | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Franchise/Series: The Thing from Another World
After a couple's dream honeymoon turns into a nightmare, an encounter with the alien Thing unleashes terror and paranoia. As the creature spreads and twists its victims, love, humanity, and survival are pushed to their breaking point.
The Thing from Another World: Eternal Vows attempts to continue the chilling legacy of John Carpenter’s cult classic, and it largely succeeds in capturing the essence of paranoia, body horror, and survival that made The Thing unforgettable. Set in a small-town environment rather than the isolated Antarctic base, the story smartly shifts the setting to provide a fresh take while maintaining the claustrophobic, distrustful atmosphere fans expect. The stakes feel higher, with more people, more destruction, and the terrifying sense that the alien entity could spread unchecked.
The main lead is written with competence and just enough depth to carry the story—cool-headed under pressure, morally grounded, and believable in how he processes the escalating horror around him. The town itself plays an integral role, with its familiar routines being disrupted by something utterly otherworldly, creating a potent backdrop for tension.
However, Dave deVries' writing does falter in a few areas. Some character interactions—especially the sex scenes—feel out of place tonally, adding a layer of awkwardness that doesn’t match the dread or desperation of the narrative. The alien's behavior at times veers too far into human-like intelligence or emotion, weakening the unknowable and terrifying qualities that made the creature so effective in prior iterations.
Despite these flaws, the comic does a solid job building suspense over its four issues. The sense of escalation, mystery, and violent reveals are timed well. As a continuation of the mythos, it respects the original’s spirit while experimenting with broader themes and a larger canvas.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Artwork
The art in Eternal Vows is gory, raw, and well-suited to the story’s intense horror. The highlight here is undoubtedly the alien transformations—gruesome, imaginative, and deeply unsettling. Each instance of the Thing revealing itself is depicted with grotesque detail: limbs split, faces distort, and organic matter becomes a nightmare of twisted forms. These visuals remain faithful to the creature design of the 1982 film while also adding fresh visual horrors that capitalize on the comic medium’s unlimited scope.
Paul Gulacy's artwork leans toward gritty realism. There’s a dirty, weathered feel to the town’s environments that grounds the story in a tangible reality before it’s violently torn apart. The town itself is well-rendered, with interiors, streets, and surrounding woods all illustrated in a way that enhances the feeling of creeping dread.
The color palette uses a mix of dark blues, shadowy earth tones, and blood red accents to capture the violent, eerie atmosphere. Lighting is used effectively to enhance tension, especially during nighttime scenes or confined interior moments when characters face the unknown.
The cover art is a standout—striking, evocative, and capturing the brutal horror of the story within. The paneling is generally well-paced and dynamic, though some transitions could be clearer during action-heavy sequences. Expression work is solid, particularly in moments of panic or suspicion, which are key to this kind of psychological horror.
Overall, the visuals elevate the material and push the body horror angle to its limit while maintaining clarity and consistent tone throughout the four issues.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, The Thing from Another World: Eternal Vows is a bloody, chilling, and mostly satisfying continuation of the iconic horror tale. Though flawed in tone at times, it delivers nightmarish imagery and genuine tension for fans. The Thing from Another World: Eternal Vows gets 3 out of 5.
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