by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Doctor Spektor Archives Volume 4 HC
Writer: Donald Glut
Artist: Jesse Santos
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: February 2012
Price: $50.00
“Confronting supernatural threats and vengeful monsters, Dr. Spektor travels from Scottish lochs to cursed swamplands–and from the surreal dreamscape of the Egyptian afterlife to New York City’s Chinatown! Collecting issues #19 to #25 of The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor and a Spektor tale from Gold Key Spotlight #8, plus notes from Spektor’s secret files, including a piece on Dr. Solar!”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
Believe it or not review reader, I have never had a chance to check out Doctor Spektor comics before. Sure I have heard of them, but it was not until Dark Horse supplied me with this great volume that I had my first chance to really check this cast out. The artwork in this volume by Santos is fantastic. He does a great job of keeping the cast consistent from panel to panel. The man can also draw an amazing monster or two. I thought that the Leviathan and the Lurker were the highlights of the bunch, but each stories creature or villain could easily hold it’s own. The stories in this series do feel dated (70’s), but they can hold up with the horror detective tales of today. For those fans of Cal McDonald, Dylan Dog, or John Constantine you might want to check out Doctor Specktor. The same concept applies here, in that something bizarre is happening and it is up to him to solve it. Each story has it’s own tale, and they play out like a weekly television show. You have the mystery and intrigue to capture the readers from the start, but then they are wrapped up by the end. So there is a good deal of story to be had in these pages. My only downside was that I felt some of the stories we really good, but others were not able to live up to that same level. Overall this is an amazing collection, that I am very proud to have had the chance to look at. Fans of the horror detectives will easily fall in love with this book, and I think any old school horror fans will be happy to check this out as well. These stories can stand up with the best of them and this book deserves to be on your horror shelf.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Doctor Spektor you can find it at http://www.darkhorse.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror #3
Writers: Jason “Bloke” Crawley, Mike Hoffman
Artists: Mike Hoffman, Rock Baker
Publisher: Mike Hoffman & Jason Crawley
Release Date: February 2012
Price: $8.95
“Another 6 tales to keep you entertained and craving more! Retro style artwork and straight to the point story telling, hosted by The Bloke and The Fearleader! The ongoing series from artist Mike Hoffman and writer Jason Crawley continues to help fill the void left behind by those classic mags we read growing up!
Miss those glory days of Horror Anthology magazines? Then look no further….”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
6 more tales of terror are coming your way, when you pick up this fantastic horror comic magazine. Jason Crawley, Mike Hoffman and Rock Baker are not afraid to take you into the dark depths of the comic-verse within these 52 pages. The artwork is drop dead GORE-Geous. It screams out that it belongs in the horror world, with its amazing black and white image that will make your bones shiver. I really loved the look of every story, but I am a big fan of Hoffman’s style. Baker, whose work I am new to, is a perfect fit for this kind of work. The two styles combined to bring a me an eyegasm. The stories live up to what I think of as classic horror. It borders on a Twilight Zone kind of feel. Nothing is over the top gorey, and they are short enough to contain the right amount of horror fun. I often think of these kind of stories to be like Aesop Fables, as you learn what not to do, to survive. My favorite stories of the bunch had to be “Green Fingers” and “Deja Grue”. This anthology can speak to old school horror fans as well as new comers. It has a great throwback feel that will easily win people over. I enjoyed this issue so much, that I am now going to start yelling at “Bloke” until I get another issue in front of me. You need to check this out, and if you get the chance to do it in person, say hi to Jason because he is there as “Bloke”.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Bloke’s Terrible Tomb of Terror you can find it at Bloke’s Terrible Tomb
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Rachel Rising Vol. 1: The Shadow of Death
Writer: Terry Moore
Artist: Terry Moore
Publisher: Abstract Studio
Release Date: 2012
Price: $16.99
“Rachel Beck wakes in a shallow grave and claws her way free as a mysterious woman watches from a bluff. With no memory of the night before, Rachel enlists the help of Aunt Johnny, the town mortician, to find her killer. But when repeated attacks send her to the morgue, Rachel’s ability to wake from death again and again prove to be a blessing and a curse, and the eerie town of Manson will never be the same! Collects issues #1-6.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Oh Terry Moore, you wow me on all levels. Rachel Rising was a title in which I did not know what to expect when it came out, and honestly I still don’t know what to expect because it is such a mystery. Within the pages of Volume 1, I was treated to GORE-Geous artwork and a story that left me needing more! Moore’s art style shines on these pages. His characters are a thing to behold. They are so solid on every panel and it says something to the fact that it is all done in glorious black and white. Not that I don’t like gray tones, but they are not needed here. This book captures the elements of horror in expressions and scenes so well. When something is set to scare you, you better believe it will. The story itself had a slower start, but then picked up quickly. By the time I got to issue #3, I was hooked. The dialogue is a huge strong point for this book. Moore has an amazing grasp on how people interact, and it has shown in all of his titles. Going back to the horror elements, he does a fantastic job of building up a sense of terror in the reader, as people have very creepy vibes about them. This world is just beginning to be flushed out, and already I need it to be presented to me more than once a month. This is a book I will be talking about for years to come, and this collection is only just the beginning. You won’t be able to just read this book, because you will be transplanted into this world and feel that it is becoming a part of who you are. Buy now, and enjoy it for many years to come!
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Rachel Rising Vol. 1: The Shadow of Death you can find it at http://www.terrymooreart.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave #2
Creators: Rick Baker, Kerry Gammill, Mike Hoffman, Sam F. Park, Jack Herman, Mike Dubisch, Joe Freire, Michael Leal, Kamil Kochanski, Neil Vokes, James Groman, Tom Smith, Nik Poliwko, Mark Owen, Linda Miller
Publisher: Monsterverse Entertainment
Release Date: May 2012
Price: $4.99
“A strange, pop-eyed sailor is released from a sunken ship after over 70 years; all who look into the eye have their souls sucked out! A masked Mexican wrestler battles a chupacabra to rescue a lady in distress. Film experts discover the horrible secret of a lost werewolf film. Dr. Vornoff builds a mechanical man to help him conquer the world. And a busboy learns of bizarre tastes working in a obscure Chinese restaurant serving dishes that are out of this world.“
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Anthologies, the life blood of the horror comics industry. The foundation to which the genre was built off of, still has such a solid base when you know that Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave is part of that great tradition. I can’t lie to you review reader, it is very difficult to review anthologies, when you figure that you are getting 3+ stories that all have a different story telling and artistic style. So not everything will appeal to everyone. Issue #2 of BLTFTG has to have been written just for me, because I enjoyed every second of every single story. The artwork in this issue starts off at such a high level thanks to the cover by Academy Award winner Rick Baker, but each story and pin-up does nothing to lower the bar. I thought that “Strange to the Finish”, “Lugosi’s Legends & Lore” and “Order In/Take Out Chaos” were the best of the bunch. Onto the stories, of those horror stories that just blew the doors off of one another. Hell I even liked the one about wrestlers! This is a great mix of monsters, that all compliment one another. Personally I have to tip my head to “Order In/Take Out Chaos” and ” Claws of the Werewolf”. Everything about this issue screams old school horror meets new school approach. With the inclusion of an interview and the pin-ups this is a steal for only 5. I am beyond ecstatic that this issue is in my collection and I can not wait for more. There is a reason that Monsterverse Entertainment won a Ghastly Award and had so many nominees, they do horror right!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
Please note MV books are available in the UK via Hemlock Books. http://www.hemlockbooks.co.uk/
Comics from the MONSTERVERSE are NOW AVAILABLE at finer comic shops in the US and Canada and on Amazon.com! http://www.amazon.com/shops/monsterverse
MV books are also available in the US on Facebook via our Monsterverse Store at SHOP NOW. https://www.facebook.com/Monsterverse/app_135607783795
You can also download our books at iVerse, Amusedom and GRAPHICLY. Monsterverse on GRAPHICLY presents the best in modern horror stories told in the classic horror comics tradition. Publications include BELA LUGOSI’S TALES FROM THE GRAVE and the graphic novel series THE BLACK FOREST and THE FACELESS. Download now on your computer or mobile apps. http://graphicly.com/monsterverse
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Rebel Blood #2
Writer: Alex Link, Riley Rossmo
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: April 2012
Pages: 28
Price: $3.50
“A mysterious infection is sweeping the land turning animals and people into blood-crazed killers! The food supply is dwindling…and you’re on the menu! How bad can things get? You’re about to find out!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Rats, the issue ended! Rats, are eating away at his flesh! Rat’s I need more of this series now! Riley and Alex are back with issue #2 or this Zombie-rific story and it just blows the doors off the horror comic book world. It is no surprise to me that Riley won the Ghastly Award for best artist of 2011. He shows off his skills in this issue so perfectly because even the rats creep me out. The nail in the coffin to getting a perfect score though is the way he depicts certain action scenes. Seeing a car on one page travel down a road, but being drawn 5 times and all highlighted makes this an animation sequence. Even the scene where the truck flips, just GORE-Geous. The story in this issue takes a little turn from how it was told in the first issue. With issue #1, there was a good amount of jumping back and forth to tell some back story on top of the “live” events. In this issue it’s almost all centered on current happenings, and only takes a look back once, for a nice change of pace. The dialogue is great from page to page, but it doesn’t live up to the same level as the art in this issue. I don’t want this series to end. I think that there is so much to explore within this world and it ALL needs to be presented, even if it is just to me. This book is a balls to the wall horror mystery, a serious must read!
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Rebel Blood you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Mongrel: Son of a Bitch #1
Writer: Edward Dunphy
Artist: Andrew Mitchell Kudlka
Publisher: Velvet Leaf Publishing
Price: $4.99
“Mongrel: Son of a Bitch is a 3-part gritty urban horror comic mini-series created by writer Ed Dunphy and artist Andrew M. Kudelka. It’s about Eric, a vicious werewolf that’s Hell-bent on destroying an established supernatural wolfpack in Chicago, and Will, the tough-as-nails homicide detective who is trying to solve the gruesome string of murders on his turf. The 1st full-color issue debuted at DanCon 2012 and will see a second limited release at C2E2 in Chicago in April. After a planned April Kickstarter campaign, the book will be available for order online at www.VelvetLeafPublishing.com and in select comic shops. The second issue will be ready in early summer, followed by the finale in late summer. Those wishing updates should contact the creators at: VLPcomics@hotmail.com.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Someone call PETA there is a werewolf massacre taking place! From GORE-Geous artwork to a very engaging story Mongrel #1 has it all. The art by Kudelka is spot on from panel to panel. He draws an amazing looking werewolf and has a great grasp on the human form as well. Now personally I know that this book came out in black and white, and while I like it with the color, I do think it worked better in the B&W style, personal preference though. The story by Dunphy is gripping and action packed. For a first issue it does a great job of setting up for the series as well as grabbing my mind and making it want more. The dialogue is perfect and I really got a sense of being there, almost as if I was watching a movie. With more issues on the horizon I can not wait to see how this plays out. With the werewolf resurgence in full effect right now it is awesome to get Mongrel out there for the masses. This is a series not to be missed.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Mongrel #1 you can find it athttps://www.facebook.com/mongrelcomic
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Dear Creature OGN
Writer: Jonathan Case
Artist: Jonathan Case
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: October 2011
Price: $15.99
“Deep beneath the waves, a creature named Grue broods. He no longer wants to eat lusty beachgoers, no matter how their hormones call to him. A chorus of crabs urges him to reconsider. After all, people are delicious! But this monster has changed. Grue found Shakespeare’s plays in cola bottles and, through them, a new heart. Now he yearns to join the world above.
Rising from a brine of drive-in pulp and gentle poetry, Jonathan Case’s debut graphic novel Dear Creature is the love story you never imagined!”
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
How in the world did I miss this book when it came out? Inside of the covers of this book, lies a story that blew me away and artwork that melted my eyes out of their sockets. The visuals were so GORE-Geous, and they were only presented in black and white. The real kicker though was the way that Case was able to show expression through facial features and body movements. Every panel had a real life feel to it and it just hit home with me, as it got me invested in the cast on a more personal level, like something you would get from watching a movie. The story itself nailed so many different levels; Horror ✓, Humor ✓, Romance ✓, Mystery ✓. Every single one of those concepts is covered and played out so well. The jokes from the crabs had me rolling on the floor. The horror elements were classic, which is what I expected with a “Monster” being the main character. The huge surprise was the dialogue. The sheer amount of time that Jonathan had to put into this writing to get it right would be mind-blowing to find out. It did take some getting used to, but once I got it down it was just poetry on the page. If you know me, you know I don’t give out 5 out of 5’s often, and this book is more than deserving of the highest score. It is so solid on every single level that I am sad to think it is over now. Do yourself a favor and make sure to check this one out. I missed out when it came out and I regret that I had to wait for it to be nominated for a Ghastly Award to finally have a chance to check it out.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Dear Creature you can find it at http://www.dearcreature.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Grim Leaper #1
Writer: Kurtis Wiebe
Artist: Aluisio Santos
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: May 2012
Price: $3.50
“A brand new series from the mind of critically acclaimed writer KURTIS J. WIEBE (GREEN WAKE, PETER PANZERFAUST), GRIM LEAPER is a gory romantic comedy. Lou Collins is caught in a cyclical curse of violent, gruesome deaths and new beginnings in the bodies of strangers. With no clue why, Lou desperately searches for a way to break the curse and cross over peacefully to the other side. Then equally doomed Ella comes along. It’s a love story to die for.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
WHOA! Did you see that decapitation! In a series that I expect to be filled with tons of GORE-Geous images, Grim Leaper #1 does not disappoint. The artwork by Santos is jaw dropping from panel to panel. I absolutely love the way he uses perspective in such unique ways. The curves of roads play into the odd setting that the story takes place, and gruesome deaths can be found throughout. Story wise, Wiebe has delivered yet again. Mixing in elements of horror and romance sprinkled with some great humor, this story has it all. I love the concept and how it is playing out. I won’t spoil anything, but find that I can not wait to see if this will work out for the main characters. Beauty is really in one’s personality and this series is out to prove it. A fantastic first issue that only makes me crave more and more.
Artwork: 4.5 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: Alabaster: Wolves #1
Writer: Caitlín R. Kiernan
Artist: Steve Lieber
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: April 2012
Price: $3.50
“For nearly as long as she can remember, Dancy Flammarion has fought monsters, cutting a bloody swath through the demons and dark things of the world, aimed like a weapon by forces beyond her control or questioning.”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Phew! I have to admit that I originally feared this would be a book along the lines of Twilight, due to the popularity of such franchises being turned into comics. It is not though. What is presented within these pages is a story that is visually breathtaking, mentally stimulating and when combined they create one hell of a first issue. The artwork in this book did take me a little bit to adjust to, but after 5 pages I was on board. The character designs are great, and the consistency is seen from panel to panel. The most GORE-Geous thing in this book though, was the werewolf transformation. Easily the visual highlight of the issue for me. The story itself was something I expect from a #1. It grabs you with what it presents, yet leaves enough mystery to have you come back for more. The dialogue was fun, sadly I was not able to solve any of the riddles (I stink, I know). I love the concept so far and really can not wait to see how it plays out. This issue was more than I expected and now I expect so much more from this series. Check this one out!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Alabaster: Wolves #1 you can find it at http://www.darkhorse.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Pandemonium OGN
Writer: Christophe Bec
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Publisher: Humanoids
Pages: 160
Price: $19.95
“In 1951, a mother and her young daughter entered one of America’s most prestigious institutions for the treatment of Tuberculosis, The Waverly Hills Sanatorium. The events that befell them shortly thereafter, both of a supernatural and criminal nature, were some of the most sordid of the times. Based on real events. A true tale of horror, literally!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5.0
It’s always funny to me how things happen in 3’s. Take this book for example, at the time I read this, I had also just seen a movie involving an asylum and I am in the middle of reading a horror novel about one too. I think that those outside factors easily played into why this book was so great . The artwork was something to behold, as it visually depicted this great horror tale. The characters were so consistent and detailed throughout every panel. However it was the horror elements that stole the show. Raffaele had a GORE-Geous way of being able to capture the scenes where it was needed most. I still can not remove the image of a crazy doctor from my mind. The angles chosen in these scenes was just so perfect, but they were few and far between for most of the story. Bec deserves a standing ovation what transpired in these pages. From the very start there was always this eerie vibe that could be picked up on, and while I thought that the horror elements were on the lighter side, when they did come up they packed a punch. The dialogue was sharp, and translated nicely into English. The pacing was fantastic throughout and the ending pulled at my heart-strings A HUGE highlight to this book was getting to the backup material only to find out that Waverly Hills Sanatorium is real, and now I want to know so much more. Overall this is a book that should be sitting in your horror collection. It was an amazing read from start to finish and always had me on the edge of my seat. I really hope that other stories from this particular location can come to life on the comic page, because there seems to be so much more to tell. BUY THIS BOOK, you will not regret it.
Art: 4.5 out of 5.0 • Story: 5.0 out of 5.0
If you would like to buy or know more about Pandemonium OGN you can find it at http://www.humanoids.com/
by
Ghastly McNasty
A few months ago I received Damaged Goods in the post. Normally I’d complain to the Post Office (hahahaha) but on this occasion it was a rather sinister looking graphic novel, and the pages within were anything but normal!
Writer, Richard McAuliffe, and artist, Mark Chilcott have crafted 128 pages of disturbing and morally questionable, extreme horror stories that will burrow in to your brain and mess around with the sanity settings in your head. The creative team seems to be in sync, both a little deranged but on the same wave length, and it shows, as the stories and art compliment each other well.
McAuliffe leaves no stones unturned and no boundaries uncrossed in his writing, delivering disgusting scenes of murder and mutilation and then following up with a psychological scare that often requires an instant re-read just to make sure your eyes weren’t deceiving you the first time. It’s interesting stuff and manages to keep you entertained all the way through.
Chilcott is also on top form. Horror stories can lose a lot of their punch if the art fails to deliver an horrific image that disturbs the reader. Not the case with this book. When called upon, Mark delivers the creepy in abundance, drawing some great expressions on the faces of both victims and psycho murderers alike. There’s also a variation in style that keeps the whole thing fresh.
Standout moments of this GN happen when the line between reader and participant is broken. On several occasions you’re dragged unwillingly in to the stories, made to feel more like a dirty voyeur, than just a comic book fan. It’s a powerful way of bringing the audience closer to the creators. It also means you can’t complain about the filthy crimes within the book, or tut at the authors for their twisted minds. You’re a part of this debauchery for wanting to read it in the first place.
You can purchase Damaged Goods via the Markosia website.
Find out more by visting the Damaged Goods website.
by
Ghastly McNasty
Tim Daniel and Mehdi Cheggour’s upcoming Image Comics/Shadowline one-shot Enormous looks like the sort of GN we could really get our teeth in to. It’s an apocalyptic tale concerning the rise of of huge creatures, dubbed ‘The Enormous’, all hell-bent on wiping out humanity, following an man-made ecological event gone wrong.
You are the bottom of the food chain. A fading point of light in the course of evolutionary history. A dying species. You are human. You are a child – and Ellen Grace is coming to collect you. The ‘Enormous’ have ravaged the planet. In their wake of destruction, mankind has fallen. The race to stave off extinction has begun.
This 64 page one-shot is described as being suitable for fans of:
Genre-based survivalist fiction like The Passage, The Terror, On The Beach, Alas Babylon, The Walking Dead, World War Z, The Mist, Monsters, Troll Hunter, Cloverfield, The Host, Giant Monsters, Kaiju, Godzilla, THEM!, The Blob, Universal Monsters, Hammer Films, Ray Harryhausen and more!
It’s clear from this list that writer, Tim Daniel, has a certain fondness for monsters and the apocalypse, so we know what to expect from Enormous, yet we can see that he is also treading new ground.
Check out this preview gallery below:
What really stands out about this project is their lovely looking website which has been slowly expanding in content over the last year. The Enormous team have been enlisting the help of artist to create teasers and pin-ups, running art competitions on forums and posting little bits of info on their website since April 2011. This new approach to slowly and organically growing interest in their project has helped to accrue a fan base prior to the launch.
This approach is a fantastic idea and should definitely be a part of every comic creators marketing scheme. If you’re putting together a comic you need a website as a point of interest for potential fans or distributors. Why not make it a great site? It can only help to increase excitement in your project and foster a connection with your audience.
Enourmous will be available July 2012. In the mean time take a trip to their feature-filled Enormous website for more on this exciting new comic.
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