by
M.I.K.
Now available for free download, SHOCKING CHILLERS, the new 32 page yuletide horror comic from the creators of Hallowscream!
Contents are as follows…
Cover & Intro page by Malcolm Kirk.
Page 3 : Jolasveinar Story by Paul Bristow, Art by Andy Lee
Page 10 : Deadly Flue Story & Art by Gordon Innes
Page 13 : Reunion Story by Sam Larkin, Art by James Newell
Page 16 : Terrorvision Guide by Malcolm Kirk
Page 17 : Yuletide Fear Story by Oscar Maltby, Art by Matthew Herbert
Page 18 : Yeti Story & Art by Gordon Innes
Page 21 : The First Page Story & Art by Carol Kewley
Page 22 : The Fright Before Christmas Story by Tim West, Art by Christopher Geary
Page 28 : Graveyard Ghoul Pin-up by “The Gurch”
Page 29 : Good Will Story by Derek Hamill, Art by Jon Taylor
…and…
Page 32 : Red-nosed Skull by Malcolm Kirk
You can download this issue from DROPBOX or MEDIAFIRE.
File size is 16.4 mb.
It will also probably also be available from Back From The Depths later on (where you can download issues of Hallowscream), and viewable online at MYEBOOK if it stops being awkward and lets me upload the bloomin’* thing.
* © Raymond Briggs.
Edit : You can now see it on MYEBOOK.
Have a Horribly Merry Christmas, everybody.
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Risher #1
Writer: P.H. Dillard
Artist: Tamas Szalkai
Release Date: October 2012
Price: $x.xx
“This first part of the saga is guaranteed to suck you in and not let go. You will be introduced to our lead character and a couple of his previous alter egos. Ever wonder what happened to Jack the Ripper or the Axeman of New Orleans? Find out in this issue. You will also meet Karvos, the man hellbent on stopping the murderous Demetrius Risher, and a few other interesting characters the likes of which you will not find anywhere else. BONUS-this issue features an exclusive statement from none other than the Son of Sam himself, David Berkowitz. What more could you want from a serial killer comic?”
Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Now there are two things that are always missing from horror comics that I am always calling out for, Mummies and Serial Killers. With that being said, they are also two of the hardest things to write. P.H. Dillard took this challenge and wrote Risher, a comic about a serial killer that has lasted throughout the years. I will not go into spoiling anything when it comes to the story, but I will say this, damn that was refreshing! The artwork by Szalkai, is GORE-Geous. Matter of fact, I will admit that I joined on to the Kickstarter campaign just to see it in person. He does a great job on consistency and tone. This is a black and white book that just shines. The story by Dillard is really interesting. Again I am not going to go into detail, but I will say that I love the concept about the killer being around for a long time. The dialogue was good, but there was one or two rough spots. For a first time comic writer he seems to have a good grasp on how to deliver a solid story to the reader. I was interested before starting it, and by the end I was just hooked and wanting more. When it seems that most Horror Comics these days are only really covering the same zombie survival story, or a vampire love tale, it is so great to see something come out and be so against the grain. I highly enjoyed this book, and can not wait to see how far it can go. If you are looking to stray away from the horror norms these days, then look no further.
Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Risher you can find it at http://www.rishercomic.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Haunted Horror #1
Creators: Various
Editors: Craig Yoe, Steve Banes, Clizia Gussoni
Publisher: IDW
Release Date: October 2012
Price: $3.99
“A comic so good it’s…SCARY! Imagine you were a kid in the 1950s reading contraband horror comics under the bed covers by flashlight! You were devouring the very comic books you parents, your teachers and anti-comics crusader Dr. Fredric Wertham were trying to keep out of your hands! Now you can recreate that same experience, because the comics that were banned are back in actual comic-book format! The people that brought you Dick Briefer’s Frankenstein, Bob Powell’s Terror and Zombies are now producing a comic book series filled with the best of worst vintage horror comics that will rot your mind! Don’t dare miss the first issue of Scary from the Chilling Archives of Horror Comics fiends!“
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
Are you new to horror comics? Have you ever wondered why most people who like horror comics always say the books of the past were better or had a different feel to them? Haunted Horrors #1, which is brought to us by the same great editing team as Chilling Archives Zombies, is the perfect way to find out why people say such great things about old school horror comics. Now keep in mind there is really nothing new in this book, other than the amazing Horror Host, Forelock the Warlock, who has a slight resemblance to editor Craig Yoe. The talent in this collection is amazing, with work from Jack Kirby, C.A. Winters, Bernard Baily, Mike Sekowsky, Bill Walton, Joe Simon, Jack Cole, and the man who seriously stole the show, Jay Disbrow. With 52 pages in this book, you could estimate it taking 30 or so minutes to read, but you would be wrong. We are talking old school horror here, so these stories are wordy, and packed with a punch. ‘The Constant Eye’ is a story that just creeped me out. The fact that he was always being watched, just left this uneasy feeling lingering over me. I always thought that older horror stories had a moral limit, meaning they ended with a finger waving at yhe audience, that was until i read ‘Slaughter-house!’ Simon and Kirby delivered on this story, it could easily scare the crap out of someone today, and the ending was so unexpected and yet so real. The final thing I really have to touch on is creator Jay Disbrow. His story ‘Ultimate Destiny’ was the perfect choice to have end this book. All you have to do is look at the final page and you will buy this just to find out what is going on, on that page. Typically if you want to get reprints of Pre-code Horror you need to pay $35 – $50 for a hardcover collection. IDW and Yoe Books say screw that, here are 52 GORE-Geous pages for only $3.99. Put down that crossover book that won’t mean anything tomorrow and spend your hard earned money on something that is a timeless classic. I praise these guys for collecting these stories for preservation and to bring them to a new generation. Do not miss this series!
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Haunted Horror you can find it at www.idwpublishing.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Rebel Blood TPB
Writer: Alex Link, Riley Rossmo
Artist: Riley Rossmo
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: September 2012
Pages: 128
Price: $14.99
“A virus has created a wilderness of blood-thirsty creatures standing between you and your family. You don’t know if you can save them in time, or if you’ve even got the strength to try. But you’re about to find out. In a world of ravenous creatures it doesn’t matter who you used to be. Today you’re lunch.”
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
Nope, no way. There is absolutely no way I could have seen that coming, and that is why this book is getting a perfect score. Rebel Blood seemed to be heading down a nice little path of typical horror storytelling and then it took a right at the light. When this series was coming out as single issues I always found myself saying “I have to re-read the last issue to see how this plays into what is going on.” So sure this was fun as a mini, but it is Killer as a collected. As usual I am going to do some gushing about Rossmo’s GORE-Geous artwork. His characters designs are solid and consistent, his monsters/zombies are ahh-mazing, but there was something very special that made what he did in this book stand out. Riley was able to really capture cartoon-like animation on a comic book page a few times in this series. He did this by not breaking up panels with gutters, but instead continued visually telling the story in the same panel. He was able to instruct my eyes where to go next, without the typical comic breaks, and that is why this was so well done. The story I have already kind of touched on, but I want to come back to it. The idea really did seem to be straight forward, survive the zombie madness and everything will be okay. However throughout the book, there are these little sneak peaks into the main characters brain. As the story progresses you really begin to wonder about his sanity, and then BAM, in your face plot twist that makes this book a solid 5. I loved this book, there is no way around that. I think what Rossmo and Link were able to do here will be talked about for years to come. When the horror genre is filled with some typical zombie survival stories, which are great, it is always nice to see a team bring something new and fresh to the table. At $14.99 this book is a steal, so make sure to add it to your collection, you will be glad you did.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to buy or know more about Rebel Blood you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com
by
Decapitated Dan
Issue: Deadworld: War of the Dead TPB
Writer:Gary Reed
Artist:Sami Makkonen
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: November 2012
Price: $19.99
Order Code: SEP12 0375
“The undead have overrun the Earth! A small outpost, remnants of a twisted scientist’s scheme to defeat the plague, holds out against the army of King Zombie with their secret weapon, the Lepers – victims of a bizarre experiment that left them with dead flesh in breathing husks that even zombies won’t touch. “
Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
Holy $*!+! That about sums up what just happened at the end of this GORE-Geous and ARGH-Mazing book. Collecting the mini series, that was showcased during Deadworld Month in August from IDW, this book captures the same spirit as what came before, and leads readers into the future of this Dead’verse. The artwork by Makkonen is beautiful. I said it when I read Slaughterhouse, and I will say it again, Sami’s style is so perfect for this series. His character designs have a very creepy edge to them, placed into his dark backgrounds and my eyes just melt with joy. The issues that arose with Slaughterhouse, black and white art that at times was too dark, have been corrected by adding in color. I have to admit that when this was first announced I was not super excited about it, the series has always been black and white, but when I read the first issue my opinion changed. The colors add a dimension to this book that ups the feeling of how dark and depressing this world really is. The story in this “chapter” takes place 1 year after the events of Slaughterhouse. I personally do not think that you need to read the previous stories to grasp what is going on here, but I suggest that you do because it is amazing (pick up the omnibus). I think the best way to sum up what happens in this book, is to really categorize it as a solid story, that is a great base to lead into what is to come. Reed is a master of detail in his writing. If you have ever read his St. Germaine books you will know this, and if not I suggest you do that as well. The way that he explains the concept of defending where the human survivors live, to the description of why it might be best for humans to live in breeding and work camps, left me floored. The pacing was perfect throughout the book, with plenty or build and some great action scenes. Then you get to the ending and it is such and amazing cliffhanger. I plan on sending 1 email to Gary a week to find out what happens next, just to get him moving on more issues ASAP. For almost 30 years Deadworld has been at the forefront of zombie and horror comics. It is a series I love more than anything, and this series took that love to a whole new level. I pray that more issues will be coming our way soon, because I need my fix as a Dead(world) Head. The perfect creative team worked on this book, and it would be a crying shame for it not to be a part of your collection. This is hopefully only just the beginning folks.
Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5
If you would like to know more about Deadworld: War of the Dead TPB please go to http://www.idwpublishing.com/or http://www.garyreed.net/.
