Spooks: Omega Team #1 – Review

Ryan Schifrin (Creator), Larry Hama (Writer), Tim Seeley (Pencils), and Nick Bell (Colors)

I enjoyed the introductory Spooks mini-series quite a bit. While a little over-the-top at times and inconsistent visually, it accomplished the goal of doing enough things right to make me interested in what an ongoing Spooks series would have to offer. Turns out, it has quite a bit to offer as long as you don’t take it too seriously.

The Omega Team is an elite military unit specifically tuned to deal with supernatural, off the record threats. In this case, the target is Lilithu, queen of the night and she has done something to both U.S. rangers and members of the Iraqi Royal Guard. While I don’t want to spoil anything here, let me just say that the discovery of what exactly happened to the missing people leads to lots of action, some (borderline corny) humorous dialogue, and plot developments that lead me to believe this debut storyline won’t wrap up for at least a few more issues. The thing that strikes me the most about Omega Team is that it clearly isn’t taking things too seriously and that “summer blockbuster” vibe keeps me from being too critical at this point in the game.

The biggest compliment I can give Larry Hama and his art team is noticing that they definitely have a vision for what type of book Omega Team is going to be. While it doesn’t look as though it will rise above “monster of the month” level of storytelling anytime soon, that doesn’t make things any less enjoyable. The action is clever, the visuals are quite attractive, and the characters could turn out to be fairly unique (though Bettina definitely looks like a buff version of Cassie Hack, another Seeley project). Eventually, this series is going to have to aim a bit higher if it hopes to avoid getting stale, but for the time being it’s best to just strap in and enjoy the ride. (Grade: B)

-Kyle Posluszny

Sub-Mariner: The Depths #1 – Review

By Peter Milligan (Writer) and Esad Ribic (Artist)

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect heading into this Marvel Knights mini-series and after reading the first issue I still don’t. My confusion stems from two main things: the exposition heavy nature and the incredibly unique (horror-like) tone.

The story begins by introducing Marlowe and Dr. Rudolph Stein, two very different men whose paths in life looked to be intertwined by the mystery surrounding the mythic city of Atlantis. Marlowe, seemingly on the brink of insanity in the opening pages believes that Atlantis exists and has driven himself to the very extreme in order to find it. Dr. Stein, known worldwide as “The Great Debunker,” is a man of science hired to find the missing Marlowe and, if possible, Atlantis. The set-up is extremely weighty and well done, but by the time things really get rolling (with creepy dialogue about the deep and the Sub-Mariner), the issue comes to an end. I look forward to what is coming next and hope that subsequent chapters can keep up the eerie tone.

The writing by Peter Milligan and the artwork by Esad Ribic really come together to make Sub-Mariner: The Depths something of a complete package. Milligan’s story carries a historical weight that fits the realistic nature of the book and Ribic’s extremely impressive, cinematic artwork makes a good read even better. My only worry is that the high quality of the artwork may begin to suffer as deadlines for the series approach – which would be a shame considering how this could turn out to be one of the best looking comics to come out in quite some time. To be honest, I think it would look more at home as a Radical series than a Marvel one.

Overall, I really enjoyed the first chapter of this unique Namor story. Good writing and great artwork come together to make for a compelling book, but I can’t shake the feeling that this one might end up working better as a trade. My recommendation? Check out this first issue and see if it’s something you would rather read all at once or as a monthly series. (Grade: B)

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #15 – Review

By Tim Seeley, Barry Keating, & Brian Yuzna (Story), Emily Stone (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

I was sold on the Hack/Slash Vs. Re-Animator crossover the moment it was announced. Two of my favorite comic characters against an 80’s horror icon? Sign me up! Now, the fanboy in me loves that the tone, use of continuity, and characterization are spot on. The critic in me is forced to acknowledge the slow burn storytelling, disappointing artwork, and the sense (so far) that Dr. West seems to exist more as a storytelling device than the classic character he is.

The storyline for this crossover arc is, surprisingly, quite continuity heavy. It mostly revolves around clearing up the mystery surrounding Cassie’s father (going by the clever alias of Gordon Stuart) as he assists in Dr. Herbert West’s quest to “cure” death. Cassie and Vlad play a fairly minor role in the issue as their scenes mostly center around the search for Mr. Hack. It is a slow and fairly uneventful issue, but it works rather well putting the plot pieces in place. I can’t help but wish that the story wasn’t so steeped in continuity though. While Dr. West’s appearance feels shockingly natural given both Hack/Slash and The Re-Animator storylines, I wish he had gotten some chance to interact with the main characters. At least for this one issue, he feels more like a (well written) plot device than a villain. I hope there is some sort of confrontation before this is all over or else the Herbert West appearance will have been wasted.

I can’t stress enough how well written Dr. West is. Tim Seeley absolutely nails the character and manages to fit him into the Hack/Slash world in an incredibly smooth manner. As for the rest, it’s standard Seeley stuff. He writes a well told story, good character interactions, and clever in-jokes.

Emily Stone’s artwork is solid though somewhat underwhelming. Everything has a somewhat sketchy look to it and the coloring does nothing to hide it. While I generally enjoy her style, I just don’t feel that it fits the story well this time out. Still, as a whole, it’s a book that presents well.

Hack Slash #15 is a solid start to what I hope will turn into a great story. The necessary background is given, the pieces are moved into place, and the guest-star is (for the most part) used quite well. While not quite as strong as I was expecting, it holds loads of potential. Hack/Slash and horror fans in general should make sure to give this one a look. (Grade: B-)

-Kyle Posluszny

Welcome To Hoxford #1 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Writer, Artist)

How do you go about reviewing something that seems to be dark and disturbing just because it can be? While I am sure that there is something that resembles an actual story brewing underneath all the gore and language – I can’t possibly imagine what that might be. So far, Welcome To Hoxford is the type of horror that gives the genre a bad name. Most of the characters are extremely violent, mentally unstable convicts. The (heavily stylized) gore is fairly excessive, and there really isn’t anything resembling a narrative arc outside of finding out what exactly is going on at the Hoxford facility. With all that said, however, I have to admit that enjoyed my walk on the dark side quite a bit. Maybe it’s just the horror hound within me, but there is something noteworthy about Mr. Templesmith’s uncomfortable vision of an asylum with the potential to become more infamous than Arkham.

Welcome To Hoxford tells the story of the newest batch of inmates to be transferred to the privately owned Hoxford prison/rehabilitation facility. Each one is given a bit of background, though things seem to be focused most on Ray Delgado, the most disturbed of the bunch. You see, Ray has a “virtual encyclopedia of conditions” and throughout the story we are given brief glimpses into his shattered mind. While not exactly the hero type, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that he emerges as the main vehicle for whatever twisted plot emerges. There are things brewing inside the walls of Hoxford, but whether or not it will lead to a compelling tale remains to be seen.

Ben Templesmith handles nearly all aspects of this book and I believe things are much better off because of it. There is a clear, consistent tone to the writing and artwork that brings Hoxford’s gritty world to life. While the characters are horrible and vulgar, they are believable representations of the dregs of society and written in such a way as to greatly add to the atmosphere created by the unique artwork. The artwork carries a density that can’t be ignored thanks to a striking color palette that varies with each major scene change. Also worth noting is the way Templesmith uses reds to make each scene of violence look memorably artistic.

There are really two ways one can look at a book like Welcome To Hoxford. On one hand it can be considered a shallow, empty, and, ultimately, unnecessary addition to the horror genre because there seems to be limited storytelling potential. On the other hand, one can dive into the thick atmosphere and unsavory characters because, to my knowledge, there aren’t many books like this available. Templesmith is a proven storyteller so, for the time being, I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and enjoy Welcome To Hoxford for what it is (instead of worrying about what it might be). (Grade: B)

-Kyle Posluszny

Hack/Slash #14 – Review

By Tim Seeley, (Writer) Emily Stone, (Artist) and Val Staples (Colors)

I don’t think I am making too much of a leap when I say that nearly everyone reading this site has, at one point, gotten pissed off at the constant stream of remakes coming out of Hollywood. It seems as though nothing is sacred anymore. I honestly believe that horror fans have gotten the worst of it as rarely is there a day that goes by without news of another remake going into production.

The latest issue of Hack/Slash tackles the remake craze in a way that only Hack/Slash can: by serving up dark humor and loads of gore on the set of a Wizard of Oz remake that’s being directed by the guy who did “Epic Movie 2 and 4 Fast 4 Furious” (Yeah…Tim Seeley gets it). While this one scores big points on concept alone, it isn’t as strong as it could be. There is a lot of potential for gory fun (darkly comic murders inspired by Oz? Sign me up!), but much of it goes unrealized because everything happens way too fast due to the inclusion of odd breaks in the story. I understand the need to advance the three overall series arcs, but it comes across as tacked on when they have next to nothing to do with what the bulk of the issue is about. This one is good, but nearly as great as it could have been.

Tim Seeley serves up some great humor and brings some interesting elements into the series that should play out well in future issues. While I disagree with the way he used this issue to bring those elements into play, I must admit that I am looking forward to the direction the overall plot is taking. In particular, next month looks to be one hell of a ride (80s horror fans are in for a treat).

Emily Stone’s artwork is solid (as usual), but marred by some questionable color work by Val Staples. While the majority of the book looks just fine visually, the gore scenes are hit or miss due to the strange use of pinks and purples for most of the blood. I am able to forgive Staples somewhat though, because a certain scientific serum looks absolutely perfect.

Hack/Slash #14 is a lot of fun, but could have been better. It scores points for concept, comedy, and future plot potential, but not many as were up for grabs. I expect big things next month, so I hope this one makes good on all the promise it holds. (Grade: C+)

-Kyle Posluszny

Crossed #0 – Capsule Review

By Garth Ennis (writer), Jacen Burrows (art), Greg Waller (colors)

Other than Wolfskin, I haven’t read any other books from Avatar Press. But priced at only $1.00, I had to give Garth Ennis’ Crossed a try. Now, if you know who Garth Ennis is you shouldn’t be surprised when your senses are assaulted with a morbid amount of violence and strange happenings. Having read Ennis’ offerings on Preacher, The Boys, and The Punisher, I thought I’d be prepared with what was to come my way. Boy, was I wrong. In fact, this book is just wrong.

Maybe I was too softened by making my last Ennis reading the one of Dan Dare – a book that’s sophisticated, perfectly scripted, and oddly tame (when compared to the usual Ennis fare).  Either way, the visuals here are nightmarish and the story will make your hands weak. I’m not sure if I’ll be back for another issue, but if I do come back it’s only because I’m a glutton for punishment (or my curiosity will get the best of me). If you’re thinking of giving Crossed a try, consider yourself warned. I know a dollar comic is awfully enticing, but do tread lightly. (Grade: B)

– J. Montes

Moon Knight #20 – Review

By Mike Benson (Writer), Mike Deodato Jr. (Artist), and Rain Beredo (Colorist)

This book is actually good. I certainly didn’t expect it to be. Let’s face it, Moon Knight is a B-lister. He’s always been a rip-off of Batman, and he always will be, except when he’s ripping off Daredevil. And he’s always been a bit of a disappointment. Even at their best, Moon Knight stories only disguise mediocre plots with beautiful art by Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Finch, or in this case, Mike Deodato. (And make no mistake, the art here is great.)

The story this time is sort of a return to Moon Knight’s roots, squaring him up against the Werewolf by Night. Jack Russell (yes, that’s the Werewolf’s real name…yes, like the terrier…) has been kidnapped by some shady characters who keep taking samples of his blood. Without giving too much away, a serum is created from his blood that has something to do with mutilated corpses found around the city, as well as a form of entertainment that takes the concept of “Ultimate Fighting” to a whole new level. Naturally, it’s up to Moon Knight to figure out what’s going on before more people are killed, and wouldn’t you know it there’s a full moon coming up, so the next event is going to be extra-special…

The plot doesn’t make perfect sense (after all the detective work, Moon Knight’s cabbie personality just happens to pick up two guys that just happen to be going the place Moon Knight needs to go?), and it’s full of clichés (the superhero scares confession out of the stoolie, the cynical, chain-smoking detective gives him a hand, etc.), but the mood is perfect and the dialogue is clever (like when the detective keeps referring to “wild dogs” instead of werewolves because he has to “report to a NYPD shrink couple times a year.”)

So will this be the issue that turns things around for Moon Knight? I doubt it. No matter how well he’s written, he’s still a derivative character with a dull supporting cast and a lousy rogues gallery. But this issue, at least, is worth picking up. (Grade: B+)

– Andrew C. Murphy

Hack/Slash #13 – Review

Mark Kidwell,(Writer) Tim Seeley, (Writer/Art) Emily Stone, (Art) Milian Parvanov, and Courtney Via (Colors)

It turns out that last issue was just a bump in the road (no pun intended, I swear) because Hack/Slash is in fine form this month. Just about everything in this issue is an improvement over the last and I think that if read back to back, this issue would actually elevate the last. I almost want to say now that it’s a shame the “Bump” crossover is over so soon because the concept lends itself well to some Cassie and Vlad ass kicking.

And kick ass they do in Hack/Slash #13. Picking up where they left off last month, Cassie, Vlad, and the reporter Phil O’Grady follow the lead to Eddie’s home. There they come face to face with a large number of the wooden horrors and Eddie himself. Much action, bloodshed, and graphic violence ensues in classic Hack/Slash fashion. It really doesn’t get much more complicated than that, but sometimes simplicity works best. The only drawback to the way this story plays out is at one point where the action breaks in order to move the overall story arc forward. Any momentum that had been built up immediately comes to a halt. I understand that the creative team needed to fit this crossover into continuity somehow due the cancellation of “Bump,” but it really does feel like things are coming from a completely different story (which, in a way, they are).

The writing done by Mark Kidwell is much stronger this issue thanks to, what feels like, more familiarity with the characters. He nails a nice buddy movie type vibe that keeps things light in what is, in all honesty, a pretty dark tale. Occasionally, I was frustrated by the way that he wrote Eddie, as it is sometimes difficult to understand what he’s supposed to be saying – but that is a minor complaint. Tim Seeley does a decent job with the series story elements involved, but, again, they feel out of place. He does throw in some nice humor though and the dog creature is quite entertaining. This is a fun read all around.

Thankfully, the artwork is much more consistent than the last issue. Cassie actually looks like the same person throughout the book, Vlad doesn’t have multiple faces, and there is really only one or two instances where things look a bit off. The gory action in this issue has some solid direction and there are a few great scenes even when things slow down. In particular, a humorous silhouette panel of the three main characters sneaking toward the house cracked me up.

Hack/Slash #13 does a lot to accent the “Bump” crossover storyline and I am really happy with how things concluded. Even if the last issue let you down as it did me, be sure to check out this latest issue – it definitely makes up for last month’s shortcomings. (Grade B)

-Kyle Posluszny

House of Mystery #3 – Review

By Matthew Sturges (writer), Luca Rossi and Zachary Baldus (artists), Lee Loughridge (colors)

I’m still waiting for this book to make a left turn and become all “70s gothic-horror” on me. Other than a few fleeting moments from the first issue, it still hasn’t happened. Still, HoM #3 reads much better than the second issue. With Fig acting as the anchor for this series, we get to see what happens when someone tries to escape from the House. And though the outcome is very predictable, it’s nice to know that boundaries are being set early. We also learn that there is indeed a way out, but it’s never really explained. All that’s shown is if you happen to make it out, you’re in for something not so pleasant.

The storytelling by Luca Rossi expressive and mood driven. When Fig is outside, we see less dreariness and shadows. When she’s inside, the mood level intensifies and Lee Loughridge’s colors work well to match that mood. The side story art by Zachary Baldus is quite good, but feels a bit too photo referenced for my tastes. There’s also a few panels where characters feel still and just “off”. But his brutal depiction of mobster violence makes a strong impression.

I enjoyed the fact that this issue spends more time with Fig and growing her relationships with the other house guests instead of segueing into another tale. Granted, I love the short side stories, but it’s good to see more focus on the character relationships. Now, if Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham (who’s absent from this issue) can work on ramping up the spookiness factor (like the stuff we see on the last page), I’ll be all over this book. In the meantime, it’s beginning to hover dangerously close to “I’ll just wait for the trade,” mentality – because the interior of your book should match what’s portrayed on the cover. (Grade: B-)

– J. Montes

A Second Opinion

As a series, House of Mystery has disappointed me a bit only because I expected more of a horror element to the stories being told. The series has given us glimpses of the potential horror elements, but has yet to really deliver in that regard (outside of the fly story in the first issue). With that said, I still consider this title to be one of my favorite reads each month. Fig is an interesting character, the overall story arc is compelling, and the short stories, while not quite what I expected, are always fun to read.

As for this issue, I agree with Jason on every point made, though I don’t think I could possibly trade wait something that is so consistently entertaining even if it isn’t exactly what I expected. The art is extremely well done, the relationships are developing nicely, and I really like how it shows what’s in store for someone who manages to leave the house. It finally feels as though the story is starting to go somewhere and I believe things will only get stronger from this point on. House of Mystery #3 is a fun read, just make sure to keep expectations in check. Don’t let the awesome cover art deceive you into thinking this “House” is all about horror. (Grade: B)

– Kyle Posluszny

The Dependents #1 – Review

Martin Fisher (Writer/Creator), Ben Hansen (Penciler), Levi Skeen (Inker)

This black and white offering from Alterna Comics opens up with a question on the nature of relationships, for young Tara Morgan is involved in a rather complicated dependent relationship. At a lonely, low point in her life, when she really needs someone, a blob-like entity engulfs her. This entity exists inside Tara but needs to release itself periodically. The complication is that when this entity assumes control it becomes a taloned, blood-thirsty killing machine. Tara is acutely aware of the creature’s nature and becomes a fugitive while trying to figure out a way to coexist with its insatiable need for blood. Tara resolves in attempting to turn the creature towards a useful purpose with mixed results and an effective cliffhanger ending.

I can’t claim to have liked this book when I initially read it, but I nevertheless felt strangely drawn to it. So I’ve re-read it a few times and it’s grown on me. It has its weak points, but it has some strong points as well. I like that Martin Fisher wastes no time in getting his story started. Within the first three pages we have a sense of who the lead character is and what has happened to her. As the story progresses we get a good sense of the inner turmoil and struggle between Tara and the entity that now resides inside her.

One of the strengths of the artwork is in the storytelling. We get a nice variety of layouts, settings, and camera angles. The creature, particularly in its first full manifestation, looked pretty cool. There is enough here to keep the story moving along smoothly and to keep the eye interested. In addition, Levi Skeen seems to have a nice feel for the black and white medium. He provides nice textures and his inking is a plus for the book.

On the other hand, I wasn’t clear from the beginning if Tara was a college student or a high school student. From her style of dress I would have guessed high school, but from the school setting I would have guessed college. I had to read up on Alterna’s website to learn that she is 16. I think that should have been clearer, she seems pretty street smart and savvy for a 16 year old. While I liked the storytelling and the inking there are times when the artwork lacks sophistication, particularly in the longer shots of the human figure and the faces of the characters. I’ll readily admit that the artwork was one of the stumbling blocks for me to overcome after my first reading.

I did find the ending compelling. I want to find out what happens so I will be reading and reviewing the second issue. There is enough of interest here to bring me back and see where it goes. Best of all is that you can download the book for yourself for free to check it out. Head on over to Alterna Comics’ website and look for the downloads, you’ve got nothing to lose. There is definitely some real potential here. (Grade: B-)

– Arthur Cooke

Hack/Slash #12 – Review

Tim Seeley (Writer and Artist), Mark Kidwell (Writer), Emily Stone (Artist), Milen Parvanov, and Courtney Via (Colors)

Hack/Slash, for me, is the ultimate guilty pleasure. It manages to deftly combine a number of my favorite things into one of the most consistently entertaining, visually pleasing comics on the stands. Cassie and Vlad are compelling characters, the extreme gore fits the tone of the series extremely well, sexuality is used intelligently, the humor is spot on (cheesy at times, but in all the right ways), and the stories told are almost always unique enough to make the series stand out. While not necessarily something everyone can or will enjoy (mostly due to the language, gore, and sexuality), this title is something most mature comic fans should at least try out. Horror movie fans: if you haven’t checked out this series yet, it’s time to get on board!

Now with all that said, Hack/Slash #12 is probably not the best way to be introduced to the series. On the other hand, maybe it would be the perfect place to jump on because it functions as a two-part stand alone story that can be read without knowledge of the series. While entertaining and full of moments that can really only be found in a Hack/Slash story, this issue suffers because of the odd way in which the story comes about. Apparently, the story was meant to be released by Fangoria Comics as part of its “Bump” mini-series, but when Fangoria Comics went down, the story of Cassie and Vlad versus Bump was left to linger. Now, after some changes to the length and the story, it has found its way into the Hack/Slash ongoing series. I mention all of this because I can’t help but feel that this issue would have been much better had it not had such a tumultuous trip.

Hack/Slash #12 is the first part of a story about an investigation into the massacre of 32 collegiate environmental activists. Cassie and Vlad show up to the scene and, after running into a famous news anchor and a local policewoman, find themselves in a brawl against some cool looking wooden creatures. The main storyline works well enough, and I look forward to the second part of the arc, but the book stumbles a bit in the way it tries to fit the larger arcs of the series into what probably should have been left as a stand alone story. While it doesn’t damage the book in any major way, it gives the book a disjointed feel. This is unfortunately amplified by some inconsistent artwork.

As usual with this series, most of the dialogue is quite entertaining and there is a nice sense of camaraderie between Cassie and Vlad. Dark humor is used to great effect and while some of the dialogue is cheesy, it fits the story well considering the B-movie trappings. This is a fun read all around. As a side note, keep an eye out for a pair of cult favorites making a hilarious cameo.

The artwork, as noted, is pretty inconsistent and, to be honest, this surprised me quite a bit. The beginning and ending fits with the style commonly used in the ongoing series, while the main story has a completely different visual style. Neither style is bad, but the difference is quite jarring as the characters look completely different depending on the section of the book. On top of that, in the main portion of the comic, Cassie seems to have a slightly different look every couple of panels. This is all quite distracting and I know I would have enjoyed the book more if it had a more consistent look to it. I hope this is just a slight misstep, as the series is usually great to look at. Also, on the more positive side, I want to mention how perfect the gore is. When the blood starts to flow, the artists completely nail the look of an absolutely over the top horror flick and one kill in particular stands out as one of the more brutal things I‘ve seen in a comic.

Hack/Slash #12 is an entertaining and fairly attractive, if inconsistent, comic when taken on its own. However, I have come to expect a bit more out of this series than what is offered here. This issue would have worked better as the stand alone crossover it was meant to be. (Grade: C)

-Kyle Posluszny

House of Mystery #2 – Review

By Matthew Sturges and Bill Willingham (writers), Luca Rossi and  Jill Thompson (artists), Lee Loughridge (colors)

While I appreciate and enjoyed the story presented in this issue, I’ve got to admit I was a bit let down by the lack of “horror” elements. I guess this place can’t be scary all the time. Instead, HoM #2 presents us with a tale of a man who was retrofitted to take trip into the deep. It was a mission of diplomacy, but at its core, the man was a glorified collection agent. The world he delves into is fantastically realized by Jill Thompson as she does some beautiful water color work. And as much as I enjoyed this small tale, I couldn’t help but wonder where all the suspense was.

Later, when the story shifts back to Fig, we get a better understanding of how she found her way into the House, but little is revealed about her ghostly assailants or their motives. And while we do get to see more of the House and learn that Fig can never leave, there’s little story that happens in this sophomoric effort. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind it as much if we got a load of character development (we don’t), and lack of any suspense cripples the book – at least for me. That’s not to say the story is bad, it’s entertaining, for sure, but anyone hoping for some actual horror or mystery may be a bit disappointed.

As for the art, it’s one of the bright points in the book. Jill Thompson’s muted watercolor work is hauntingly beautiful. It’s only a few pages though, so don’t expect too much. Luca Rossi handles art chores for rest of the issue and produces quality that matches the previous issue. In other words, it’s good stuff. The story, however is strictly average at best. And that’s something House of Mystery should never have. (Grade: C)

– J. Montes

Haunt of Horror: Lovecraft #1 (of 3) – Review

Richard Corben (writer, artist)

This is the beginning of the second Haunt of Horror mini-series (the first featured the tales of Edgar Alan Poe) by Richard Corben for Marvel’s Max line. It’s an attractive package with a heavy cardstock cover and featuring some gorgeous black and white art (with gray wash-tones). The collection contains three stories: Dagon, based on a Lovecraft short story, The Scar (after Lovecraft’s Recognition) and A Memory, both based on poems. As a nice touch is the text of the original source material which is included after each story; they serve as a story divider.

The typical features of Lovecraft’s milieu are well represented here: The unmentionable, ancient creeping horrors in remote corners of the globe that drive the mind from rational thought to madness. As a true Lovecraft aficionado, I tend to look at this work with a more critical eye. The more general comics reader can enjoy this work as either an intro to Lovecraft or as an appreciation of the work of Richard Corben – one of the true legends still working in the field.

In The Scar, Corben makes great use of the black and white printing and proves himself a master of light and shadow. A torch plays a significant role in the story and the stark contrast of torchlight highlighting facial features against black backgrounds is beautifully rendered throughout the story – a joy to behold if you like that sort of thing. At the risk of sounding silly, I’ll admit that A Memory is almost entirely worth it just for the rendering of the gloves on the second page of the story. Go ahead, take a look, and tell me they don’t look plush; you’re in the hand of a master craftsman here.

While The Memory involves more blood and guts than the other two stories it’s a more understated use of gore. It’s there but it doesn’t overpower. The focus is on the emotional content as revealed through the facial features of the characters involved. All in all a very effective story with a bit of a twist ending not unlike an old Marvel monster story.

I enjoyed this issue a good deal. Lately I’ve been into the old black and white magazines, like Creepy and Eerie that weren’t quite my cup of tea when I was younger. This comic very much has the feel of those books, and I do believe Corben did work for those titles back in the 70’s. While I regret missing the Haunt of Horror series dedicated to Poe I will be looking to pick it up in trade. And I am definitely looking forward to the next issue of this three part miniseries. (Grade: A)

– Arthur Cooke

House of Mystery #1 – Review

By Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham, Luca Rossi , Ross Campbell, Lee Loughridge

Horror and mystery fans gather ’round, your book has arrived. After being canceled in 1983, DC’s flagship horror title makes its triumphant return. And while the House of Mystery never really disappeared off the radar (it played a role in many of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series), it has been too long since we’ve been without this series (and its brother title, House of Secrets). If you’ve never read an issue of House of Mystery have no fear. Because the dynamics and the format are for the most part completely different than the original series, you’ll have no problem getting into this book.

What immediately came to mind after finishing this issue was one of the later Sandman storylines called World’s End. That story featured a group of people trapped in an inn where stories from different walks of life and cultures were exchanged. House of Mystery’s premise is very similar in that manner. The house has disappeared from “reality” (I’m sure this will all be explained as the series goes on), and seems to be caught in a weird purgatory style dimension. Trapped in this house are a group of strangers – each from a wildly different dimension or time.

This first issue gives us the story of a woman who lived in a town infested with human-sized flies and how she fell in love with one of them. The story ain’t pretty – in fact it’s grotesque near the end – but it serves in many ways as a satire and analogy of sorts. I’m not going to go into what I took away from it, because it can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide. No matter what you take away from it, on the surface it’s a chilling and disturbing story not for the weak-hearted. And that’s just the way I like it.

The art teams do an excellent job of translating the spooky atmosphere to the comic page (especially that creepy fly story), and the writing teams both turn in stellar scripts. There’s a bit of confusion involved with a few of the opening plots that may throw off some people, but I urge you to keep reading. As the issue progresses, things begin to unravel. And while you won’t get all your answers from this first offering, you will get just enough to make you come back next month. The industry needs more comics like this. Highly recommended. (Grade: A-)

– J. Montes

The Walking Dead #48 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (writer), Charlie Adlard (art), Cliff Rathburn (colors)

This is, hands down, the best and most emotional issue of The Walking Dead yet. Everything is spot on perfect: The pacing, the art, the dialogue, the pay-offs, and the drastic direction this book takes. Robert Kirkman deserves accolades for delivering on his “No one if safe” promise. This issue will shake you to the core and leave you an emotional train wreck.

I can’t and won’t go into the details of the story because of the sweeping changes that take place, but I will say that if you’ve been a reader since the first issue, prepare to be traumatized. Everything has been building towards this, and to be honest, I thought we’d get this conclusion at issue #50. Instead, we get a rousing ending to the war at the prison, the governor, and the fate of the survivors.

There’s a few threads left unresolved, but you know how you read a typical issue of Walking Dead and it’s over way too quickly and you have to wait maybe a month or two to see what happens next? Well, this issue completely satisfies, doesn’t leave you hanging (to a degree), and is paced out perfectly. This is what makes picking up the single issues rewarding to me. A lot of credit also has to go to Charlie Adlard who does some brilliant panel work – not to mention a very ominous double page splash. His interpretations of Kirkman’s script are spot on and hard hitting.

I have no idea what Kirkman has planned from here on out. It takes a lot of guts to shake things up on the level he did here.  But the future is now completely wide open. (Grade: A+)

– J. Montes

Locke & Key #1 – Review

By Joe Hill (written), Gabriel Rodriguez (art) & Jay Fotos (colors)

I bought two of Joe Hill’s books, but I never read them (a novel and a short stories compilation). They’re supposed to be good and the critics were praising his work before the revelation of who Hill’s father (Stephen King!) came to be. What’s also interesting is this book has already been optioned as a movie. So, is it any good?

Locke & Key’s story is told through flashbacks. Two teen psychos attack and murder a father of three siblings. Eventually, the older brother gets his revenge as well as his mother. After the funeral they move to a mansion called Keyhouse, in Lovecraft, Massachusetts (you can probably see where this is going with a town by that name). The youngster roaming inside the mansion finds a key, and opens a door. When he crosses through only his spirit does leaving his shell of a body behind. Scared, he goes back through the door, wakes up back in his body, and slams the door shut.

I’m really intrigued by all the doors that dwell in this mansion and the different effects they’ll impose on the people that cross them. For a first issue, it’s an excellent read, and a sharp supernatural thriller. The comic costs $3.99 as many IDW comics do, but I can’t complain too much on the price this time. You get 32 pages of story, a glossy “key” on the cover (okay, it’s a little gimmicky), and one heck of a debut issue. (Grade: B+)

-Daniel Yanez

Gutwrencher #1 (of 3) – Review

By: Shannon Eric Denton (writer/co-creator), Keith Giffen & Steve Niles (story/co-creator), Anthony Hightower (artist), Carlos Badilla (colorist)

By the look of the cover, the one probably will assume that this book is more of a parody on the slasher genre. The guy has a menacing look in his eyes, but the rest of him is kind is somewhat silly, with the mummy bandages and rubber band in hand. Well, that assumption went away pretty fast.

Here’s the story: There is a 10 year high school reunion. One of the guys who didn’t get invited picks up a log with some weird carvings while hiking with his girlfriend. He gets all bloody from some nails imbedded in the log and suddenly goes crazy, slashing his girlfriend’s throat! He then decides to kill all his old classmates at the reunion for some unknown reason. It seems he’s possessed, but his old self still remains in him. Oh, and for a possessed guy he has a nice dry sense of humor.

Gutwrencher has the makings of those teenage slasher flicks (Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street), but with more mature young people – not teenagers. That’s a change. Like I said, I was expecting something worse, but what I got is pretty good. However, I don’t like how the artist drew people’s faces – some of them look like middle aged people or even borderline old. I’m on the fence with this one, but I’ll try the next issue to see what happens. (Grade: C+ )

-Daniel Yanez

A Second Opinion

Okay there’s this waterlogged, piece of bark floating in the river. It calls to this guy who accidentally gets bloody from the nails on it. The guy kills his girlfriend and becomes the red neck Blair Witch. Because he didn’t get invited to his high school reunion he decides to murder them all. Wow, what a sore loser. Looks like someone never grew up.

I disagree with Daniel on the art here. I think it’s the best thing going for this book and the characters look completely within the realm of 26-28 year olds. I also disagree with Daniel on the story. It sucks.

For the characters who aren’t cursed, deranged murders, the dialogue they share with each other is pointless. It’s real dialogue though, but it’s all mindless, useless conversations people hear and forget in two seconds. You know what I’m talking about: the stuff people say just to avoid uncomfortable silences. This isn’t meaningful dialogue and it doesn’t show us who these people are. So with people like this, why the hell would anyone even fathom going to their reunion in the first place? I’d consider it a blessing to not be invited!

And the end of this issue? Can you say Nightmare on Elm Street 2? Sorry, but this book was completely intolerable. And yes, it’s worse than Halloween: Night Dance.

Thanks for letting me borrow your copy, Daniel. You saved me $3.50 (which is already overpriced as it is). (Grade: F)

– J. Montes

Halloween: Night Dance #1 – Review

By Stefan Hutchinson (writer), Tim Seeley (art), Elizabeth John (colors)

I’ll admit it, Halloween is my favorite horror franchise. The stuff John Carpenter did with the first and second movies was profound and groundbreaking. The later movies weren’t very good, but I did like the new characters introduced and the sense of continuity that played out. Rob Zombie’s remake? Eh, it was okay.

So how is Halloween: Night Dance? I wish I could say I liked it. From the opening pages it had problems. Writer Stefan Huchinson moves through his opening cast of characters so quickly it’s very hard to understand who is narrating, what’s going on, and who these people are. We’re introduced to Lisa, an 18 year old girl who narrates the story like a 13 year old; she says she feels like a freak, but she speaks like a child. Next, we have Ryan and Marcie whose expository dialogue feels trite, forced, and unnatural. Eventually their paths begin to intersect by way of Michael Myers and then we’re left with a “to be continued”.

Tim Seeley, the best penciler working at Devil’s Due, handles art chores. I enjoyed his art on the Forgotten Realms books, and his work here is good, but I really wish they’d give him an inker. As good as his pencils are, they’re not refined – there’s pencil marks all over the place and it looks tacky. So it falls upon colorist, Elizabeth John, to cover up as much of the imperfections as she can. Another odd thing about this book is the changing font sizes. Sometimes the lettering is small, other pages it’s two sizes bigger. What gives? It’s distracting!

There’s no tension in this book. No suspense. The main character is completely annoying and her narrative is overly written. There’s nothing here to like. However, if you must read this book, I highly suggest waiting for the trade. As it stands now, nothing happens in this book to hold your interest. And I know that there’s probably a lot of Halloween fans out there, but three different variant covers is a bit excessive. (Grade: F)

– J. Montes

A Second Opinion

I have to agree with Jay on this one. It’s hard to understand who is narrating. There are subtle changes in the color of the narration which are barely noticeable and if you’re not paying close attention to the color changes you’re going to lose track of who’s speaking. The script could have been better. The pacing is off, too; I guess Hutchinson is taking it slow.

I didn’t have any problems with the art, and I disagree with Jay when he says adding an inker will improve it. I said this before: I don’t like remakes or sequels with people who didn’t work with the original material. But, there will be always an audience. I won’t be picking up issue #2. (Grade: D-)

-Daniel Yanez