Creepy #11 – Review

By: Gilbert Hernandez, J. Torres, Dan Braun, Peter Bagge, Alisa Kwitney, Archie Goodwin & Jamie S. Rich (writers), Hernandez, Amy Reeder, Bagge, Zullo, Johnny Craig and Joelle Jones (art), Hernandez, Reeder, Bagge & Nate Piekos (letters)

The Story: What do you want me to say?  You know what Creepy is!  It’s a black and white anthology horror comic.

Review: If you had to draw up a checklist for a great issue of Creepy it would look like this: (a) zero stories that suck, (b) great black and white art, (c) “Oh, Henry!” endings galore and (d) one stellar story.

The only place this issue stumbles a little is that it doesn’t have that ONE story that really sticks out.  Everything is very, very good, but nothing quite rises to that level of awesomeness that it can carry the entire $4.99 issue by itself.

Deadpool #1 – Review

By: Gerry Duggan & Brian Posehn (Writers), Tony Moore (Artist), Val Staples (Colorist), Joe Sabino (Letterer)

The Review: So, it’s a comedy book. I’m not sure why I’m so surprised that Marvel chose to take this direction for the Marvel Now! Deadpool relaunch. After all, the evidence was pretty conclusive from the preview pages and the appearance of comedic actor and stand-up Brian Posehn on script duties. Maybe it was because (from what I could gauge through internet forums, comic book shop chatter etc.) there was a consensus among fans that a return to the Joe Kelly-era Deadpool was the preferred option. Insane, wise-cracking and maniacally violent, yes, but with a twisted vulnerability at his core; a sad clown hiding two machetes and an M60 in his pants. Instead Duggan and Posehn have played the book for straight-up LOLs. Which is fine – as long as they can actually get you to laugh. It’s not always the easiest thing to do in comics.

The set-up provides a decent enough stage for the mirth-making to play out on. A brief bit of exposition at the start of the book shows how a patriotic Necromancer  has taken to reanimating the bodies of America’s greatest non-living-Presidents so that they can save America from poverty, political division and Disney’s rampant subjugation of the entire entertainment industry (well, something like that anyways). While S.H.I.E.L.D. admits they’ve got to do something to stop the likes of Nixon and LBJ tearing Manhattan asunder, they’re also not totally keen on the idea of the Avengers being seen decapitating heads of state, zombie or no. Deadpool has no such haughty reputation to worry about however. After witnessing the Merc With A Mouth tussling with FDR (now imbued with super-strength and a whole host of other undead powers) S.H.I.E.L.D. offer him the gig.

Duggan and Posehn really try their best, keeping the jokes coming at a constant break-neck pace, Airplane!-style, though as such there’s little room for any real drama or depth. Humour can be a decisively subjective matter so I wouldn’t go so far as to say “this book isn’t funny” but…well, I don’t know, I guess it all just feels a little safe at best and a little awkward at worst. Somewhere hidden in here there might be a hilarious Deadpool MAX book trying to get out, but this isn’t it.

Severed #5 – Review

By: Scott Snyder & Scott Tuft (writers), Attila Futaki (art), Greg Guilhaumond (colors) & Fonografiks (letters)

The Story: A little boy is unwittingly on the road with a horrible cannibal monster posing as a traveling salesman.

Five Things: [With SPOILERS]

1. Creepy impending sense of doom pervades this book – This series did such a clever thing by showing the little boy as an adult in the first issue.  He was clearly missing an arm and this whole series is kinda, “Grandpa, tell us a story about how you lost your arm” vibe to it.  So, the reader knows that the arm is coming off at some point.  We just don’t know when or how it will happen.  Further, it looks highly likely that Jack (the little boy) will get attacked by this cannibal dude at some point, but we don’t know when the shoe will drop.  So, every scene before a page turn that shows something ominous really builds the anticipation.  Oh god! They’re going into a dark house!  Oh god! He drugged his water!  Oh god! He’s going to slam the hood of the car on his arm!  It’s quite well done and it’s hard to think of a comic that has effectively carried this sense of tension for as long as this creative team has.

2. Miss the little girl – It’s hard not to miss Jack’s budding-girlfriend/traveling companion, Sam.  She was such a neat character and had become so well developed in just a few issues that her absence is felt.  Clearly, she had to go away to get to this point where Jack is truly alone with the bad guy, but she’s still missed.  Maybe that’s just a testament to what a great character she was?

3. What’s this cannibal up to? – It’s really hard to figure out what this man is up to.  Perhaps he isn’t hungry yet because he just ate a few days ago?  In that case, perhaps it’s easier to just keep Jack around and alive (as opposed to killing/butchering and keeping the pieces in a freezer).  But, it almost seems like he’s taking on a fatherly role towards Jack.  The thing that makes this comic so great is that you know that something will happen.  But, we also know that it probably won’t be a straightforward ending with the cannibal gnawing Jack’s arm off with Jack miraculously escaping.  Something weird will happen involving Jack, the cannibal and perhaps Jack’s real father and it’s going to be really fun to watch it unfold.

Hack/Slash #6 – Review

By: Tim Seeley (writer), Daniel Leister (artist), Mark Englert (colorist), Crank! (letterer) & James Lowder (edits)

The Story: Hack/Slash gets back to some of its early roots with a story involving musicians & the hellish dimension of Nef.

What’s Good: This issue really had all the calling cards of a classically good Hack/Slash.  If you go back to the beginning of the series, there was involvement of the demonic realm of Nef with the slasher killers inhabiting the Hack/Slash universe and it’s fun to see the series going back to that.  That’s especially true because Seeley is doing it in such a way that is very new reader friendly.  So, if you’ve been lingering on the fence, this isn’t a bad jumping on point.

But, what sets Hack/Slash apart from the rest of the horror comics genre is its sense of humor.  This is a really funny comic and credit for that really should be shared by both Seeley and Leister.  The folks who get killed in this album are so annoying that you’re kinda happy when they get it.  One is some kinda shallow pop starlet with some made-up name and a massive following after one album and the other victims are stand-ins for the stars of the Jersey Shore.  I mean, who doesn’t enjoy seeing the slashers get those kinds of people.  Were this a horror movie, the audience would cheer when they die.  However, it isn’t all laughs because the killer really is scary so we’ve got something to laugh at and something to be frightful of at the same time.

There’s also two GREAT scenes with Pooch (the demonic Nef-beast turned good).  I’d like to say that we can never get enough Pooch, but that’s probably not true.  Part of Pooch’s charm is that he flashes through the comic for a few panels, cracks us up with his juxtaposition of earnest attitude and demonic appearance and then is gone.  Pooch always leaves us wanting more.

Creepy Comics #6 – Review

By: Joe R. Lansdale, Christopher A. Taylor, Alice Henderson, Dan Braun, Craig Haffnet, Archie Goodwin (writers), Nathan Fox, Jason Shawn Alexander, Kevin Ferrara, Garry Brown, Neal Adams (artists), Nate Piekos (letters) & Shawna Gore (editor)

The Story: Another issue of the reborn horror anthology from Dark Horse.

What’s Good: If you’re not getting Creepy, you’re doing comics wrong.  This issue nails the formula again by giving us 5 short-stories of horror goodness with excellent black-and-white art.

With anthologies, the overall grade is mostly related to (a) how good the “good” stories were and (b) how sucky were the “bad” stories.  The weakest of this issue’s stories (“Mine”) was still pretty cool and had great art and the high points (“Commedia Del Morte” & “Fair Exchange”) were really awesome.  Perhaps Dark Horse shouldn’t get full credit for Full Exchange by Archie Goodwin and Neal Adams since this is reprint material from the original 1960’s Creepy Magazine, but Commedia Del Morte was a real tour de force.  After reading Commedia Del Morte, you’ll see clowns as both scarier and more heroic than you ever did before.

Another thing that is precious about Creepy is that no one is trying to launch a new creator-owned series off any of these tales.  Even though I generally enjoy anthologies like Dark Horse Presents or Strange Tales from Vertigo, you know that those stories are usually pitches for ongoing series OR they are pitches that no one liked quite enough to turn into an ongoing series.  That’s never a problem with Creepy, there are just outstanding short stories with a definite ending.  Even when the concept is cool, the story has an ending.  Someone could easily turn the concept for Commedia Del Morte into a miniseries, but I strongly doubt we’ll ever see that.  Even though I enjoy continuity based superheroes as much as anyone, there is something special and powerful about these Creepy stories’ ephemeral nature.  And, these stories are basically timeless.  Go read the 60’s Creepys if you doubt me and compare how fresh they seem compared to Batman of that same era.

Xombi #1 – Review

By: John Rozum (writer), Frazer Irving (artist)

The Story: Can some super-powered nuns and a guy who never needs to use the restroom work together to defeat a miniaturized serial killer?

The Review: Once a staple of comics, the horror genre has grown out of favor, nowadays only found among the less-trodden stands of indie publishers than the throng of titles from either the Big Two.  It’s the times that have changed; the threshold for what can horrify people has gotten a lot higher, and so many of even the mainstream series feature horror elements that it’s hard to generate enough potent, new ideas for a dedicated horror comic.

After reading the first issue of Xombi, you may be convinced that at least with Rozum at the helm, there’s plenty of fresh ideas to keep the title going for a long time.  Rozum first wrote the series back in the early nineties, and in this revival, you get a swift re-intro to the character and the grim origins of his powers, which seem just as compelling as when they first appeared.  But more than that, you get the sense this title offers something different from the rest of the pack.

Consider the opening events alone: a painted tiger mauling a cow in a completely different painting, chickens giving live birth, movie characters disappearing off the reel—as the talking heads on a quarter, a nickel, and some pennies indicate, these are all the signs of something even more unnatural to come.  Despite the small scale and not necessarily original nature of these things, Rozum strings them together in an effectively creepy way.

The title also gets a truly oddball cast of characters.  David Kim, the titular Xombi, is the least of it.  You also get a posse of metahuman Catholics, including a shrinking nun, one with clairvoyance, and a schoolgirl blessed with heavenly light.  Just to give you a sense of what kind of people you’re dealing with here, let me say they don’t flinch at much—even a shrunken prisoner impaled to a dollhouse wall with a normal-sized pair of scissors through her sternum.

Hack / Slash Annual 2010: Murder Messiah – Review

By: Tim Seeley (writer), Jethro Morales (art), Mark Englert (colors) & Crank! (letters)

The Story: A proper introduction to the Hack/Slash universe (since the property moved to Image in Summer 2010) with two stories.  In one, Cassie Hack deals with a serial killer who it hitting close to home and in the future, we see a possible apocalyptic wasteland dominated by slashers.

What’s Good: Too much is made of “jumping on points” in modern comics.  The recently completed Hack/Slash: My First Maniac was such a jumping on point in that it didn’t make any demand that you had read any prior issues of Hack/Slash.  It was a LOT of fun, but at the same time, it probably didn’t do a whole lot for long-time Hack/Slash fans.    Well, this Murder Messiah Annual is not a classic “jumping on point”.  Mr. Seeley is flinging you right into the deep end of the pool and making you very aware that he’s already written 50+ issues in this universe.  If you haven’t read Hack/Slash before, you will understand a lot of what is going on, but you will also be a little confused.

Wait, why is this a good thing?  Well, don’t you hate it when you’ve been reading a title for 2-3 years and suddenly the creators decide they need to create a “new jumping on point” to make the series accessible for new readers?  When that happens, existing readers are forced to sit through a boring 6-issue arc that just chases its tail from a story point of view.  This stuff is why characters in mainstream superhero comics haven’t changed in 30+ years.  If this Annual represents the most Mr. Seeley is going to slow the car to allow folks to jump on, you know that you are not going to feel shat upon in 12 months when we have to have another “new jumping on point” (and again in 12 months after that).  So, don’t be a baby… Grab on and catch up as we go along or go find the back issues which are readily available in collected editions or digitally.

Hack/Slash #26 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Bryan Baugh (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

The Story: A slasher from Cassie’s and Vlad’s past is back. But the Mosaic Man’s return is actually a trap set by someone looking for revenge.

What’s Good: Hack/Slash #26 takes the series back to its roots in some ways. By having Cassie and Vlad track one of the killers that’s responsible for starting it all, Tim Seeley does a fine job of looking to the past while moving the series forward a bit. While the predictable Mosaic Man plot isn’t groundbreaking or anything, the latest issue of Hack/Slash mixes violence, sex, and humor in a way that makes the book a great choice for anyone looking for something outside of the usual superhero comic mold.

Writer and series co-creator Tim Seeley clearly has a love for everything that makes Hack/Slash work so well. The smart dialogue between Cassie and Vlad always has a perfect “buddy” vibe that makes the leading outcasts oddly endearing, and the fantasy near the opening and the humorous result of it effortlessly mixes the series’ signature dark sexuality and comedy together in a scene that, surprisingly, serves as a slice of character work as well (though it’s still a piece of gratuitous fan-service almost any way you look at it). As for the hunt for the killer, it’s punctuated by flashes of violence that could only really work in a comic that uses the horror genre as a foundation.

I’ve been a fan of Bryan Baugh’s work since he jumped on board the series with Hack/Slash #24. His style looks decidedly “indie” and a bit surreal at times, but it’s perfect for a series like Hack/Slash. With the help of Mark Englert’s moody, deep colors and some heavy inks, Baugh’s art captures everything it needs to. The violence features some disturbing details, the overall tone is heavy and dark, and the characters almost always look like they should (he especially nails the look for Cassie, the gothic pin-up, and Vlad the likable brute). In addition, Baugh gives his characters a nice bit of personality through their slightly exaggerated body language and facial expressions. It keeps them from feeling stiff or unrealistic.

What’s Not So Good: I understand the need to lay the groundwork for the future. I really do. But I can’t help but consider it a negative when Tim Seeley breaks the flow of Hack/Slash #26 with a random scene that’s going to have meaning later. It’s more pointless and distracting than it is interesting at the moment.

My biggest complaint about the artwork is that facial consistency is something of an issue. Some panels just look a bit weird when considering what a character looked like just a few panels before. Another annoyance is that faces tend to look a bit “samey” at times. It’s a fairly common comic book complaint, I know, but it’s something that has to be mentioned.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash #26 is a fun book that deserves to be given a look. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

Unwritten #4 – Review

By Mike Carey (Writer), Peter Gross (Art), and Chris Chuckry & Jeanne McGee (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Each issue of Unwritten has been intelligent and thought-provoking in a way that few comics are. Here’s to hoping that the trend continues…

The Story: Tom Taylor gains access to his father’s room while Pullman goes on a relatively calm, collected killing spree…

What’s Good: If you like horror movies, then Unwritten #4 is going to be a real treat for you. From the gruesome Tommy Taylor opening to the slasher movie gore, it cleverly comments on (and plays into/with) genre conventions in so many ways that I couldn’t help but have a big stupid grin on my face the whole time I was reading it. But that’s not all that’s good about Unwritten #4. What really makes the issue something special is how all the gore and clever dialogue works in service of a mystery that keeps getting more compelling as the series gets older.

As far as the technical stuff goes, the latest Unwritten basically stays the course. Is that a bad thing? Absolutely not! Peter Gross’ artwork effectively captures the horror flick vibe that runs through the entire issue. From the slick panel work to the lightning bolt framing that’s used, nearly everything looks great. As for the writing, Mike Carey’s work is as intelligent as ever. It’s clear that he “gets” horror and the line between a good genre convention and a bad one.

What’s Not So Good: This really isn’t a true problem, but I’m starting to miss the news clips, blogs, and commentaries that were sprinkled throughout the first few issues of Unwritten. Mike Carey handled them spectacularly and it made Unwritten really feel like nothing else on my pull list. One other thing worth mentioning is that a few panels just look a bit “off.” Either characters look a bit odd or the action comes across in a way that seems a bit unnatural (the scene with Pullman punching through glass comes to mind).

Conclusion: One of my favorite series having fun with my favorite genre?! Oh yeah, Unwritten #4 is good. Very Good.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

The Unwritten #3 – Review

by Mike Carey (writer), Peter Gross (artist), Chris Chuckry & Jeanne McGee (colors), and Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: Tom Taylor begins to explore his memories and unlock the secrets of his father’s villa, which also happens to be the location of Frankenstein‘s conception.

What’s Good: Though it’s by no means a comedy book, I did find that dialogue-wise, Carey turns up the humor in this issue.  Taylor has said the odd line in past issues, but this month I really think he’s put in his best deadpan performance yet.  In fact, both Tom and Lizzie are starting to sound like protagonists out of a Brian K. Vaughan comic, and that’s never a bad thing.  What I didn’t expect, however, was for scythe-wielding bad-guy Pullman to make me laugh, but he managed to do just that.

I also really enjoyed the intertextuality this month, paralleling Frankenstein to the comic itself; the idea of Tom Taylor as a possible parallel to Victor’s monster is intriguing and Peter Gross’ rendition of Shelley’s novel at the beginning of the issue does perfect justice to the Gothic masterpiece.  It provided a great framing structure to this issue.

Again, metafiction plays a heavy part this month as a writer’s workshop of horror authors debate the nature of their genre. What ensues is humourous and accurate of the sort of scuffling that goes on in genre fiction and horror fans will no doubt have a blast. It’s great fun and Carey is clearly poking at some of his fellow writers.

Finally, it’s great to see Carey really rounding out the personality of his characters for another month.  After reading this issue, Lizzie only intrigues me all the more, while Tom’s memories only make him feel all the more human. With every passing issue, we feel a little closer to the characters just as we feel a little closer to the mystery. It’s still all cast in shadows, but we learn just enough to tantalize us for next month.  At the very least, a murderous Pullma guarantees action next month.

Meanwhile, I swear that Gross’ art is getting better with every issue.  I enjoyed it even more this month, as Gross seems to go for a “simpler is better” approach without ever feeling rushed, sloppy, or lacking.

What’s Not So Good: A minor quibble is Lizzie’s manner of dress.  I’m starting to wonder if she’s going to become a sufferer of “shrinking clothes” syndrome.  It’s all the more jarring due to the conservative dress of all of the other characters, as well as Lizzie’s own personality/character, which doesn’t exactly say “sex bomb.”  I’m not sure what Gross is after here.

Impatient readers may also be a bit frustrated that nothing is revealed this month in Tom’s explorations of the villa.  Even the sought-after maid isn’t questioned yet.  Pages of unintelligible, “overheard” dialogue return once more, this time from Tom’s dad. Although it’ll make sense once we find out the truth, it’s still a bit irritating at the moment, especially given that Carey has already done this to us before.

Conclusion: Carey and Gross go three for three in the best new series of 2009.

Grade: B+

-Alex Evans

The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft #1 – Review

By Mac Carter (Story), Tony Salmons (Pencils & Inks), and Adam Byrne (Colors)

The Story: Writer H.P. Lovecraft has got a bad case of heartache and a worse case of writer’s block. Odd for a man who’s mind is loaded all sorts of macabre things. But a string of events changes things and soon Lovecraft is thinking about his masterwork…

What’s Good: Mac Carter does a wonderful job creating just the right tone for a story about the life of the famous horror author. The dialogue effectively captures the liveliness of the 1920’s (as does most of the stylized artwork), while Lovecraft’s inner monologues manage to be melancholy, sinister, and frustrated all at the same time. Carter makes you feel for the brooding writer, doing a really impressive job of writing the monologues in a way that reflects the style of Lovecraft’s works.

The story itself is off to a good start, though it’s a bit too early to tell whether things will successfully and satisfyingly play out in only four issues. Enough happens in chapter one to hook the reader, but it’s mostly all set up. That said, it’s some pretty solid set up.

What’s Not So Good: The artwork by Tony Salmons and Adam Byrne is really hit or miss throughout the book. And it proves to be frustrating because when the visuals work, they work really well. For every few scenes that do an admirable job of capturing the story and the setting, there is one that looks off in some way. Either the coloring is far too dark and muddy or the action is delivered in a confusing manner.

Conclusion: The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft is off to a promising start. The writing delivers in a big way and, if the visuals can do an effective job of playing catch up, I think the mini-series could deliver in a big way. I recommend it for fans of the author and fans of supernatural stories in general.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #21 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Emily Stone (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I’ve made no secret about the fact that I’m quite a fan of the Hack/Slash formula. It successfully blends a variety of genres into one extremely satisfying product. One part bloody horror story, one part buddy action comedy, one part grounded drama, and one part supernatural thriller, Hack/Slash somehow manages to work on nearly every level. While the series has hit a few bumps here and there, it always keeps me coming back for more because the basic concept is just so much fun. Simply put, you should be reading Hack/Slash.

The Story: The latest chapter of Hack/Slash sees Cassie’s past catching up with her in a big way. Longtime fans will either love or loathe the surprise returns in one of the more oddball issues of the series. Let me just say that it features one of the more interesting uses of an old lady in a comic book. Yep…

What’s Good: Story-wise, Hack/Slash #21 scores more points with me for what it sets up than for what actually happens. Though that’s not to say it isn’t a fun and entertaining issue. In fact, it might actually be one of the funniest comics I’ve read in quite some time. The bits with the elderly lady, Muffy, are so ridiculous that you can’t help but laugh. Cassie and Vlad even get in on it with some great character moments both humorous and, at times, poignant. Good work Mr. Seeley.

Also worth mentioning is the art team of Emily Stone and Mark Englert. They provide solid visuals throughout the book, with a few extremely stand-out moments. I’ve been a bit hard on Emily Stone in the past (mostly regarding facial consistency and the occasionally sketchy panel), but Hack/Slash #21 features some of her best work. And that work is complimented well by Mark Englert’s effective, quality coloring.

What’s Not So Good: A lot of your enjoyment of the latest Hack/Slash arc will probably rest on what you think of the returning characters. I can easily imagine at least one of them annoying or irritating people, so I can easily imagine his (or her?!) return falling flat. Personally, I think introducing new characters might have been more interesting, but I’m not exactly against how things now stand.

Another not so good thing is that some of Stone’s pencils tend to look a bit sketchy and rough at times. While it doesn’t really distract from the otherwise nice visuals, an extra layer of polish would have helped. I say that especially because Hack/Slash is extremely close to being a consistently good to great looking series as Stone’s solid work continues to improve.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash #21 is a surprisingly funny installment to an extremely entertaining series. While some may find themselves a bit irked by the returns, I believe most will be forgiven by the time they hit the cliffhanger of an ending. I look forward to seeing where Tim Seeley and his creative team take things from this point on.

Grade:  B

-Kyle Posluszny

Dead Irons #1 – Review

By James Kuhoric (writer), Jason Shawn Alexander (artist), Jae Lee (cover artist & character design)

The Story: What is the story?  I’ve read this issue twice now and can safely say that it does little more than barely introduce the Irons siblings, supernatural bounty hunters in the Old West who are just as happy killing the townsfolk they encounter in their travels as they are the bounties they pursue.

The Good: Jae Lee’s cover is wonderfully morbid and evocative, and I’m sorry to say it totally sold me on the issue in the first place.  Alexander’s art is clearly influenced by Lee’s, who also serves as Art Director for the title, and is heavily saturated in scratchy inks and shadows.  It’s a great style for this kind of story though, and one of this issue’s few redeeming qualities.

The Not So Good: Kuhoric’s script here is a confused mess of disconnected scenes that suggest the idea of a story without actually telling one.  The dialogue is a melodramatic nightmare that had me groaning as hard as I was laughing.  For example, take this passage from the first page: “Pain.  It’s the only thing in this world you can count on.  We’re born in pain.  Suffer with it every day on this land.  And die in it.  If we’re lucky, the pain leading us to death is brief and not an extended agony.”  What!?  Who talks like that?  Hard to say, as Kuhoric never even introduces his characters.  The whole issue is full of these moments, and while I’m sure Kuhoric is taking his story quite seriously, it’s that same emo streak that comes off looking ridiculous.

Conclusion: A moody, pretentious first issue that goes to great lengths to convince you how dark and serious it’s going to be, but forgets to be entertaining in the process.  You don’t need this.

Grade:  D

-Tony Rakittke

Mesmo Delivery – Review

By Rafael Grampa (Writer & Artist) and Marcus Penna (Colorist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: I decided to pick up Mesmo Delivery after seeing the slick looking preview pages and hearing nothing but good things about the book for the past month or so. So is Rafael Grampa’s first solo work a true indie gem or is it a victim of the dreaded hype machine? Read on to find out.

The Story: Mesmo Delivery follows two men, a burly truck driver and a company hand, as they make their way through a rural town to deliver a package to its intended destination. The only company rule is that the back of the truck must remain closed so that the package cannot be seen by the driver or anyone else. As you might have guessed, things don’t exactly go smoothly. Rufo, the truck driver, finds himself in way over his head upon accepting a bet with a local and soon all hell breaks loose in two very different ways.

What’s Good: Part mystery, part thriller, and part gory action-horror story, Mesmo is one trippy trucker tale. It easily overcomes a few generic plot points by providing a mystery laced with a number of unexpected twists and buckets of well-executed gore. Trust me when I say that, in both style and execution, you haven’t seen anything quite like Mesmo Delivery.

Rafael Grampa’s kinetic, well-choreographed visuals offer a unique mixture of meticulous detail, the surreal, and disturbing hyper-violence. As strange as that may sound, the style proves to be a perfect fit for a story that definitely takes a few readings to fully appreciate. By revealing some, but not all of the necessary information, Grampa manages to transform a fairly basic trucker tale into something incredibly compelling.

What’s Not So Good: Simply put, Mesmo Delivery is not a book for everyone. The insanely graphic violence and a few odd shots featuring the female anatomy keep it strictly for a more mature audience. In addition, I can easily imagine more than a few readers being frustrated by the obtuse story and the lack of any concrete resolution, especially for a comic that goes for around twelve bucks.

Conclusion: While it is almost certain to be one of the most divisive releases of the year, there is no denying how impressive the presentation and artistic execution displayed in Mesmo Delivery. Personally, I found the book to be an imaginative, cinematic mix of genres that worked on a number of levels. As such, I highly recommend it to mature readers looking for something quite a bit different from the usual Marvel or DC fare.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #18 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Emily Stone & Kevin Mellon (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: The recently completed Re-Animator crossover left me itching for a stand alone, one-and-done Hack/Slash story about Cassie and Vlad taking care of some random slasher. Unfortunately, it looks like I may have to wait at least a little while for something like that. Why? Well, for starters, there is some serious character work to be done in the aftermath of the crossover. In addition, a few overarching plot threads are in serious need of some advancement. Luckily, it looks like Hack/Slash #18 is going to start dealing with those very issues so that the series can get back to what it does best sooner rather than later.

The Story: Picking up shortly after the traumatic events that involved Dr. Herbert West, the latest Hack/Slash finds Cassie and Vlad at a crossroad of sorts. Both characters question the status of their relationship and how they exist in the world in general. Vlad takes his questions to the bar where he finds himself facing off against a plethora of guest stars. Cassie, thanks to Vlad, spends some quality time with her lady-friend Georgia. Meanwhile, the demon from another dimension introduced last issue on a rampage in search of Cassie and the dog-like alien currently living with Cassie’s friends.

What’s Good: Tim Seeley’s character work for both Cassie and Vlad is incredibly effective considering how easily it could have come off as forced or overly dramatic. It’s next to impossible not to feel for the characters in some way, especially considering what went down over the past few months. As for the visuals, the best thing in the issue is Vlad’s brawl with a number of familiar comic characters. It’s a fun, well-choreographed surprise among all the weighty themes.

What’s Not So Good: The whole alien dog storyline just doesn’t do it for me as a whole. It has been going on for a while now and to this very day, it still seems out of place in a series so heavily based around the things that make the horror genre so fun. Hopefully the arrival of the demon-warrior thing signals the beginning of the end for that particular plot thread, because it feels like it just gets in the way of the good stuff.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash #18 is very good when dealing with Cassie and Vlad. On the other hand, it definitely loses a bit of momentum anytime anything else takes the spotlight. That said, the good most definitely outweighs the bad in what ultimately amounts to a strong, character-driven issue of an entertaining series.

Grade: B

-Kyle Posluszny

Welcome to Hoxford #4 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Creator, Writer, Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Welcome to Hoxford has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Gory and disturbing, yet driven by an extremely compelling anti-hero, Ben Templesmith’s latest has definitely satisfied the horror fan within me far more than I ever expected. I can’t wait to see what happens to Raymond and the inmates next.

The Story: It’s Raymond Delgado and the few remaining survivors against a pack of ancient beasts in the blood, action-packed conclusion of Welcome to Hoxford.

What’s Good: Since the final chapter of the series is so focused on the mayhem caused by the clash between man and beast-men, there really isn’t a whole lot to it. The set-up called for action and now it’s delivered. That said, there are a few surprises regarding the nature between the hunters and the hunted as the story makes its way to a satisfying, brutal finish.

What’s Not So Good: As much as I enjoy Templesmith’s stylish artwork, it really doesn’t work that well during scenes heavy on action. And there is a lot of action in this one. The heavy use of gore and dark coloring makes the events more muddled and confusing than gruesome. Templesmith’s art style fits the book well, but a little clarity and direction would have gone a long way.

Conclusion: Welcome to Hoxford #4 is a visceral, slightly disappointing, conclusion to a well executed horror story. While the artwork leaves a bit to be desired while all the action is taking place, it shouldn’t deter anyone interested from giving the series a shot. There is a lot to like about a visit to Hoxford.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1 (of 6) – Review

By Gerard Way (story), Gabriel Ba (art), Dave Stewart (colors)

The Story: Picking up some time after the conclusion of the first mini-series, this new story looks in on the Hargreeves clan to see what they’ve been up to since successfully averting the apocalypse.  Each member has gone their separate way, with some like Spaceboy content to sit around the house watching TV and eating cookies, and others like the Seance growing quite fond of their newfound celebrity.  Number 5 has other things to worry about though, as he is assaulted by a legion of masked commandos called the Temps Aeternalis, an organization that he may have worked for while lost in time.

The Good: How about the fact that we’re finally getting more Umbrella Academy?  This title has proven to be one of the most imaginative, delightfully unusual stories I’ve read in a long time.  From the flashback scene of the children’s fight with the Lincoln Monument to the final battle between Number 5 and the Temps Aeternalis commandos, this series is brimming with mad, wonderful ideas.  There is a great energy in Ba’s art that captures both the quiet and dramatic moments with ease when it’s brought to life by Dave Stewart’s crisp palette of colors.

The Not So Good: My only complaint was that this was a necessarily slow issue, intended to take a moment’s rest from the battle before throwing the members of the Academy back into the middle of the new conflict.  I’m okay with that, provided we see more action and plot in subsequent issues.

Conclusion: Stories like The Umbrella Academy are why I read comics.  Visually splendid and bursting with crazy, inventive energy, this book will reward readers with ideas and images they’ve never seen before.  I can’t wait to see where Way and Ba go from here!

Grade: B+

-Tony Rakittke

Spooks: Omega Team #3 – Review

By Ryan Schifrin (Creator), Larry Hama (Writer), Adam Archer (Pencils), and Tony Avina (Colors)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: This series has been really hit or miss so far. It has some good, fun ideas and a nice action-horror vibe, but it has yet to come together in a successful way. Maybe things will start to pick up as the opening arc makes it’s way toward a conclusion.

The Story: The SPOOKS team, in pursuit of Lilithu, heads to Romania in an attempt to bring the ancient demon’s quest for power to an end. Once there, the SPOOKS fight some obsessed cultists, exchange witty banter, cause lots of destruction, and inch closer to their target. In other words, the newest issue of SPOOKS: Omega Team is a lot like the first few.

What’s Good: That this book gives you more of the same. If you like what the series has offered up so far, then you will almost certainly enjoy this issue as well. The action is mostly well done, the banter is somewhat amusing, and the gore doesn’t disappoint.

What’s Not So Good: That this book gives you more of the same. Simply put, this series is already dangerously close to becoming utterly forgettable. The action is starting to feel tired, reading the banter is almost a painful experience at times, and the characters lack the substance necessary to make for a memorable monster fighting team.

Conclusion: SPOOKS: Omega Team #3 will prove to be either a deal maker or a deal breaker. More of the same may work for some people, but this reviewer was hoping for much more from the series at this point. It’s disappointing to see something with so much potential become boring so quickly.

Grade: C-

-Kyle Posluszny

Bernie Wrightson’s Frankenstein – Review

By Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (story), Bernie Wrightson (art)

The Story: Originally published as a graphic novel by Marvel Comics in 1983, this stunning combination of Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiece and Wrightson’s acclaimed art celebrates its 25th anniversary with an oversized, hardcover edition from Dark Horse Comics. The story itself is a classic and well known to all, recounting Victor Frankenstein’s obsessive quest to reanimate life and construct a new man from the pieces of corpses obtained from graveyards. With no consideration for the ramifications of the events he’s set in motion, Victor brings his experiment to life, but at a terrible cost.

The Good? The production value that went into this book is outstanding. Similar in appearance and style to Dark Horse’s equally excellent Hellboy hardcover editions, this book is published in a larger format to better showcase the full forty-seven pages of illustrations Wrightson created. Presented in black and white, Wrightson’s work serves as beautiful, haunting reminders of why he is one of the most powerful artists in the industry.

The Not So Good? While the production value on this book is well worth a look, its $30 price tag may have you reconsidering; especially when you can find the story for free online and download it off iTunes for 99 cents. If you’ve ever had trouble deciding whether or not to double dip on a DVD you own in order to upgrade to a better edition, you’ll have that problem here.

Conclusion: If you can justify spending the extra money for a story you may already own, this is an absolutely gorgeous hardcover to have on your bookshelf. Not to be missed!

Grade: A-

-Tony Rakittke

Hack/Slash #16 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Script & Story), Barry Keating (Story), Emily Stone (Art), and Matt Englert (Colors)

The Story: Cassie Hack finally gets a chance to speak with her long lost father face-to-face. Meanwhile, Dr. Herbert West (of Re-Animator fame) continues his experimentation with the body of the Lunch Lady, Cassie’s slasher mother.

What’s Good: Hack/Slash, as a series is at its best when dealing with what made the series a hit in the first place, namely slashers. I mention it because Hack/Slash #16 is definitely at its best when slashers figure into the dialogue or action. Tim Seeley and Barry Keating bring an interesting twist to the slasher formula by attempting to break down their very nature through the discussion between Cassie and her father concerning Mr. Hack’s former line of work.With the well-written guest appearance by Dr. West (I can almost hear Jeffrey Combs speaking his lines), this book serves as a very satisfying read for any horror fan.

What’s Not So Good: The fact that the issue as a whole is extremely hit or miss. The artwork suffers from a few odd angles and the same facial inconsistency that continues to plague the series. I enjoy Emily Stone’s work for the most part, but the same type of artwork snags continue to pop up. On the writing end, my biggest complaint is that Cassie’s reunion with her father falls a bit flat. It feels both rushed and incredibly generic, making it fall a bit short of packing the emotional punch needed to make it resonate with readers.

Conclusion: I was hoping for a bit more from this crossover as a whole, but I have to give credit for how well it is succeeding in advancing the overall plot of the series in a natural manner. There is some good stuff in this issue, and it only looks to get better. I just wish Dr. West functioned as more than just a plot device.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny

Hellboy: In The Chapel of Moloch – Review

By Mike Mignola (Story & Art) and Dave Stewart (Colors)

The Story: Mike Mignola returns to the series he created with this creepy one-shot. In it, Hellboy investigates a chapel in Portugal that seems to be causing the strange behavior of an up-and-coming artist. As it turns out, the chapel has quite a dark history and ties to the Middle-Eastern god-monster, Moloch.

What’s Good: Pretty much everything. You really can’t ask for a whole lot more from a one-shot that proves to be as satisfying as this one. Long story short, Mike Mignola’s return to the Hellboy series manages to live up to all expectations. The atmospheric visuals and creepy, intelligent story make this one-shot one of the best reads of a very good month.

What’s Not So Good: Consider this a minor complaint, but it is worth noting that some of the action is a bit confusing due to the stylish nature of the artwork and the dark color palette used. At worst it is slightly distracting and really only an issue in a few panels.

Conclusion: Hellboy: In the Chapel of Moloch is quite simply, a great comic. I highly recommend it to fans of all types. Whether a new reader just looking for a good story, a casual fan, or a hardcore Hellboy follower, I can almost guarantee that you will find this one well worth the cash.

Grade: A

-Kyle Posluszny

A Second Opinion

Mike Mignola never ceases to amaze me. I think his use of mythology– and more importantly different mythologies, is what makes his stories unique. A lot of writers will pull from the bible, or something else mainstream. How many writers will pull Moloch outta the hat? Part of the reason he’s able to do that is the character of Hellboy and the world he’s created. I do agree with Kyle that parts of the book are hard to follow because of the art style. At the same time most of the people who read Hellboy expect this style and are prepared. Hellboy’s had some really good one-shots and mini-series lately. This book is no exception. Like those other stories, my only problem is that it ends. This is an excellent comic, with great appeal for new and old fans alike.

Grade: A

-Ben Berger

Welcome to Hoxford #3 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Writer and Artist)

The Story: With vicious creatures on the hunt throughout the halls of Hoxford, insane inmate Raymond Delgado fights back. It’s ancient evil versus human evil in a clash that proves just how twisted things can get when two very different types of darkness collide.

What’s Good: This series just keeps getting better and better. Ben Templesmith creates a stylish horror story that creates a conflicting response within the reader in a spectacular fashion. You can’t help but root for Raymond Delgado, the anti-hero of the story, despite the fact that he is pretty much the worst that humanity has to offer. He is a perfect match for the horrors (and inmates) of Hoxford and the only one capable of fully grasping the situation at hand. It makes for one compelling, haunting read.

I also must mention that the other inmates in the cast provide some truly disturbing moments as well. While spoiling anything would ruin some of the more fun moments in the book, let me just say that there are scenes that are definitely not for the squeamish. Templesmith goes out his way to make sure that you don’t forget what type of people are committed to Hoxford and it works to great effect.

What’s Not So Good: As much as I enjoy Templesmith’s visual style, it creates a bit of confusion in this issue since it is so heavy on action. With the unique color palette and copious amounts of gore, sometimes it is difficult to tell exactly what’s happened during some of the more intense scenes. It is obvious bad things are happening, but I wish it was more clear about what bad things are happening. A minor complaint, but worth mentioning regardless.

Conclusion: After a somewhat shaky start, Welcome to Hoxford is quickly becoming one of my favorite stories of year. I highly recommend this one to all horror fans.

Grade: A-

-Kyle Posluszny

Spooks: Omega Team #2

By Ryan Schifrin (Creator), Larry Hama (Writer), Adam Archer (Pencils & Colors), and Nick Bell (Colors)

The Story: The Spooks team follows the trail of the demon queen, Lilithu, all the way to Istanbul and comes face to face with another powerful demon, the Lord of the Flies. Action, violence, and witty remarks rule the day as the team tries to stop two ancient entities from regaining power.

What’s Good: Spooks succeeds almost entirely on concept alone. I say this because it’s difficult to criticize something that I’m having so much fun with. Despite some very obvious flaws (which I will get to in a moment), this book is everything an action-horror comic should be.

The action is fast-paced, the violence delivers for gore-hounds, and good use is made of some very old source material. Definitely a fun read for fans of the genre.

What’s Not So Good: This series seems to be suffering from an identity crisis. The team gives off an almost buddy-comedy vibe, yet the myths and artwork are straight-up horror. I have no problem with mixing genres, but Spooks seems to be lacking the balance needed to pull that off.

The team interaction comes off as silly more often then not, yet some of the images and scenarios are downright nightmarish. Instead of blending these elements into something special, they clash in an uncomfortable fashion.

Conclusion: This series is a lot of fun and is built off of a great concept. That said, it definitely has a few growing pains to work through. Fans of action or horror will eat this up, but I doubt it will create any converts.

Grade: B-

-Kyle Posluszny

Welcome to Hoxford #2 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Writer and Artist)

I had somewhat mixed feelings about the debut of this new Ben Templesmith series, but I just couldn’t resist another look at the deranged inmates residing in the twisted Hoxford Reform Facility. And after reading this issue, but am I glad that I did.

While the bulk of the first issue was spent establishing characters and Hoxford itself, the second wastes no time creating a focal point between inmate Raymond Delgado and Doctor Ainley and a conflict between ancient evil with a taste for human flesh. The premise is the darkest that humanity has to offer finds himself face to face with the darkest that history has to offer. And you know what? It works far better than I had expected. While I am not entirely sure how long you can really go with such a fairly limited concept, I am more than willing to go along for the ride.

Ben Templesmith is really impressing me with his work on this series. Raymond Delgado is an incredibly compelling (and completely insane) anti-hero that really wouldn’t work unless the setting, atmosphere, and concept was just right… and it is. Simply put, I don’t think he could work in any other environment or storyline, and that alone makes him unique and interesting enough to warrant following. Delgado’s reality (and Hoxford in general) is dark, dreary, and disturbingly violent – a fact that is reinforced by some incredibly gritty and surreal visuals. From a creative standpoint, everything just comes together extremely well.

I really don’t have anything truly negative to say about Welcome to Hoxford at this point, but feel that it really is being written for a specific type of audience. I can’t (in good conscience) make a sweeping recommendation, but those into the horror genre or the concept of the anti-hero really must give this one a try. (Grade: B+)

-Kyle Posluszny

The Stand: Captain Trips #1 – Review

By Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (writer), Mike Perkins (art), Laura Martin (colors)

I tried numerous times to read this novel as a kid, but it was just too dense for me. When the mini-series came on TV I completely forgot to watch it. So there was definitely some enthusiasm going into this book. I don’t know much of the story, only its basic premise: There’s a viral outbreak in America and The Stand is about those who survive the plague. I’m a fan of survival horror stories and this debut issue wasted no time in getting me involved with the characters and their soon to be post-apocalyptic future.

I can’t say how faithful this is to the novel, but being a first time reader, myself, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa impressed me with his ability to introduce to an ensemble cast, quickly set the tone, and pace the spread of the of the virus. What I could have done without, however, are the character profiles at the end of the book. Seeing these instantly told me that these characters would most likely be survivors. For new readers like me this serves nothing more than to spoil the story. Bad call, Marvel.

Mike Perkins carries over the fantastic style he delivered in Captain America to The Stand. His work here is much more grounded in reality. In fact it may be too grounded in reality – there’s a few scenes that look a little too photo referenced for their own good. But all in all, this is a beautiful book that’s further accented by Laura Martin’s brilliant coloring. Unlike The Dark Tower series that Marvel’s been putting out The Stand needs no prior reading. And for that, I highly recommend it to just about anyone looking to dip their feet into Stephen King’s world. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes