by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Lenore Vol. 2 #6
Writer: Roman Dirge
Artist: Roman Dirge
Letters: Roman Dirge
Colors: Roman Dirge
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: August 2012
Price: $3.99
“‘Lenore wants a sammich. She wants it bad. The rumble in her tummy has its own rumble within a rumble, Inception style. The problem is the angry, cold-loving, slimy thing in her fridge won’t let anyone in. After giving up all hope, Lenore calls in an Exterminator to deal with the fridge squatter. Following an unfortunate terminal incident, Ragamuffin covers the Exterminator’s corpse with Lenore’s favourite blanket, ‘Woobie’. But when the corpse and blanket goes missing, the gang must set out to recover Woobie, cover up a suspicious death, and get a *&#@% sandwich made!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I want a sammich too, but I bet you I don’t have to go through all of the trouble that poor little Lenore did. This hilarious series is back in my face with a new issue that will left my sides in pain from laughing so hard, I mean cheeks in pain since I have no body. While the solicit tells about the ‘Sammich Adventure’ the real fun in this issue takes place between Pooty and Ragamuffin. The way that he writes his characters to play on his creating process is pure horror/humor gold. Dirge has such an amazing talent at capturing facial expressions and emotions on the page. You know he is a mad genius at it when Pooty, a character whose head is a bucket with holes in it that do not change, can express emotion so damn well. The story that takes place here had me cracking up panel after panel. Favorite moment of the issue came at the end when the statues got their time to shine. No matter what issue of Lenore I pick up, I know I will laugh. Everything about this book is above and beyond what I could even ask for. Horror and humor are the perfect combination for me, and this series is seriously at the top of my all time favorites list. READ LENORE!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Lenore Vol 2 #6 you can find it at http://titanbooks.com/ and http://www.spookyland.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Horror in the West
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Price: $9.99
““Horror in the West” is a horror anthology featuring eleven stories that combine the mysticism of the Old West with demons, zombies, aliens, and blood-curdling storytelling. A man who cannot be killed by the hangman’s noose, alien cattle-drives for human flesh, demon-slaying bounty hunters – all of these stories can be found here. “Horror in the West” will take you by the reigns and drive you straight over the edge!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Well now we got ourselves a bit of a situation here pardner. You see ol’ Decap he is not to big on Western Comics, but he does love his Horror Comics, so what on Earth could he even like about Horror in the West? How about everything! This is one great looking, great reading, hootenanny of a good time! The artwork in this entire collection is GORE-Geous. I will admit that they set the bar high starting with sam Agro’s style, but no story in this ever let me down. Personally I prefered the art styles of Agro, Brian Evinou, Chris McFann and Dan Simon the most, but again they were all great. There is some really great horror scenes depicted in this book and Jeff McComsey actually takes home the prize for drawing the scariest panel. The stories, like the artwork were all very well done. As a person who doesn’t love Western stories, it’s a tough thing to make me care. Each short was original, nothing like the others in the book, and just overall fun. So many different concepts only adds to the overall value of this collection. My personal favorites were “Star Calf”, “The Hunters”, “Pinkerton Express” and “The Amulet”. I will say it once again, this collection was great. It was able to make me enjoy something I don’t typically care for, so that is a win right there. This is an Anthology that you should be adding to your bookcase. YEE HORROR!!!!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Horror in the West you can find it at http://alternacomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: End Times #1
Writers: Jeff Edmond, Vin Davis, Charles Anthony
Artist: Vin Davis
Price: $5.95
“Premier collectors issue!”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Yes, my favorite printing style for horror comics is magazine sized, and End Times #1 knows that, so lets put a +1 in the positives column right off the bat! What this issue brings to the table is a great sense of horror comic nostalgia, mixed with some great modern tales. Now I throw in the nostalgia line because of the way this book is presented in terms of printing, and because of the overall feeling I got while reading it. The stories are a good mix of Creepy and Eerie styled themes, mixing both horror and sci-fi genres throughout. The artwork is consistent throughout, but at times I didn’t care too much for the shading styles. I kind of felt that the grey’s took away from the great line work. But that is me being nit-picky. The stories are fantastic. My favorite had to be “De-Cap-Puc-Cino”, because of the overall presentation. Davis did a great job on drawing that entire cast, and the story by Edmond was funny and creepy. Overall, this is a great first issue from this bunch. It has room to move forward with future issues, and I will only expect it to get better and better. It is easy for me to tell you to pick this one up and check it out, because I had a great time reading it.
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about End Times you can find it at http://www.horrorgeddoncomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Koma OGN
Writer: Pierre Wazem
Artist: Frederik Peeters
Colors: Albertine Ralenti
Publisher: Humanoids
Price: $29.95
;
“Addidas is a bright and quirky young girl who spends most of her time helping her widowed father in his job as a chimney sweep in the industrial metropolis they live in. When Addidas ventures too far into a chimney, she encounters a bizarre new friend…”
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
I don’t even know how to start this review without just saying, Book of the Year front-runner. I was so blown away with what happened on these 280+ pages that I feel like trying to sum it up will only come across as a gushing love letter to the creators. So let’s do just that. I went into this book not knowing what to expect, well I expected to read about a little girl and her new Monster friend, but instead I was introduced to a world that was so imaginative and original. If I even try to compare this to anything, and keep in mind that I am just basing this off of the overall feel I had when I was done reading this, I would have to say Spirited Away. Yes I know that one is a movie and the other is a comic, but that is as close to any kind of comparison I can even make. The art work is so GORE-Geous from page to page. The facial expressions are so key to the telling of this story and Peeters delivers ever single time. While the colors are mostly dark in the book, dealing with a drab cityscapes, chimneys and underground monsters, it still shines page after page. The art just jumps right into your face and demands your attention. Towards the end of the book, when you are shown the scenes of the countryside, you see the full potential of this team. This story alone should be winning awards left and right. Every time I thought that I knew what was going to happen I was slapped in the face and told no. Wazem’s dialogue, which is translated into English, is done so well. His voices for the entire cast are so believable for who they all are. The story has so much mystery and depth to it. The relationship between Addidas and all of the characters will pull at your heart-strings, and when all is said and done, you will just feel alive. Is that enough gushing for you? I can not suggest a book more than I will this one. This is the whole package and so much more. I will be reading this over and over for years to come.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Koma you can find it at www.humanoids.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Debris #1
Writer: Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.50
“In the far future, humanity has doomed planet earth to rot and decay, covering her surface with garbage. Now, ancient spirits called the Colossals rise from the debris and attack the remaining survivors, forcing the human race to the brink of extinction. One warrior woman, Maya, sets out to find the last source of pure water to save the world before the monsters bring it all to an end.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
What in the world is going on here? This book is awesome and WAAAY too short! Oh man I want it all right now, this was so good people! The Wieley tandem is back and in full force. If you ask me Rossmo is always out doing his own work. The way he went from Rebel Blood, which was a dark horror tale, to a bright and vibrant futuristic world full of machines, is simply amazing. He really shows off his talent with the cover alone, look at the machine aspects involved. This book is just beautiful to look at, which again leads me to wanting more RIGHT NOW! If you are not reading Wiebe’s work, then you are missing out at a man who is ascending the comic writer mountain right now. His concept for this story is mind-blowingly good, and he is writing it to perfection. The story is gripping, and if issue #1 is only a sign of things to come, then this one will be something you are all going to be talking about. Sure this is not my typical horror fare, but when I get a chance to cover anything by Wieley, I will. They are a team to be reckoned with, pushing the envelope on great original content, and proving why comics will always be a fun medium. Read Debris, you will not be disappointed.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Debris you can find it at www.imagecomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Grim Leaper #2
Writer: Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Aluisio Santos
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 2012
Price: $3.50
“Lou Collins: Serial Leaper. Lou desperately tries to find Ella, the woman with an identical curse, before his next horrific death. But, there’s malevolence waiting in the darkness, something that wants to kill Lou before he even gets the chance. Something alive.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I think I am in love people. I am in love with tree shavings and octopus juices, because they bring things like Grim Leaper to my eyes. If I didn’t say it enough when I reviewed issue #1, Santos is an amazing artist. Just the death scenes alone, are enough to show how GORE-Geous his style is. When you add in the other panels it just makes my black heart skip a beat. This is a visual treat, so make sure to savor it. The story by Wiebe moves right along and only gets more and more interesting. I love the concept and how it is being played out. I find myself enjoying the chemistry that Lou and Ella have, but then I flip-flop and I root for them to die. I guess I am just a romantic. This series is so much more than I could have ever expected, and I don’t want to see it end at #4. I say death to the mini, lets ride this one out for years and years, it has so many different ways it can go. Just think of their first fight when they kill each other. Read it people, it really is that damn good.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Grim Leaper you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: El Bigote #0
Writer: Matthew Mclaughlin
Artist: El Chivo
Publisher: Tekilla Comix
Release Date: May 2012
“Living-dead banditos and skeletal gunfighters, ghostly Federales and ghoulish Conquistadores, cannibalistic muertoads and spectral sessquatches prowl Mexico’s haunted prairies – and its up to undead mustachio-quillslinger El Bigote to put them back in their tequila worm-graves!”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Yee Haw Cowboys! El Bigote is here to save us from the undead side of Western Hell! The artwork in this issue is fantastic. Chivo has a great style that fits perfectly in both the Horror and Western genres. I really enjoyed his GORE-Geous characters and how great they looked from panel to panel. And those Tekilla Worms were amazing. The story is very original and mixes elements of both English and Spanish culture. The issue takes place on the undead side of life, picture limbo or hell if you will. So I can’t wait to see if these characters can actually stay dead, I know it was hinted at within the story. Mclaughlin dis a great job on the dialogue, but at times I did have to go get the Spanish to English dictionary out. No matter how I look at it, this issue was a blast. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I can not wait to get more in front of my horror loving eyes. Great stuff, now pass the Tekilla!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about El Bigote you can find it at http://elbigotequillpower.blogspot.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Gore #6
Writer: Alex Crippa
Artist: Emilio Laiso
Colors: Alessia Nocera
Publisher: GG Studio
Release Date: June 2012
Price: $2.99
“Demons invade the Carnival at Venice. These horrible nightmare-reflections of beloved fairytale characters are determined to tear a hole from their twisted world to ours. Demon Hunter Gabriel must force the demoness Cinderella, monster Little Mermaid, and countless others back through the portal before the last night of Carnival – else no one will live happily ever after!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Once upon a time there was a comic book that took your typical Fairy Tale characters and turned them into horrible killing machines, welcome to Gore. This series kind of reminds me of a video game, in that every issue has a “boss” battle, or in comic terms, a bad ass mother $&^#% fight scene! The artwork by Laiso and Nocera in this issue is fantastic, but you can probably tell that from the cover. They really won me over with the decapitation scene, but that is to be expected. The panels are always consistent and the pages shine. This is just a GORE-Geous book (that is the first time that ever worked on 3 levels)! The story in this issue is paced just right. Yes you get a great action scene, but you also get a lot of build taking place. This is the middle of the series and I can tell things are about to take a really good turn. The dialogue though does have one or two moments of confusion, but you have to keep in mind that this is being translated, so that can happen. Overall this issue just adds more great depth to this amazing series. I wish I could go back and review each and every single issue, so you have to take my word for it. There have been some great death scenes in these issues that need to be seen by horror fan eyes. I can easily recommend this book for all fans of horror.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Gore you can find it at http://www.ggstudiodesign.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Steamcraft #1
Writer: David Hutchison
Artist: David Hutchison
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Release Date: June 2012
Price: $3.99
“With strange eons, even death may die, unleashing ancient horrors upon our world. They rise from the abyss or descend from the stars, caring no more for our existence than we care for the random atoms about us. Yet there are those who dare to strap on their brass and leather, shoulder their plasmotic rifles and stoke up the boilers to their super-cannons, land crawlers, submersibles and airships. Steam WILL save the world!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
What an amazing combination of 2 things I want to know more about. Steamcraft #1 blends together Lovecraft and Steampunk in a way that I would have never guessed, and it turns out oh so perfect. The artwork in this book was the biggest shock to my system. I honestly expected to see something that played on the fun aspects of both topics, something vivid and highly animated. Instead I was treated to a visual gem, that fit so well into playing on the Victorian aspects of Steampunk. The page layouts were just something I can’t get over. A journal style of story telling, meaning the lettering is presented in a script typeface, on top of artwork that comes across to me as highly detailed sketches. The combination of these two elements sets the visual tone so well. At the start I did have a little trouble reading the font chosen, but as the issue went on I had no issues. The story itself is something that should easily please fans of both genres. I really enjoyed the pacing and the surprise ending. If anything I thought that the one more page should have been added, because I really wanted to see what was going to happen to Barrier. But I have to leave that up to my imagination. I loved this issue and can not wait for more to come, there is more coming, right? This company does horror right book after book, and I really hope that this title can expand to more issues in the future. A fantastic read that will easily appeal to anyone reading this review.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Steamcraft you can find it at http://www.antarctic-press.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issues: Avengelyne #1-3
Writers: Rob Liefeld, Mark Poulton
Artist: Owen Gieni
Publisher: Image
Release: July – September 2011
Price: $2.99 (each)
“‘DEVIL IN THE FLESH,’ The legendary fallen angel returns to comics. As New York City’s sins are covered with a fresh blanket of snow, the psychotic serial killer, Torment, is hard at work creating new ones. Meanwhile, Avengelyne has her hands full with the Red Dragon who has taken a human vessel in search of a new apprentice. Who has the Dragon chosen as his vessel and does it have anything to do with Avengelyne’s new look? All this plus the introduction of the stunning, Heaven Starr! AVENGELYNE is a new ongoing supernatural series written by MARK POULTON (Koni Waves) with art by OWEN GIENI and letters and color assists by DEXTER WEEKS.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Now I never read this title back in the 90’s, so going into this I did not know what to really expect. Writer Mark Poulton had emailed me and said “Dan, you need to read this. Horror elements can be found throughout this book.” I was skeptical but I took him up on it, thinking I was so going to prove him wrong. Consider me schooled folks. This first arc has so much HELL in it, that I was quickly taking back my skepticism and now I have to urge you to check this out. The artwork by Gieni is GORE-Geous. My jaw dropped to floor so many times that I said screw it, and left it there. The colors in these issues are amazing as well. The whole combination from the art team deserves a round of applause, because they made gore look so damn good. This first story arc just jumps right into the action. People who know nothing about the characters past can be put at ease because it is such a safe jumping on point. They even went and added some history pages in the back of every issue, so you can understand who the cast was in the issues from the 90’s. Pacing is on point, and you have to love when they take a quick second to poke fun of the pouches. Overall this book was beyond what I could have ever expected, and wanted. I can not wait to dive into the second arc, and I will urge you all to take a look at this series. From the stunning artwork to a great storyline, this one has everything I could want in a comic and so much more.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Avengelyne you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: The Awakened #1
Writer: Ivan James
Artist: Tim Jensen
Release Date: 2012
“Gabe had a late night craving for some Taco Stix®. His usual order was a sack of Taco Stix® and a large Cola Pop® with lite ice. So he was quite surprised when the universe added a hip hop spell caster and a demon who wants to kill him as well. He should have realized beforehand that satisfying his hunger meant enlisting in an adventure of biblical proportions. He probably would have eaten somewhere else…”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
So what can really go wrong with ordering some Taco Stix®? Apparently a lot, and The Awakened is here to explore just that. Let’s start off simply with the colors, man do they POP off of every single page. I guess in the near future this creative team thinks we are going to be all neon, and well it makes this book so visually attractive. Jensen’s cast looks amazing from panel to panel. I really enjoy the look of the demons, as they come across as almost a half vampire half crazy albino. There are some scenes where things did get a little muddied up, but overall this book looks great. The story was an action packed horror/hero blast that was like a straight punch to the face. James’ writing never slowed down, and it left me on the edge of my seat throughout. I honestly was okay with how the issue ended, because it left me wanting more. So the actual writeup of what is taking place, or the back story, was just icing on the cake (it came at the end of the issue). On every level this book was a winner. It captured my attention and ran with it for a good 20 minutes. I can not wait to see what comes next, lets just hope that issue gets here soon.
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about The Awakened you can find it at http://ivan-james.com/theawakened/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Kung Fu Satanist #1
Writer: Simon Sanchez
Artist: Dean Juliette, Don Marquez, Sammy Gomez
Publisher: Trauma Comics
Release Date: 2012
Pages: 24
Price: $3.75
“Debut issue! Kung Fu Satanist is on the trail of a deadly serial killer named the “Headhunter.” Can you guess why he is called the “Headhunter?” Arthur Brown dabbled in black magic and lost his soul. To stop his descent into hell, he hunts down criminals and sacrifices their souls to his Dark Lord. “
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Crime doesn’t pay when you have the hands of demons and the feet of the devil! Trauma Comics is back to bring you Kung Fu Satanist #1, and it is a delightfully sinful treat. The artwork in this book is great. I really like Juliette’s style, because I think it fits the main concept so well. The colors at times were a little too dark, but it doesn’t take anything away from the book. I loved the scene with the head spinning around. The story itself was nicely done. Sanchez does a great job throwing the reader right into the action and then slowing things down to build what is to come. The book has a real grindhouse influence to it, and it shows on all levels. From the dialogue to the great fight/horror scenes, the team does a great job of capturing it all. This book is a fun read, something you can easily sit back and just enjoy without worrying about layers and layers of drama being poured down your throat. Check it out, I know I’m glad I did.
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Kung Fu Satanist#1 you can find it at IndyPlanet.com
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