As a comic reader for over thirty years, it takes quite a bit to impress me now. However, Hack/Slash has become my favorite comic title over the last two years. It has excellent writing, beautiful art, real characters who become deeper and deeper as the series progresses, an absolutely wicked sense of humor, and storylines that treat readers to much more than 99% of the comics and so-called "serious" literature out there today.
This particular collection is my favorite of the Hack/Slash TPBs available now, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested. While reading the earlier two volumes helps with knowing some of the other characters, you can start with this volume and still enjoy it even if you've never seen the two earlier volumes. I know this, because I started with this particular volume myself.
As I mentioned before, the writing is superb, with plots that certainly do NOT follow any recycled horror movie scripts. Most of the storylines will leave you thinking even after you've reached the end; the humor and art are some of the best in comics today, and they make having an intelligent, entertaining plot that much sweeter. I could not recommend this book or series with any higher praise.
Please do note that this is not a series for younger readers. There are some fairly gruesome scenes in it, and some of the humor is definitely more mature. It IS inspired by horror movies, so if you're old enough to watch them (or sneak into them), you're in a good age group to read Hack/Slash. If you're under thirteen, I'd suggest looking elsewhere. If you're under thirteen AND watching horror movies, go find your parents and yell at them for not supervising you adequately. But if you're over thirteen and have the money, BUY THIS BOOK! You will NOT be disappointed! Plus, if you've read this far you know you want it, so stop debating and click the button. It's worth the money.