Greetings ghosts and ghoulies and welcome to The Theatre of Terror the home of horror comic news, reviews, classic comic scans and creepy art from around the world. Just remember, it's not for the nervous!
Issue: Deadworld: War of the Dead #1
Writer:Gary Reed Artist:Sami Makkonen Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: August 2012
Price: $3.99
“The zombies have over run the Earth! A small outpost, remnants of a twisted scientists’ scheme to defeat the plague holds out against the army of King Zombie. Their secret weapon are the Lepers-victims of a bizarre experiment that left them with dead flesh in breathing husks with skin that even zombies won’t touch. This new series of Deadworld is perfect for new readers to join in the frenzy of what has been called the “grand-daddy” of all zombie comics.”
*Note: This series will be weekly throughout the month of August.
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
Welcome back my old friend. It is about damn time that we meet again. The last time we saw this cast of characters in Deadworld, was with the highly praised Slaughterhouse OGN. The events that will unfold in this series are picking up around one year after that. Award winning artist Sami Makkonen (Sarjis Awards), is back to bring Deadworld into the realm of color. I have to admit at first I was skeptical when hearing this, but these pages are GORE-Geous! Sami’s style has a rugged beauty to it, that I think is only enhanced by the addition of color. The gritty look of his panels add to setting up the perfect look for this undead universe. I have to quickly throw mention to his interpretation of King Zombie, it is jaw dropping. I know what you are asking yourself now, “Dan, if the art is that good can the story be on the same level?” Hell yes it can reader, HELL YES. With there being a gap between issues and OGN’s, Gary Reed has to make sure that people recall what came before, as well as make it open to new readers. He nails this on the head and then drives it home with the opening of this arc. While not all previous characters are covered here, the ones that are shine brightly. No one really pulls in the spotlight on them, which shows how well Reed was able to juggle setting things up. The BIG highlight to the story was the breakdown of how the community is protecting itself from larger groups of the undead. It was just the amount of detail that went into that scene that proved why I place Gary on such a high pedestal when it comes to writers. This issue had more than I could have ever wanted from a new Deadworld series. The artwork and story are done at such a high level, that you had better get a ladder ready for when this book is in your hands. Hands down a MUST BUY!
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to know more about Deadworld: War of the Dead #1 please go to http://www.idwpublishing.com/or http://www.garyreed.net/.
Issue: Dead Reckoning: Contagion issue #2
Writer: Z.M. Thomas Pencils: Cliff Richards Publisher: Trepidation Comics
Release Date: January 2012
Pages: 28
Price: $3.99
“With the resurgence of what is believed an evolved strain of the 1918 Spanish Influenza strikes South Eastern Asia, a Chinese pharmaceutical company along with the Epidemic Intelligence Service and CDC are on a race against time to create a cure and prevent a future global pandemic. But when the new vaccine begins to bring the dead of those infected back to life, the military places the entire city of Minneapolis under quarantine.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5.0
WEED WHACKER HO! Contagion is back, under a new name, and it is ready to blast your balls (sorry ladies) to the wall! When the first issue ended, it left me wanting so much more, and issue #2 is here to deliver that. The artwork has been kicked up a notch, but you should be able to tell that from the cover image posted with this review. Not only do the character designs make my jaw drop from panel to panel, but the colors are to DIE for. This is one GORE-Geous book! Richards is great at depicting emotion, but I will gripe that we are not all supermen with out rock hard ab’s. Just saying, all comics do that and it bothers me. Not your fault Cliff, I promise. The story by Thomas is working on two levels. Level #1 is moving the story along. He has a great handle on getting from A to B, while still adding on what has happened and why it might be happening. Level #2 is the intensity level. Being able to move the story along while adding intense and relaxed scenes is not an easy task. Yet Z.M. does it with ease. This book is great, but I have a gripe. I need more of it faster! I think that this one would honestly work best as an OGN, or at least told in large issue chapters. At least then I am not left wanting more and more when I finish a single issue. If you find this book grab it, if you can’t find it go to the damn website because this is how horror comics are done right.
Issue: Night of 1,000 Wolves #1 Writer: Bobby Curnow Artist: Dave Wachter Publisher: IDW Publishing Release Date: May 2012 Price: $3.99
“In the Dark Ages, the tranquil life of Harrick Benjyon and his family is shattered by unthinkable tragedy. Before they can react, the family find themselves under seige by hordes of wolves with one aim. Death. A race for survival becomes all the more impossible by the arrival of the supernatural… and the dark secrets that lie at the heart of the Benjyon family. Another classic horror tale from the company that brought you 30 Days of Night and Locke & Key!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I’ll make this review simple… BUY THIS BOOK! Night of 1,000 Wolves sprints right out of the gate and never slows down. The artwork by Wachter is so consistent on the characters, which leads to some gnarly looking wolves to the drop dead GORE-Geous monster wolf (still not sure if it is a werewolf yet) at the end. He nailed this book. Matter of fact I want a large poster of that final page, it was just so damn awesome. Like I mentioned, the story crafted by Curnow never skips a beat. His pacing is perfect for a first issue. He grabs you by the throat at the start, loosens up a little in the middle just to tease you, and then finishes you off at the end. The dialogue is perfect and the mystery is just beginning to unravel. From the start this is one horrific tale that you will grab you and not let go. I was not expecting this, but I am damn sure glad I got it. Can I have issue #2 now?
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Night of 1,000 Wolves you can find it at http://www.idwpublishing.com
Issue: Frankenstein Alive, Alive! #1 Writer: Steve Niles Artist: Bernie Wrightson Publisher: IDW Publishing Release Date: May 2012 Price: $3.99
“Few works by comic-book artists have earned the universal acclaim and reverence that Bernie Wrightson’s illustrated version of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s Frankenstein was met with upon its original release in 1983. Nearly 30 years later, Wrightson returns to his passion project with a comic series that picks up at the end of the classic novel, hailed as one of the greatest horror stories of all time. Frequent Wrightson collaborator Steve Niles provides the script for this epic, decades in the making. While appearing to be in black and white, each page was scanned in color to mimic as closely as possible the experience of viewing the actual original art, showing off the exquisitely detailed brush work of one of the greatest living artists in comics today. Each issue will also include supplemental materials, including interviews, essays and a serialization of the original prose story by Shelley.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Please hold, my eyes are still drooling from these GORE-Geous pages. Wrightson just blew my visual system right out of the back of my head in this first issue of Frankenstein Alive, Alive! #1. Every single panel in this book is a masterpiece, as a matter of fact, think of this issue as a $4 art gallery that you are privileged to take come in and enjoy. The black and white is so crisp and clean, and I don’t recall if I said this yet, but it is GORE-Geous! The story by Niles is so poetic that it moved me. Granted I can’t move far unless a strong gush of wind comes my way, but this story really took a look into the soul of the Monster. I will admit, it did take 2 reads for me to fully catch everything, in terms of the order of the events that were happening, but it just meant I got to enjoy the hell out of this twice. The horror elements seem to be more about internal suffering than anything else, and it works. From the artwork to the story, this book is a winner. It will make you want to go get the first round by Wrightson and read it again, and then you will come back and read this again, until it all becomes one vicious cycle that consumes you. Then you will create your own Monster to do your bidding so you can keep enjoying this over and over again. A MUST BUY!
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Frankenstein Alive, Alive! you can find it at http://www.idwpublishing.com/
Launched last weekend, at London’s Kapow comic-con, British anthology Overload will be a comic to keep your eyes on. Kicking off the series is an exciting story by Gordon Rennie, Emma Beeby and Eoin Coveney being: a zombie critique of modern Coalition Britain. Just check out the glorious zombie Thatcher cover art by Graeme Neil Reid.
She shut the coal mines, privatised every major public utility in the UK, introduced the poll tax, pre-empted the banking crisis and stole the milk from our childrens’ mouths – and now she’s back from the dead to re-take her rightful place as the leader of the country from the weak-minded ConDem coalition.
Also featured in issue #1 is ‘Comort’ written by Dave Cook and Gary Crutchely (2000AD), a short story about the things in life we turn to when the chips are down.
‘Staring Into The Eye Of A Blackbird, You Can See The Things He Likes And The Things He Doesn’t’, written by Martin Hayes with art by Graeme Howard depicts the tale of a lonely young man whose existence disturbed by dreams of a mysterious blackbird that watches his every move… ‘Omen’, written by Geoffrey D. Wessel (Keeper) with art by Steve Penfold (Fallen Heroes)the right-wing media agenda while an alien invasion takes place… Cy Dethan (Cancertown) scripts ‘Open Source’ with art by Aaron Moran in a story about protect something precious by keeping it hidden in plain sight…
While writer Matt Gibbs and James Reekie (The Ballad of Frank Satre) deliver the haunting ‘Otherworld Sailor’ – a tale about ancient religion and a shocking visitation.
Check out this preview selection of pages below. You can almost smell the quality…
Overload is intended to be a regular black and white anthology title showcasing the work of established talent, while introducing some new creators to the comics industry.The brainchild of writer/editor Martin Conaghan (who brought us the fine Burke and Hare), it is, in classic Brit comics fashion, an anthology (using creator owned tales), with Martin explaining the idea is to have a showcase for established and also some incoming writers and artists.
Publishing house Dark Horse are set to release a selection of pre-code golden oldies updated with accurate color restoration, uncoated off-white paper, and an impressive roster of foreword writers.
Amongst this selection stands the amazing Adventures into the Unknown. The title was released in the fall of 1948 by B&I Publishing (later known as American Comics Group) and enjoyed a run of 174 issues for nearly two decades, ceasing publication in August 1967. Though not the first horror comic published (one-shot Eerie Comics of January 1947 holds the distinction), Adventures Into the Unknown was the first horror comic to enjoy regularly scheduled publication.
The comic will feature a series of essays by Bruce Jones, focusing on the long-running horror anthology and the climate that led to the Comics Code Authority. Adventures into the Unknown managed to dodge the mass cull of the 1954 Comics Code Authority due to a focus on ghost stories and spooky goings on rather than rampant canabilism and sexy ladies.
The pre-Code delights found in this anthology include exciting tales such as “The Living Ghost,” “Kill, Puppets, Kill,” “The Affair of Room 1313,” and the ongoing “True Ghosts of History” feature—and contributions from Golden Age greats Fred Guardineer, Al Feldstein, Leonard Starr, Edvard Moritz, and others!
Check out the preview…
Also available in this range: Silver Streak, Crime Does Not Pay, and Forbidden Worlds.
The comics found in these collections are incredibly hard to find, expensive, and full of freewheeling, pre-Code fun (and sometimes viscera). It’s a joy to be able to handle these comics and work on these collections—but a bigger joy comes from being able to bring these stories to new readers and to finally assign credits to some creators who have been uncredited for decades!
said Dark Horse editor Philip Simon.
The comics in these anthologies are seen as revered and influential—but they’ve been impossible to find. Now Dark Horse is making these gems available in affordable collections for discussion, dissection, and inspiration!
Adventures into the Unknown Archives Volume 1 is on sale May 30, 2012.
Silver Streak Archives Featuring the Original Daredevil Volume 1 is on sale June 27, 2012.
Crime Does Not Pay Archives Volume 2 is on sale July 11, 2012.
Forbidden Worlds Archives Volume 1 is on sale December 12, 2012.
Issues: Hoax Hunter’s #1 Writers: Michael Moreci, Steve Seeley Artist: Axel Medellin, Tim Seeley (c) Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: July 2011 Price: $2.99
“The acclaimed backup begins its own series! A rash of mass animal deaths leads the Hoax Hunters to the Louisiana bayou. What they find is a mystery that harkens to Jack’s past – and a dangerous cryptid bent on revenge!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
There are three things that one can do to easily win me over with a comic book. One of those things is to have the story take place in the Louisiana swamps, and guess what issue did that, Hoax Hunters #1. Spinning out of the back up stories in Hack/Slash, and then being collected into issue #0, we join the team as they embark to solve a mystery in the swamp. No this is not like Scooby Doo, it is better. I openly welcome artist Axel Medellin into the family because he nailed this issue. His panels were consistent and he created one of the most GORE-Geous swamp monsters I have ever seen. Moreci and Seeley are on top of their game with this issue. If you missed the #0 issue you don’t have to worry, because they cover some good back story here. They also move forward with great pacing and some killer mystery that is left to unfold. Hoax Hunters is simply put, a fun read that plays with monster mythos. Hell I could easily just call this the baby of Scooby Doo and Proof. A great first issue and there is still more to come, I mean come on, lets get to the carnival already!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to know more about Hoax Hunters please go to http://www.imagecomics.com/
Issue: Zombie Chuck #2 Writer: Brian Fyffe Artist: Brian Fyffe Release Date: 2012 Pages: 32 Price: $5.00
“Chuck and Lily’s second adventure, in 28 pages of color printed on aged newsprint paper!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5 Zombie Chuck is back, and ready to party for Halloween! I was so excited to get my hands on the second issue of this series from Brian Fyffe, that he avoided me for 2 whole days at C2E2, just to drive up my want level. Building off of the first issue, we now get Chuck in color. This adds to the overall concept and feel of ZC in such a good way. Being a book that is directed at all ages, like Casper would be, it is important to utilize all of the tools at your disposal to try to attract an audience, so the addition of color is a step in the right direction. I really love Fyffe’s style on the entire cast, and while I thought that I the werewolves would be the coolest looking characters in this issues, I have to go hands down to the Big Blue Monster. He is awesome! The designs on the cast are classic in horror nature, but so fun in context to the story. The story itself is full of horror and comedy. I really get this old sci-fi movie vibe from it as well. Movies that were meant to be scary at the time, but when watched now have this fun monster feel to them. The story is great for everyone and anyone and added with the amazing artwork, it makes this book a clear-cut winner. I really hope that at some point we can get more than 1 issue a year, but it’s always great to know that when I go to C2E2 I can pick up the next one. Zombie Chuck is worth all 500 pennies.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Zombie Chuck you can find it at http://www.fyffo.com
War ensues between the forces of good and evil as Hellboy finally confronts the Queen of Blood one on one, setting the stage for a new chapter in Hellboy’s life!
Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo conclude an epic collaboration that began in Hellboy: Darkness Calls!
Based on the Dark Horse comics series Hellboy: The Fury.
There’s a great sound track to these movies that add a new level of interest to the whole proceedings. However, there seems to be a lot of mixed reactions over the voice actors, and whether of not these videos are actually any good. Tell us what you think.
Issue: Monocyte #4 Writers: Menton3, Kasra Ghanbari, Steve Niles, Barron Storey Artists: Menton3, Chris Newman, Ben Templesmith Covers: Menton3, David Stoupakis, Phil Hale Publisher: IDW Release Date: May 2012 Price: $3.99
“The world is in in chaos. Monocyte makes his way to Azrael as the human slaves are freed… Series conclusion with art by menton3 (ZvR: Aventure, Silent Hill) and co-written by Kasra Ghanbari with an incentive cover by world-renowned fine artist Phil Hale and side stories by legendary fine artist/illustrator Barron Storey (Sandman: Endless Nights) and superstar horror writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre).”
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
How can I even begin to put into words what I thought about the final issue of Monocyte without just saying…PERFECTION! That’s all, review over. No, just kidding, but it really does sum up this issue and this entire series oh so damn well. The main story (there are two backup stories) was visually stunning. At one point my eyes melted out of my skull because of how GORE-Geous the pages by Menton3 and Chris Newman were. Since the series is now over, I want to recap how well the art played with the story because it was nailed down with this final issue. The images presented throughout the series were almost like going to an art gallery. I wondered how words could even try to play well with what I was seeing visually, and I think it was a great challenge for Menton3 and Kasra to overcome. Yet, in the hands of these two, a story was crafted that defied visual logic, playing out so poetically that I wondered if the images were even needed! They crafted a world that had so much depth and mystery that it played out beyond what my brain could even comprehend. This issue just solidifies the fact that when the right elements combine you can create something so beautiful it will leave all readers satisfied. Monocyte was a tempting beauty that captured my black heart for months on end. This, ladies and gentlemen, is beyond what comic books strive to be. It is what comic books should be.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Monocyte you can find it at http://www.idwpublishing.com
Issue: Product of Society #5 Creators: Jon Michael Lennon, Leo Perez, Chris Newman, B. Alan Hubbard, Lauren Burke, Andrew Dimitt, Don Hills, Kyle Lawler, Donovan Klingal, Josh Filer, Mat Festa, Thor Fjalarsson and Sarah Hollings Publisher: CheeseLord Comics Release Date: March 2012 Price: $5.00
“Synopsis An anthology of Earth’s most disturbed persons. Product of Society features comics covering all known genres from a wide be selection of upcoming indie talents. It is an echo chamber for the despair within the human soul that makes us all products of society.”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5 Dirty, Smut, Filth, Trash, Horror GOODNESS! Each word can only bring 1 oz of justice to the pages of Product of Society #5. I want to start with the cover art because that is just GORE-Geous! I want a story based on whatever is going on there. And the back cover is magnificent! Like most anthologies this book is filled with varying art and story telling styles. I really think that every single artist in this issue is amazing in what they do. They all have a unique visual voice that might not look like it’s neighbor story, but they all play together so well. Visually this book is a winner. So how do the stories hold up? What I always seem to notice in an anthology is some kind a variance in what I enjoy, compared to something that just is not for me. I highly enjoyed 6 of the 8 stories in this book. I did find that some could use a little polishing on the dialogue, but overall it is a solid collection of tales. The highlights for me were “Re:Salvation”, “Moon Shits”, and “Her Eyes”. Out of all the stories these 3 were my favorites. Product of Society may be a mature title, but what is collected inside of it, is solid comic silver. Polishing up some of the edges for future issues will easily put this book in a gold class all on its own, it is worth every penny.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Product of Society #5 you can find it at http://cheeselordcomics.com/
Viper Comics is proud to announce its Digital 1st comic series which is being launched today, “Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter”. Get your digital copy for only .99 cents at Graphicly, iVerse, Comixology, iBooks and Amazon.
The series launched with the release of Issue #1 in March. Issue #2 followed on April 18th. Issue #3 is released on May 16 and Issue #4 releases on June 13. The trade comes out on July 11th. Just in time for Comic-Con 2012.
Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter
Written by Russell Nohelty | Art by Renzo Podesta
Ichabod Jones is a deranged, mentally unstable psychopath. He’s also on a mission to save the world. At least that’s what the bossy voice in his head tells him. The same voice that led him to be interred in a maximum security mental asylum in the first place. Now, he must escape from the asylum and rid the world of monsters in the midst of the Apocalypse. Of course he’s a psychopath, so who knows if anything going on in his head is real in the first place.
I love comic book trailers, take a look at this one below.
Do you want to join the Scream team? We're looking for enthusiastic people to contribute articles on horror or comics here on The Theatre of Terror. Contact me for more info.
Launched last weekend, at London’s Kapow comic-con, British anthology Overload will be a comic to keep your eyes on. Kicking off the series is an exciting story by Gordon Rennie, Emma Beeby and Eoin Coveney being: a zombie critique of modern Coalition Britain. Just check out the glorious zombie Thatcher cover art by Graeme Neil Reid. 
Publishing house Dark Horse are set to release a selection of pre-code golden oldies updated with accurate color restoration, uncoated off-white paper, and an impressive roster of foreword writers.
War ensues between the forces of good and evil as Hellboy finally confronts the Queen of Blood one on one, setting the stage for a new chapter in Hellboy’s life!
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