For a lot of us, high school felt like a real emotional battlefield, but in Sean Peacock’s Blood Honey, that metaphor takes on deadly realism. Published by IDW as a one-shot under their mature IDW Dark imprint, and just in time for Valentine’s Day, this comic is a twisted, stylish, and deeply uncomfortable look at a power couple whose relationship is not only very toxic but mutually assured to self-destruction. It’s a story where “I love you” might actually be followed by a blade to the ribs.
At its core, Blood Honey is a horror love tragedy set within the prestigious (and incredibly dangerous) halls of Manderlay Prep. The story follows the school’s golden couple: Edgar St. Claire, the senior captain of the Crusaders dueling team, and Vanessa De La Mora, the head cheerleader. On the surface, they are homecoming royalty, but behind closed doors (and sometimes in the middle of a crowded hallway), they are trapped in a cycle of hatred and physical violence.
Blood Honey’s Plot
The most striking element of the story is the toxic dynamic between Edgar and Vanessa. Their “love” for each other is grounded in shared internal darkness, insecurity, and confusion, with both reaching a point where they believe the only way to end the relationship is for one of them to die.
What makes the plot so engaging is the frantic, overlapping assassination attempts from these “love” birds. While the school prepares for the Homecoming Melee, which BTW is a literal sword-fighting duel between Manderlay Prep and their rivals, the Swashbucklers, Vanessa and Edgar are busy recruiting fellow schoolmates to do their dirty work for them. From here on out, things only get worse for everyone involved.
The Art by Sean Peacock
Sean Peacock pulls triple duty here, handling the story, art, and colors. His style is a perfect fit for this kind of tale. The world of Manderlay Prep feels heavy and gothic, filled with stained-glass windows and looming shadows. The character designs effectively communicate that old-money prep school vibe while letting the cracks show.
The coloring is particularly evocative and the real showstopper, with deep reds and sepia tones used during the most violent or emotional moments, making the comic feel like a bloodstained high school yearbook. One of my favorite panels has to be the layout of the final “dance.” The transition from the pageantry of the homecoming court to a literal inferno on the school’s spiral staircase is visually stunning and a thrill to watch.
The lettering by Sandy Tanaka is clean, but it excels during the moments of chaos. The sound effects, like the swords clanking or the many other onomatopoeic effects layered throughout, feel integrated into the panels, which does a great job of heightening that feeling of danger.
Is Blood Honey Too Dark?
While Blood Honey excels in atmosphere, it isn’t flawless. Characters like Myrna, Penny, and others feel like cannon fodder for Vanessa and Edgar’s cruelty. Some readers might also find the lack of likable characters a hurdle to overcome. There is no moral center to this story, no “good” to balance out the evil; everyone mostly comes off as toxic and irredeemable; even the “victims” are complicit in the violence. However, as a one-shot love horror tragedy, nihilism seems to be the central theme here.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Blood Honey is a trainwreck meant to be watched from a safe distance. It takes those typical tropes from teen dramas like homecoming, jealousy, and social status, and spills gasoline all over them. For fans of gothic horror and toxic character studies, this is a must-read, provided you have a stomach for the macabre.
Read More from KPB Comics:
‘Blood Honey’ One-Shot Review: IDW’s Darkest High School Horror Story
Blood Honey is a visceral and unapologetic look at how love can rot into something unrecognizable. It takes those typical tropes from teen dramas like homecoming, jealousy, and social status, and spills gasoline all over them. For fans of gothic horror and toxic character studies, this is a must-read, provided you have a stomach for the macabre.
