by
Ghastly McNasty
Head on over to the official Stephen King site for a comic treat that’s a must for horror fans. Horror god Stephen King is currently showing a short story that’s been adapted by comic artist Dennis Calero (co-creator of Xmen Noir and Devil Inside).
Kingo’s short story, the opener of Stephen Jones’s 2011 anthology, A Book of Horrors, tells from the point of view of his doubting nurse the tale of a paraplegic millionaire who wants to exorcise his pain.
Katherine “Kat” MacDonald is an RN hired to care for wealthy client, Andrew Newsome, who has gone from doctor to doctor trying to find a quick cure for his lingering pain to no avail. She is convinced that he would overcome the injuries he sustained in an airplane crash but he is unwilling to endure the pain of physical therapy. In desperation, Newsome has hired a healer, Reverend Rideout, who promises to “expel” his pain.
Pretty much anything that horror ledge King does is golden so we’ll be enjoying the story in web comic format. We suggest you do likewise.
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Rose Black: Demon Seed
Writers: Ed Murphy, Tom Campbell
Artist: Joel Carpenter
Publisher: Rough Cut Comics
Price: $15.99
“Sexy bloodsucker Rose Black, fully enrolled back into the British Secret Service, comes face-to-face with a truly terrifying adversary: a genetic super-being whose powers equal her own and who, ultimately, has become the world’s first ‘Vampire’ “
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Rose Black: Demon Seed is an action packed thrill ride that combines horror and intense drama like I have not seen before. The artwork in this book is GORE-Geous. Carpenter’s cast is near perfect page after page. A big highlight to me was his representation of the vampires themselves. Giving them what I would consider more of a spider face, with very large fangs, they easily stand out in the crowded genre. I also want to throw mention to colorist Derek Dow, because his work on these pages was outstanding. While the artwork is great, the story is what really won me over here. Murphy and Campbell did a fantastic job on this book. The pacing is great, and there is no such thing as a dull moment with this book. The dialogue is sharp, and the whole package comes off so well. I definitely think that this book falls into the line of something like the new Vampirella and the Anita Blake books. Mixing military with vampires could only work if done right, and this creative team nailed it. When you see this book it doesn’t look to overwhelming, but it seriously took me 2 hours to read it. It is packed with story. This is a great read that looks beautiful, and I am proud to have siting on my shelf.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Rose Black: Demon Seed you can find it at http://www.roughcut-comics.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: The Scarifyers #1
Writer: Simon Barnard
Artist: Simon Gurr
Publisher: Cosmic Hobo
“Ghost story writer Professor Dunning doesn’t believe in the supernatural. So he’s more than surprised when an invisible demon appears in his living room.
The Metropolitan Police’s oldest-serving officer, Inspector Lionheart doesn’t believe in the supernatural either, wings or no wings. So he’s less than impressed when Russian émigré’s begin dying impossible deaths all over London.
Together, Lionheart and Dunning must face quarrelsome Generals, sinister clowns and Russian demons, in the first adventure for THE SCARIFYERS.”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I have to call Simon Barnard one of these days to tell me how to pronounce this title. I will say that no matter how you say it, I say this book was awesome. The cover art kind of scared me a little, but when I saw the interior art I did let out a little sigh of relief. What I am trying to say is that I personally would have shown some of the interior work on the cover, because it is GORE-Geous. The black and white work, with the halftone dots is so visually appealing, and the opening scene makes my eyes melt. The characters themselves have apparently been around for a while, I did not know this. This issue does a very good job of introducing me to the cast, who they are and what they do. What I really enjoyed was the amount of content in this book. While it may only be 32 pages, it felt like there were a lot more. That is how you know you are getting you money’s worth. If I had one issue with the dialogue though, it was with terminology. Being an American, I don’t always understand the meaning of something said by someone who is British. It does not take anything away from the whole though. A great horror mystery is taking place in these pages and this team delivered on making me want to come back again and again. Great first issue, and I can only see it going up and up from here.
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about The Scarifyers #1 you can find it at http://www.cosmichobo.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Trench Coats, Cigarettes & Shotguns #1
Writer: Chuck Brown
Artist: Philip Neudorf (A), Nat Jones (C)
Publisher: Asylum Press
Release Date: 2012
Price: $0.99 (digital)
“In a world filled with mech-wielding gangsters, demonic Mafioso and demons that run wild on earth, a mysterious hitman named Trypp only relies on three things — his trench coat, cigarettes and shotguns.”
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I ask myself, just based on this title alone, what is there not to like? Nothing, I like trench coats, cigarettes and shotguns, so how on Earth could this book not entertain me? The artwork by Neudorf is great, and it was all summed up at the very end in a GORE-Geous decapitation scene. Of course I am going to point that out, why wouldn’t I. What I liked most about this art style was that it all seemed to be done on wood, using paint. I really enjoyed his technique. There were some panels where I found things to be a little to jumbled, but if you stare at it, you can figure it out just fine. The story by Brown is really interesting. There seems to be an influential mix of Hellblazer, the Darkness and (insert a detective comic here) in the concept behind this book. The mix plays out very well as the issue goes on and you can consider me intrigued to be on board for more. There were some scenes though, where I thought that the pacing was a little off. Overall this was a great first issue. There was plenty of story build with some great intense action. I plan on being on board for this whole run, and you should be too. This was a great start.
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.0 out of 5
Trenchcoats, Cigarettes and Shotguns will be available on Comixology, Comics Plus (Iverse), Graphicly and
MyDigitalComics.com. The digital comic will also be available as a stand alone ebook on KindleFire, Nook, Kobo, Ibookstore, and Googlebooks.
by
Ghastly McNasty
You can now purchase printed copies of Hallowscream via the all new Comicsy website.
With just over 2 weeks until the launch of Hallowscream 4, we are delighted to announce you can now swot up on the 3 previous issues by taking a trip over to the wonderful new UK small press website Comicsy. This excellent site contains a whole host of comics, antholgies and small press doodlings from some awesome names in the UK comics scene, may of who have graced the pages of our beloved Hallowscream.
If you’re too skint to purchase Hallowscream, dont forget you can download them as free digital PDF’s by visiting the Hallowscream website.
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Book 2 – The Chosen
Creator: Michael Mendheim
Writers: Michael Mendheim, Mike Kennedy, Sean Jaffee
Artist: Simon Bisley
Publisher: Heavy Metal
Release Date: August 2012
Price: $14.95
“The End is Here – Welcome to the Apocalypse! Raised by the Order of Solomon, Adam Cahill is one of a rare handful of highly trained warriors bound by bloodline to guard the Seven Holy Seals that contain the End of Days. But ageless forces have conspired toward a prophetic event foretold by numerous cultures and multiple religions, and when that cryptic date arrives, they strike against the order without mercy! Adam’s world is shattered, his family murdered, and he is sent spiraling into Hell itself. There, he must find three corrupt souls, chosen by Divinity, to join him in battle against the legendary Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These broken individuals must band together to not only save their own souls but decide the fate of Humanity.”
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
The Horsemen are back, and you better be strapped in for what is about to go down. Book 2 is a balls to the wall non-stop thrill ride that is going to punch you in the face and not look back. Following the events of the first book, Helldiver, The Chosen shows the rest of the formation of the group that will save Earth from its impending doom. You would think that the visuals could not get any better than they were before, but they did. Each page is alive with such vibrant color. The art by Bisley is so GORE-Geous. His character designs are flat-out jaw dropping, and the amount of detail in each panel is stunning. There is no way in Hell (pun intended) that this book could look any better. His designs for the Horsemen alone, left a craving in this decapitated head for posters, t-shirts and so much more. The story kicks it into full gear as we round and head towards finish line. Mendheim, Kennedy and Jaffee deliver a story that is perfect on every level. The highlight of this issue to me, was the explanation of why this cast was being chosen to save the world. The amount of detail in their pasts added a level of compassion to my mind that most comics can not make happen. I love these characters, and I love how they are being presented. Of course this is the middle book of the trilogy, so it covers what it needs to and leaves you craving more. I can not express how amazing this series has been so far. I am deeply saddened that it will end with the next book, but I think that there is so much more to explore in this universe. I would say run, don’t walk to your local shop to pick this one up, but I would be lying. You need to get a transporter and just zap yourself there, because you are missing out already if you do not have this book in your hands. READ IT, you will not be sorry. This is easily going to be in my top books of 2013 list.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse you can find it at http://fourhorsemen.heavymetal.com/
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Lenore Vol. 2 #6
Writer: Roman Dirge
Artist: Roman Dirge
Letters: Roman Dirge
Colors: Roman Dirge
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: August 2012
Price: $3.99
“‘Lenore wants a sammich. She wants it bad. The rumble in her tummy has its own rumble within a rumble, Inception style. The problem is the angry, cold-loving, slimy thing in her fridge won’t let anyone in. After giving up all hope, Lenore calls in an Exterminator to deal with the fridge squatter. Following an unfortunate terminal incident, Ragamuffin covers the Exterminator’s corpse with Lenore’s favourite blanket, ‘Woobie’. But when the corpse and blanket goes missing, the gang must set out to recover Woobie, cover up a suspicious death, and get a *&#@% sandwich made!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I want a sammich too, but I bet you I don’t have to go through all of the trouble that poor little Lenore did. This hilarious series is back in my face with a new issue that will left my sides in pain from laughing so hard, I mean cheeks in pain since I have no body. While the solicit tells about the ‘Sammich Adventure’ the real fun in this issue takes place between Pooty and Ragamuffin. The way that he writes his characters to play on his creating process is pure horror/humor gold. Dirge has such an amazing talent at capturing facial expressions and emotions on the page. You know he is a mad genius at it when Pooty, a character whose head is a bucket with holes in it that do not change, can express emotion so damn well. The story that takes place here had me cracking up panel after panel. Favorite moment of the issue came at the end when the statues got their time to shine. No matter what issue of Lenore I pick up, I know I will laugh. Everything about this book is above and beyond what I could even ask for. Horror and humor are the perfect combination for me, and this series is seriously at the top of my all time favorites list. READ LENORE!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Lenore Vol 2 #6 you can find it at http://titanbooks.com/ and http://www.spookyland.com/
by
Ghastly McNasty
It is coming…
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Horror in the West
Writer: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: Alterna Comics
Price: $9.99
““Horror in the West” is a horror anthology featuring eleven stories that combine the mysticism of the Old West with demons, zombies, aliens, and blood-curdling storytelling. A man who cannot be killed by the hangman’s noose, alien cattle-drives for human flesh, demon-slaying bounty hunters – all of these stories can be found here. “Horror in the West” will take you by the reigns and drive you straight over the edge!”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Well now we got ourselves a bit of a situation here pardner. You see ol’ Decap he is not to big on Western Comics, but he does love his Horror Comics, so what on Earth could he even like about Horror in the West? How about everything! This is one great looking, great reading, hootenanny of a good time! The artwork in this entire collection is GORE-Geous. I will admit that they set the bar high starting with sam Agro’s style, but no story in this ever let me down. Personally I prefered the art styles of Agro, Brian Evinou, Chris McFann and Dan Simon the most, but again they were all great. There is some really great horror scenes depicted in this book and Jeff McComsey actually takes home the prize for drawing the scariest panel. The stories, like the artwork were all very well done. As a person who doesn’t love Western stories, it’s a tough thing to make me care. Each short was original, nothing like the others in the book, and just overall fun. So many different concepts only adds to the overall value of this collection. My personal favorites were “Star Calf”, “The Hunters”, “Pinkerton Express” and “The Amulet”. I will say it once again, this collection was great. It was able to make me enjoy something I don’t typically care for, so that is a win right there. This is an Anthology that you should be adding to your bookcase. YEE HORROR!!!!
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Horror in the West you can find it at http://alternacomics.com
