by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Tara Normal #1
Writer: Howie Noel
Artist: Howie Noel
Release Date: October 2012
Price: $4.99
“Tara Normal is a beautiful female ghost hunter who was born with the ability to see and speak to ghosts. She’s also trained to fight them, if necessary. All of her skills and training will be tested when the stars of TV’s hot, new paranormal reality show, Ghost Soldiers, investigate the most haunted asylum in history, St. Catherine’s of Siena. The ghosts in this asylum aren’t looking to just scare Tara and the Ghost Soldiers, they’re looking to destroy them and steal their souls. She’ll prove the existence of spirits and change the world forever.”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
“Oh S#*@! That dudes face just melted off!” The was one of the few times I found myself just yelling in excitement at what I was reading in this awesome first issue of Tara Normal. The opening scene introduces us to Tara, as she shows off her abilities to see and talk to the dead. This is a great introduction to readers on what the series is going to be based on, because of what will come next in the story. Following a reality TV crew as they enter into a haunted Asylum, things quickly go wrong. I really enjoyed the dialogue and buildup of the events, but I did think at times it came off a little to B-Movie. However, the read was still really enjoyable. I think that artwork really lends itself nicely to the playfulness of the story. Noel does a GORE-Geous job of showing a few deaths, one of which is totally a horrific moment. A great use of colors just makes these pages pop, but again I go back to how great it made the death scenes look. This issue does a great job of setting things up for what is to come. It has some great humor, just wait for the van scene, but also does a fantastic job of capturing the some great horror comic moments. If you are lucky enough to be at New York Comic Con this year go grab this one. If you can’t make the show go to the website and order one, because this book is only going to get better and better. This was an awesome start to this series.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Tara Normal you can find it at http://www.taranormal.com/
January 19th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ News |
by
Decapitated Dan
The 2012 Ghastly Award Nominees
The Ghastly Award Judges are proud to announce the 2012 Ghastly Award Nominees. The nominees, which were chosen by the entire comic creating community, reflect the wide range of horror material being published in print and web comic form today.
Named after acclaimed comics creator “Ghastly” Graham Ingels, the awards are now in their second year. Created to honor excellence in Horror Comics, every comic creator had a say in who the nominees were by nominating their favorites throughout the year.
Fan and Creator Voting will be open from January 1, 2013 until January 31, 2013. You may only vote once for the 2012 Nominees, and Fans will decide the winner of the Best New Series Award. Winners will be announced in February 2013.
We thank everyone who took the time to nominate in this year’s awards.
The 2012 Nominees are:
Best Ongoing Title:
American Vampire (Vertigo)
Hack/Slash (Image)
Hellblazer (Vertigo)
Rachel Rising (Abstract Studios)
The Walking Dead (Image)
Best Mini-Series:
Deadworld: War of the Dead (IDW)
Ragemoor (Dark Horse)
Rebel Blood (Image)
Severed (Image)
The Living Corpse: Exhumed (Dynamite)
Best One-Shot:
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Conqueror Worm (Dark Horse)
Enormous (Image)
Ghosts (Vertigo)
Locke & Key: Grindhouse (IDW)
Steamcraft (Antarctic Press)
Best New Series (Fans Will Decide the Winner):
Bedlam (Image)
Ferals (Avatar)
Hoax Hunters (Image)
Mars Attacks (IDW)
The Strain (Dark Horse)
Best Anthology:
Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave (Monsterverse)
Chillers (Transfuzion)
Creepy (Dark Horse)
Fubar: Summer Special (Alterna)
Indie Comics Horror (Aazum)
Best OGN:
Flesh and Blood Book 2 (Monsterverse)
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Book 1 (Heavy Metal)
Riven (Dark Horse)
The Hive (Pantheon)
Whispers in the Walls (Humanoids)
Best Archival Collection:
Best of From the Tomb Magazine (Twomorrows)
The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics: Zombies (IDW/Yoe Books)
Creepy Presents Richard Corben (Dark Horse)
Lenore Swirlies (Titan Books)
Vampirella Archives Vol. 5 (Dynamite)
Best Writer
David Hine (The Darkness, Night of the Living Dead: Aftermath)
David Lapham (Ferals, Crossed Badlands, The Strain, Caligula)
Jeff Lemire (Animal Man, Justice League Dark)
Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night, Transfusion, Frankenstein Alive, Alive, Lot 13)
Robert Tinnell (Flesh and Blood Book 2, Riven)
Best Artist:
Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire)
Simon Bisley (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Hellblazer)
Sami Makkonen (Deadworld: War of the Dead)
Riley Rossmo (Bedlam, Green Wake, Rebel Blood)
James Stokoe (Godzilla: Half Century War)
Best Inker:
Richard Corben (Edgar Allan Poe’s The Conqueror Worm, Ragemoor)
David Hutchison (Steamcraft)
Terry Moore (Rachel Rising)
Andrea Sorrentino (I, Vampire)
Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein Alive, Alive)
Best Letterer:
Terry Moore (Rachel Rising)
Nate Piekos (Creepy, The Goon, Ragemoor)
Robbie Robbins (Locke & Key)
James Stokoe (Godzilla: Half Century War)
Kelly Tindall (Bedlam, Green Wake, Rebel Blood)
Best Colorist:
Ulises Arreola (Justice League Dark)
Chad Fidler (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)
Jay Fotos (‘68, Locke & Key)
Owen Gieni (Avengelyne)
Dave Stewart (B.P.R.D.)
Hall of Fame Inductees:
Al Feldstein & Bill Gaines
Bernie Wrightson
We congratulate all of the Nominees for what they bring to the comic reading community. To be nominated by your peers is a big honor, and the Ghastly Awards are here to celebrate your achievements.
For more information on the Ghastly Awards, or to submit your Horror Comics for consideration in the 2013 Awards, please go to www.ghastlyawards.com.
