July 24th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 7/9/13

by Decapitated Dan

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

Abe Sapien #4 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: It’s pretty safe to say that Abe Sapien is the most riveting member of the BPRD (Liz Sherman is a close second). Just on looks alone, you have to sympathize with the guy. His origin is crazy (read the Plague of Frogs Omnibus), he’s a good friend to Liz and Hellboy, he’s got great skills as an agent of the BPRD, and we can go on forever about him. In this issue, he shows us what it’s like to be him for a few days. Even amongst this carnage going on, he’s still almost attacked by a wolf, sort of befriended by some people, and attacked by another. He’s running his own investigation into these crazy beast sightings and eggs that have been laid by said creatures. Some people, even within the BPRD think he has something to do with it. A long time ago, he was implicated as being a linchpin to such events (prophesied by the Black Flame), and recently was shot by a psychic that also believes he has something to do with it. Mignola, Arcudi, and Fiumara have brought this character to new heights. Don’t be foolish and miss it.  Rating 5/5

Decapitated Dan: A part of me says “Dan, there is no way the Hellboy books have been this good, for so long.” While another part of me says “You IDIOT! Why have you not ALWAYS been reading these?” This issue was a part 1 of a new story arc, and I do think that helped, however it’s so DAMN SOLID that I am kicking myself for not getting invested sooner. The artwork in this issue by Fiumara is GORE-Geous, as my eyes quickly fell in love with his style. The story though, was what got me hook, line and sinker (get it, a fish reference). While I am to assume, keep in mind that this is the first Abe book I have read, that this takes place at the same time as BPRD, it’s not technically put out there, but I think I get it. I so enjoyed this, and I am so enjoying everything Hellboy’verse now. I will be back, because I want to see that damn egg hatch! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Aliens Vs. Parker #3 (BOOM!)
Denise Dutton: I was all sortsa excited about this one when I saw the title. Alien vs. Predator? Sweet! But in fact, this is Aliens vs. Parker, and it’s about a guy who works as a space delivery man. He falls for a girl, grabs a spaceship in order to follow her, then gets stuck on a planet full of….yep. I wish I could say this is awesome, but the main characters – Parker and his buddy Modi – are so hyper that I’m rooting for the aliens. And the Marine that saves them is kind of a douche. The good news? This is a 4 part series. Pity AVP uses hyperactivity as humor; a little bit is good, but every page is overkill. At least Manuel Bracchi draws cute baby aliens. Bumped up a half star for the SpaceEx slogan “We know how to handle your package”. I’ll take that on a tshirt, please. (2.5 out of 5)

Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave #3 (Monsterverse)
Decapitated Dan: Mummies! Yay a new mummy story, and it rocks my horror socks off! Of course that is the first thing I will point out about this issue, but it’s surely not the last. This fang-tastic anthology consists of 6 gruesome tales, that all had me crying for more. The first I have to mention is that Mummy story, and Park and Mayo had me all wrapped up in its goodness. Now while you might think that was my favorite of the bunch, the very first story by Leal and Poliwko was the winner here. I never saw that take on this one coming, and it was a great one. It makes me think of some many news ways that it could be approached, so good. To round it all out my third favorite was the story by Benton Jew. It takes that classic feel of an old EC horror comic, and gives it a fun new look. While the guys still gets it in the end, how it got there was fantastic. Overall this anthology is amazing, and it always has been. I just wish it could come out monthly, because I am always left needing more! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Clive Barker’s Next Testament #2 (BOOM!)
Decapitated Dan: There is something I really like about this series, but also something I don’t, and that is making me stay on the fence for now. I really like this concept, and the way it is playing out is so beautiful. However, I really think it is too long winded on the dialogue. I was bored at times, but during others I was really entertained. I don’t know how well that really speaks to the comic though, because it’s only 24 pages. The artwork though is killer, and I mean that because one scene really had got my attention. I love the colors and how they shift on the “God” character to give him this “shiny” appearance. Overall I like what is going on here, but it needs to keep me in focus from start to finish, and so far it’s not. – Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: Barker’s take on the Second Coming is a glorious look at what humanity believes God should be, and what a higher power probably is. Wick, the God that created us all (or at least says he did) is ready to get down to business. Haemi Jang’s art is beautiful as ever, but the rainbow letters of Steve Wands are the stand out here; if a lord of colors spoke, I’d bet that’s how it’d be. But Wick ain’t here for fun and games y’all. And the last panel ends with a bang. Bring forth issue #3! (4 out of 5)

Dexter #1 (Marvel)
Decapitated Dan: Hmmmm…. I am not too sure what to think about this one. Okay the easy way to start is to just say this, if you watch the TV show, forget EVERYTHING you know. This one appears to me like it will appeal more to the people who have read the books. Which makes sense because it was written by the creator Jeff Lindsay. This is why I had a hard time reading it, well that and the artwork. I think if this came out when the TV show started, my review would be different. but having watched 7 seasons of the show, and now things not falling into place where they should, it makes no sense. The concept of getting people who only watch the show, to switch to this and be happy about it, I really don’t think it there. So for now, I will just call this a bad attempt at some crossover coverage for the character. – Dying Breath 2.0 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: I love Dexter. Well okay, I stopped watching last season, because it felt like it had jumped the shark. (Though I am open to revisiting that assessment.) Now Marvel is giving us a dose of everyone’s favorite do-gooder serial killer. Jeff Lindsay takes Dexter to his high school reunion and we get to meet Dexter’s former nemesis. Who doesn’t seem to have changed a bit. Pages 6 & 7 switch from Dexter’s usual first person narrative to third person, which is jarring (and something that an editor should have cleaned up), but this miniseries has a story that is looking like a fun non-premium-channel way to get your Dexter fix. (3.5 out of 5)

The Final Plague #1 (Action Lab)
Billy Dunleavy: WOW. This book was so amazing. Simplicity can sometimes be used to elevate something far beyond its competition. Sometimes writers get too hung up with trying to create some elaborate story that most people can’t follow or just simply get bored before there’s any payoff. This is not the case with Final Plague #1. In this story, an infestation of rats at a local farmhouse shows us the problem, but we even see that this plague is more than likely global, as New York City is affected as well. There were two scenes that made this entire book worth it. Both involved people being mauled by rabid, diseased rats. Words cannot describe how wild these panels were, but trust me, you will get the creeps and it will last long after you’ve read the book!!!  Rating 5/5

GFT: Werewolves The Hunger #2 (Zenescope)
Billy Dunleavy: The first issue was decent, and except for a lack of action, this issue was also pretty good. We get some action, but not nearly enough for a werewolf story that ends next issue. The part with the jogger getting mauled and then Roman coming to the scene was outstanding. Basically, a good looking young girl gets attacked and bitten but Roman scares him off. The girl then asks Roman…”help me”, and Roman asks her if she’s been bitten. She answers yes, and then again asks if he can help, to which he replies yes. He then raises his shotgun to her face, and KABLAM!!!! Nice shot of the barrel exploding that made it even better. The scientific aspect of the story is good too, but again,this ends in the next issue, so this is most certainly going to feel rushed when it ends. Too bad to, because it would have been better served as at least a four or five issue mini series.  Rating 4/5

Night of the Living Dead: Aftermath #9 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan: Well folks, this looks like it could be the end for our little group of survivors if these scientists have anything to say about it, however I think David Hine has a trick or two up his sleeve to make sure that I am thrown for a loop in the coming issues. Right off the bat, this issue is balls to the wall with action, and I loved the opening scene. It’s a shame to lose a helicopter, but it was funny how it happened and everything else that came after. Then the issue slowed down a little, but it was all necessary build for what it to come next. The artwork is fantastic, and helps deliver that final blow to your brain that leaves you knowing how good of a comic this is. Another great issue, from this amazing series. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Phantom Stranger #10 (Trinity of Sin)(DC)
Billy Dunleavy: I’m not an avid DC reader, but their “Dark” line up has me keeping up with certain titles, for sure! One of them is Phantom Stranger. The Stranger has been whisked away to what seems like Heaven, but while there, he’ll find out the meaning of more than just what paradise looks like. He’ll have to choose only one member of his most recent “family”, that can return with him to the land of the living, while the others stay dead (killed by the Sin Eater). J. M. Dematteis has an outstanding way of telling a story within this genre. He knows just how to represent each character strongly without anyone really stealing the show. Combine that with fantastic artwork by Fernando Blanco & Brad Anderson, and you’ve got a solid book!  Rating 4/5

Screwed #2 (Zenoscope)
Denise Dutton: I love the character of Special Agent Erin Scott. A gal that survived a serial killer’s advances and refuses to let that weaken her. Then there’s Anne, a woman with tons of scars and no memory; a woman who sees monsters everywhere. This is getting better and better, with gorgeous colors by Oracle that bring the incredible detail of David Miller’s pencils to life. Screwed is only a 6 part series, and I’m already hoping for more. (4.5 out of 5)

Ten Grand #3 (Image)
Decapitated Dan: I don’t know how comics can get any better than this. One the one side of the coin you have JMS, a writer who I have loved for years (his comic work). Then on the other side you have the artwork of the extremely talented Ben Templesmith. Now on their own, they are amazing, but when their powers combine, you get Ten Grand. This is easily a front runner for my best new series of 2013, with another book that I am reviewing this week! The story keep trucking right along, and it just keeps getting better and better. I love everything that is happening in this book, and the visuals by Templesmith only add to how great it is. I know, I know, it’s just turning into gush city around here, so I will bring it all to a close by saying, this is a book you need  in your life, it will just make okay. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Trinity of Sin: Pandora  #1 (DC)
Billy Dunleavy: A story that begins 10,000 years ago, showing a village of prehistoric peoples sets the stage for this time-spanning tale of adventure! A young girl on her way through the forest is surprised to see a flashing light under a bush. She finds a skull, but not a human skull, but one from a robot or cyborg. It’s eyes flash red, and so does the red third eye on its forehead. As that happens, a third eye seemingly opens up on the girls forehead as well, and she fall to the ground, passing out. When she awakens and returns to her village, she sees a scene of horror. The seven deadly sins have manifested into terrible beasts, and have laid waste to the village and are feasting on the people.  Before she can do anything, she, along with two others (whom I do not know), are in front of a pantheon of gods (from Captain Marvel/Shazam?), and are punished for their “crimes”. The tale continues as Pandora now must try to rid the Earth of these creatures, or die trying. Other than not understanding the robot skull and pantheon of gods parts, this book was pretty solid. Anyone with good DC knowledge will obviously know more about it, and definitely have a good time reading this book. Hopefully the rest of the event will be this good.  Rating 4/5

Über #3 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan: This series will not stop kicking ass. Seriously this is like that scene in Old Boy where he just beats everyone in the hallway, it’s that damn good. I love how things are coming together, and yeah this is a slow down issue, while the sides figure out how to give themselves an advantage in the war, but man is it a good read. And just in case you didn’t think you would get your Overmen moment, it’s there right in front of your melting eyes as Hitler gives the order to kill one of his own. It’s funny because as I read this, I root for the Über soldiers, I root for the English and I root for anyone who will make Adolf’s brain explode, which you know has to be coming… right? No way around it, this book is an amazing read, that I can not wait to get my hands on each month. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Venom #37 (Marvel)
Decapitated Dan: Alright, settle down, no this isn’t back to being a horror book just yet, but it ends with 1 of the key elements to make it one. I am actually happy to be reading this book again. I thought for a while their that it just got all screwy and was starting to just go off the rails, but now it seems to be back on track. The big highlight for this issue was the art of Kim Jacinto. It was beautiful from page to page, but again, it all came together at the end, when the real star of this book showed up, Jack O’Lantern! So I had to review it people, I had to. A great issue, that I can only hope returns to what it once was in my eyes. Now lets kill off Venom and rename this book! – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

July 23rd, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 7/2/13

by Decapitated Dan

 

July 12th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Blah, Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 6/25/13

by Decapitated Dan

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

Baltimore: The Inquisitor (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: Mignola and Golden have brought us another masterpiece in the world of Lord Henry Baltimore! This issue shows an inquisitor, and his “holy” quest to stop whoever he deems evil. He has Hodge in a jail cell for what he says are crimes of evil. In reality, Hodge is a friend of Baltimore’s, and has been corresponding with him at length about the vampires (and othe creatures) infesting Europe. A tragic death of a friend, Judge Duvic is judged, and Baltimore waits in the wings for a confrontation with Duvic! Anyone looking for something new, or just even slightly off the beaten path, give the Baltimore series a shot, because with Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden writing, and Ben Stenbeck and Dave Stewart on art, this book never misses!  Rating 4/5

BPRD #108 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: As “Wasteland” moves to part two, Dr. Corrigan and Iosif talk for the first time in a while, and try to assess what game plan to use moving forward. After the mentioning of Johann, we switch over to the scene of him and his battallion, struggling to survive. They’ve lost quite a few agents to these savage beasts that keep hunting them down, but Johann wont give up. This issue had it all. All out action and destruction, a heartfelt moment between the young boy and Agent Gervesh, some humor to lighten things up a bit, and then a good cliffhanger at the end to get you back for next issue! Two pages in particular stuck out. First, a page with only five rectangular panels that had only eleven words but was sad, encouraging, and creepy all at once. Another page showed the agents arriving at Chicago, and the mass destruction, followed by the disbelief of the agents was fantastic! Kudos to Mignola, Arcudi (writers), Laurence Campbell, and Dave Stewart (artists)! Oh and another great cover by the dude that’s been kicking butt for a while now, Dave Johnson!  Rating 5/5

Decapitated Dan: If this book has been this good for a long time, I am going to start kicking myself. WOW what an issue! I never expected to see that (guy) turn into a monster, but he did and it was creepy. The pacing on this story is so fantastic, and it all comes together so well. Tons of scary ass moments, in a world that just seems to have no hope at all. When you add in the GORE-Geous artwork by Campbell you add another dimension of horror that most comics can not achieve. WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN READING THIS!?!?! So good, and now I need more, or at least I need to go back and get some of the older stuff. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

The Dream Merchant #1 (Image)
Spaced: Winslow is just a guy who has a had a recurring dream all his life, but this is no ordinary dream. This dream has effected him to the point he now currently resides in a mental institution. But, when Winslow’s doctor decides to use a different method to explore the reasoning behind his dream he unwittingly unleashes something that may break Winslow’s psyche forever. The art is great, the characters are interesting and the writing is engaging. When using dreams as the catalyst to a story the possibilities are always endless and writer Nathan Edmondson has a good grasp on this, which should make for a really good mini series.

Extinction Parade #1 (Avatar Press)
Decapitated Dan: First of all, I loved the artwork. Caceres does an amazing job of drawing zombies, and to make it even better, he litters this book full of them. The story, which really comes across as more of novel, is long, but really good. I enjoy the concept of what will be going on here, but this issue didn’t really get to the point just yet, as we have to wait for the next issue to get things really rolling. So if you are going to pick this one up, expect a lot of build and backstory, which is needed, but expect things to really get rolling in the next issue. Great start! – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: Vampires.  Zombies.  Two great tastes…together.  But not really; Brooks’ story is still in the gearing-up stages in #1, but we know where this is headed.  Vampires will have to get up off their usual way of watching the human race from a distance (unless said vamp is having a snack), and begin to deal with the zombie apocalypse.  Now this is a horse of a different color!  And the colors on Raulo Carceres’ artwork are lovely indeed, as is the detail in the pencils.  “They had always been a joke”, says one of the vamps.  Wanna bet it’s not so funny in #2?  Big ol’ bonus points for a Twilight smackdown.  I think I’m gonna like this series.  And a look at George R.R. Martin’s Skin Trade cover in the end pages?  Yaaaay!  (4.5/5)

The Fall of the House of Usher #2 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: While Corben is a legend in the medium, his love for boobs is sometimes a bit over the top and can hinder the over all story itself. In the case of this book, it didn’t as much as it had previously, but it still seemed cheesy. Corben’s writing however, is very strong in this issue of the final day of the House of Usher! A murder, a betrayal, and Roderick gone completely unhinged, make this book a really solid read. Poe was an excellent storyteller, and this adaptation showcases that immensely. This book was certainly the strongest out of them all! The cover work must be mentioned as well, because it was superbly done by Corben himself! Great use of shadows and stone!  Rating 4/5

Decapitated Dan: I LOVE CORBEN!!!!! Wait let me try again, I don’t want to have a short review here… I LOVE CORBEN!!!! Damn it! I did it again. What I really meant to say was… I LOVE CORBEN!!! This issue was fantastic, and incase you missed what I said last time, I don’t really care for Poe stories. Yet Corben did an amazing job on these 2 issues, and made it much more interesting. The artwork… oh the artwork, it is simply GORE-Geous. Page after page, panel after panel, it was just a pure eyegasm. I did not expect to enjoy this mini, but I am so happy I did. So one last time, let me say it again… I LOVE CORBEN!!!!! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Grimm Fairy Tales Vampires: The Eternal #1 (Zenoscope) 
Denise Dutton: An “undead” connecting miniseries that’s a heckuva mouthful of a title.  Here you’ve got Samira’s origin story, and can I say that I’m sick to death with *glk* as a drinking blood comic book “sound”?  When I read that, in my head I hear vampires choking.  Anyway, after the Samira story there’s a tidbit about Van Helsing’s search for Sela.  But I’m not invested in this story.  I can’t help but think that this series in the Grimm universe is just a way to trot out more hot chicks.  And on that note, I can’t stand how they dress Van Helsing like a Steampunk hooker.  Plus, The Extinction Parade does vamps much, much better.  Much.  The good news?  The final pages do have me excited for Screwed #1…. (2/5)

John Carpenter’s Asylum #1 (Storm King Press)
Decapitated Dan: Man, I wish I could have reviewed this one as soon as it came out, because HOLY HELL is it an AGHH-MAZING read!! First of all… Bruce Jones people, BRUCE JONES! The story just comes flying out of the gate and never slows down. You talk about a thrill ride, this is it. But, because of that, there is really no good chance to really get to know the cast. It’s not needed though, because the object of a #1 issue is to grab you, and this story did just that. Now let’s talk about how in love with Manco’s artwork I am…. I LOVE IT! There is not a single page in this book that drops the ball, and do you know how hard that has to be to do panel after panel? To be that consistent, oh man… it’s just to damn good looking. Overall a Balls to the Wall read that will just leave you wanting more, needing more, and now you have to wait a bit to get more. Check this book out! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

The Last Zombie: The End #1 (Antarctic Press)
Decapitated Dan: I’m starting to get sad because this is series is now on the final “chapter” if you will. I really did enjoy the letter that Keene put on the inside cover of this issue, so that had me ready to roll right from the start. I like that this issue takes place a little in the future from what happened last time. This is a great build issue, meaning things are really just being setup, but be prepared because Planters is going to unleash hell on some poor bastards. The artwork is fantastic, and that final page is so GORE-Geous. I love this story, and I can not wait to see what is left in store for this cast. I hope all of you reading this, are reading this title. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Locke & Key: Omega #5 (IDW)
Spaced: With Tyler fighting for his life and Kinsey having to make one of the most difficult decisions she has had to make it seems that Dodge’s plan will soon be realized, but in true Locke & Key style will this ending be in Dodge’s favor? The intensity and emotion that this comic has wielded only gets better and this issue is no exception. The ending is drawing near and the showdown between Dodge and the Locke kids is coming to a close and only a turn of the key can decide their fates.

X-Files #1 (IDW)
Decapitated Dan: I will say this about issue #1, it was creepy. However I think it would have been more fun, if it did not involve the TV show. The artwork is nice, and it really adds to the creep factor. I think Mulder and Scully look great in this book. I just don’t get the concept of bringing them back. The show is long gone, and it’s okay that it is. I don’t think it would be easily accessible to someone new, you would have to know a good chunk of the story so far. So for me, good stuff, but I just think it could be better as something not involving known characters. – Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5.0

Zombolette (Milk Shadow Books)
Decapitated Dan: “Do you know Zombolette? Basically it’s like she is a zombie or something and she lives with an oversized guinea pig named Cameron.” That is the description taken straight off the back of this fantastic collection of short stories. The book is filled with tons of jokes coupled with solid artwork that lends itself so well to the humor. Baccini delivers so much entertainment from page to page, that I found myself stuck in this fantastic world. I can’t lie the joke that stood out to me the most was Cameron (the guinea pig) trying to figure out how to hold a shotgun, it just reminds me of anything with tiny arms trying to use them both at the same time, hahaha! What you get with this book is a comically solid read from start to finish. You can read it in chunks, or be like me and read it all at once. The short stories make it a very accessible read, and one I know I will find myself coming back to over and over again because of the great humor. Fans of Lenore or Johnny the Homicidal Maniac should be just save some time and go buy this book now, because it is right up your alley. A fantastic read combing what I love most, Horror and Comedy Comics. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

 

July 9th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics |

Horror Comic Roundup – 6/18/13

by Decapitated Dan

 

June 27th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 6/11/13

by Decapitated Dan

 

June 25th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics |

Horror Comic Roundup – 6/4/13

by Decapitated Dan

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

Bloody Hell #1 (Boardguy/DriveThru Comics)
Decapitated Dan: Now this is a fantastic anthology. I have to start by just saying how GORE-Geous Wilson’s artwork is. It is seriously to die for. The use of color on two of the 3 stories, made no difference from the black and white one, because it was all so damn good. The stories themselves are amazing too. The first is an adaptation of a Loobecraft story that will chill you to the bone (adapted by Rod Lott). The second story and third stories are so good, matter of fact, this book is just so damn good all around. Stop reading this review and go read it, seriously stop reading this now, your still reading this aren’t you? Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0 

B.P.R.D. Vampire #3 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: If you haven’t been keeping up with the BPRD universe, shame on you. This mini-series in particular has been quite good, and the creative team behind it is very much responsible. We watched Agent Anders in the previous series (BPRD 1948), as he kind of went off the deep end. Well, in this one, Professor Broom has pointed this Agent in a specific direction, and it’s one that includes a centuries old vampire. After figuring out what area to search, Anders befriended one of the locals, and she wants to help him any way she can. The two go exploring and find ancient ruins and caves. Once inside though, they get separated, and Anders must face not only two ghosts, but the vampire he’s been seeking! Mignola, Moon, and Bá have done a great job with the pacing of this tale, and definitely are getting things churning with this issue. The colors of Dave Stewart must be mentioned as well, as he always knows how to set the mood with just the right blend of darks and lights.  Rating  4/5

Decapitated Dan: Okay, so what I missed issue #2, and that is my own fault, but this issue was accessible because I read #1. I loved the scene where Andres comes back, and just opens that huge can of whoop ass. This issue looks so stunning thanks to Bà and Moon. What I take from this is a fun read. It doesn’t carry that real serious tone of Baltimore, but it’s still a very solid read, and with the ending given… it’s only going to get better from here. Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0 

Crossed Badlands #29 (Avatar Press)
Decapitated Dan: Whoa! Lets all welcome Gage to the writing party on Crossed. This issue was a fantastic read from start to finish. I can’t lie, typically with Crossed it can be a little too over the top, but this issue really delivers on the story, and it had me hooked as soon as I was introduced to “Smoky”. This kind of plays off that great concept in Land of the Dead, where you have someone realizing they might not all be stupid. With fantastic artwork by Zanier, this issue is not to be missed. Crossed is getting better and better with each issue! Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: This shorter-story-arcs spinoff has proven to be just as good if not better than the original. Much like the arc in Badlands #19-20 (“Conquers All”) this new story arc by Christos Gage (Absolution) focuses on an Alpha Crossed nicknamed “Smokey” that seems to be able to keep his penchant for mayhem under check…so he can deliver maximum suffering later. It also focuses on a nerdy anthropologist grad turned high school teacher named Oliver and his ability to gauge how the Crossed operate. How will Oliver’s group of survivors fare with a Crossed that can reason? Since this arc is called “Quisling”, things aren’t exactly coming up roses. Great for readers, really sucky for those characters. Not like we’d expect anything else from this deliciously evil series.

Dead Man’s Run #5 (Aspen)
Billy Dunleavy: This is one of those series that for one reason or another has slipped under the radar of most people. It’s quite a shame to, because Greg Pak and Tony Parker are knocking it out of the park! You have a young man and his sister that were delivered to Hell via an automobile accident. He’s a bit of a shyster, but she’s not supposed to be there. We witness what lengths he’ll go to for her to get “topside” again, and the story has another twist to it as well. Hell is basically a prison with many levels, and Sam Tinker and his band of sinners are pretty far down. He’s gathered a few of Hell’s not so nice inhabitants to help rescue his sister, not get killed, and make it back to the surface world. All in a days work, right? Wow, so again. Pak and Parker are doing a fantastic job on this title and other than long gaps in the book shipping out, this book is a winner!  Rating  5/5 

King Conan: The Hour of the Dragon #1 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: Before you say…”Hey, Conan isn’t a horror book”, listen up! In this issue a bunch of rogue mystics made their way into a crypt, and raised a former magician from the grave! These mystics have brought him back for one reason and one reason only. To help them defeat Conan, and destroy him forever! As Conan leads his troops into battle, he’s attacked by this undead magician, and almost killed. He’s Conan though, and he’s not that easy to defeat! Wow, it’s fantastic to see Timothy Truman, Tomás Giorello,  and Jose’ Villarrubia back on a Conan book! This team is responsible for one of the greatest looking hard covers that I’ve ever seen (Conan: Iron Shadows in the Moon), and is fantastic at the recreations of these Robert E. Howard stories. Do yourself a favor, and get out and grab this book, because it’s a thing of beauty.  Rating  5/5

Denise Dutton: Conan is an old man now, but he’s far from feeble. #1 starts off with Conan visiting his first wife Zenobia’s tomb, and then recounting his deeds to a scribe for posterity. So, as you might expect, Conan tells the boy about how he met Zenobia. C’mon, this is Conan we’re talking about, it ain’t gonna be no wine and roses. In fact, things get dicey from the start, when Conan is poisoned just as a huge battle is about to begin. By Crom, this sounds interesting!

Kitty and Batz #1 (Legends of Heroes and Villains, 2011)
Decapitated Dan: Sometimes when you read a first issue of an independent comic you can see the growth within it. I can’t lie that the story started out a little rough with the dialogue, but as the issue progressed Spain and Zerga really started to hit a solid stride. Is it horror, no, but it is a dark comedy that has some great moments in it. The artwork is what stole the show in this first issue. I was a big fan of Zerga’s panel layouts and how the art played out on the pages. The character designs are great, and the comedy within the art helped drive the story. Overall it’s a good start, I can see a growth/learning curve in this issue, so it only means that #2 is going to be even better. Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5.0 

Morbius The Living Vampire #5 (Marvel)
Billy Dunleavy: To say that this series has been a disappointment to long time Morbius fans is a monumental understatement. Hearken back to the times of the magazine Vampire Tales for a moment. You had not only Morbius, but a myriad of other horror characters that made your senses tingle and the artwork made your mouth water. This portrayal might make you run to the bathroom to vomit. Joe Keatinge & company have taken a bloodthirsty vampire and turned him into a street thug that looks like something from a Jay-Z video. A story of hoodlums and the very wimpy villain, The Rose, to make you realize what a mistake it was buying this book. The artwork is mediocre at best.  Rating 1/5

Denise Dutton: An interesting blend of noir and vampire-ness, which is apt since Michael Morbius ain’t your typical vampire. And no, he doesn’t sparkle. Thank god. Trying to stay away from the humans that fuel his experiment-gone-awry need for blood, Morbius ends up becoming an unwitting, unusual hero. But a villain named the Rose may be pulling strings behind the scenes…. I’m not loving the revamp (hah) of Morbius, but it is definitely better than his old Count Dracula In Space outfit. Seriously Marvel; only a very small percentage of the world can carry off a Van Dyke without looking stupid (or douchey). In a world full of quality horror comics, my horror loving tuchas will need more to sink my own teeth into than what writer Joe Keatinge has going on right now. Then again Morbius has always been a villain/antihero rather than a horror comic star. So fans of the scary? Understand that and read if you dare. *bwahahahah*

Next Testament #1 (BOOM!)
Decapitated Dan: I’m not 100% on this being a horror title yet, but man did certain scenes in this issue creep me out. I thought that the story by Barker and Miller was fantastic. It has this great mystery vibe to it, that mixes religion with the strange and odd. The artwork by Jang was solid throughout, but the scenes that really shined were the ones where people literally fell from the sky. While I’m not too sure about what will happen next, I can expect some crazy things to come from this series. An intriguing start, can’t wait to see where it will go. Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: You had me at Clive Barker and Mark Millar y’all. Next Testament is a crazy fever-dream, but it’s got Haemi Jang delivering the gorgeous art (though I do kinda wish that Clive himself had at least drawn the cover…well, maybe in a later issue) that washes over you while the tale unfolds. Pow! Bam! No, it’s not Batman. That’d be your brain as you read it. What’s going on? Not sure, but I damn sure wanna find out. “The world will rejoice. It will have no other option.” Tell me you don’t wanna read this. Yeah you do.

Shadow Hunters #2 (Scattered Comics)
Decapitated Dan: This is just something to throw out there in general for all comic creators, put in a recap page. It has been a while since I read issue #1, so the hardest thing was to remember what happened. The story in #2 does a good job of recalling those memories from my mind of what came before, and it delivers a fun filled action ride. This story fits into the necromancer genre mixed with some comedic elements. The writing by Dube is solid throughout. The artwork by Jordan is booty-ful, as I think it’s safe to say sex sells. The art plays into the humor of the writing at times, but what really shines are the action scenes towards the end. Overall a great issue that will leave the reader wanting more based on the ending. Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Tarot Witch of the Black Rose #80 (Broadsword)
Decapitated Dan: Say what you want about the art of this title, but understand that the story is really great. While the issues that have already come out in the “Dark Spiral” storyline have been better, this one plays on some really good comedy. I thought that the adult themed jokes were very funny, and fit this title oh so well. It was actually a great break in what came before. I know this book is not for everyone, but I am really liking what has been going on with this arc so far. Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Vitriol The Hunter #4 (IDW)
Decapitated Dan: Why on Earth have I not been reading this series? Lets start with the GORE-Geous artwork, and let me emphasize on the gore! It almost shocked me to see this bloody mess in something that looks so animated, all I can say is wow! The writing has moments where it could be stronger, but it’s all tons of fun. I am mad at myself for missing out on everything so far, but hear me now, I will not miss another issue! Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

The Wake #1 (Vertigo)
Billy Dunleavy: An underwater mission that seems text-book but becomes mysterious and creepy in two pages. Yep, that’s what you get with the newest creation from Batman whiz kid Scott Snyder, and artist Sean Murphy. The story has a few different levels to it, and one is a relationship between a mother and her son. This drives the first few pages of the book, but it becomes apparent very quickly, that she’s going to be in for a wild ride once she gets to an underwater facility that houses something never before seen by mankind. This book was difficult to review for one reason. It seems very similar to another story that Image published a year or so ago called “The Vault”. A team of researchers/scientist are in a facility and something unholy is found, and on one knows what to do initially. This story did have some differences, but definitely had the same vibe.  Rating 4/5

Decapitated Dan: This issue was a typical Snyder book for me, the story took soo long to get somewhere, and then at the end BAM, it hooked me! It’s not that it was too wordy, it just didn’t have anything to really grab me until the end, and now I just want more! The artwork by Murphy was great overall, but it me scratching my head on a few panels. I really love the look of the “monster”. The issue took a while to get there, but those last 4 pages really nailed this one in my mind. I can not wait to see what is next. Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: Two words: Scott Snyder. The Wake feels like 20,000 Leagues Under WTF. But Snyder has built a ton of cliffhangers worth following. Dr. Archer, a woman who happens to be an expert on whale sounds but got booted from NOAA anyway, is tapped to assist on an expedition that’s super top-secret. And when she starts to figure out why, it really starts to get freaky, with cavemen, undersea laboratories and what looks like The Creature From The Black Lagoon. The jury isn’t in on my subscribing to this, but so far I definitely want to continue the ride.

 

June 19th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 5/28/13

by Decapitated Dan

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

Crossed Badlands #28 (Avatar Press)
Decapitated Dan: Since it’s original run, I’ve always had a soft spot for Crossed when Garth writes it, so there was no way I was going to miss out on this 4 issue arc. The way this all came together and play out, was fantastic. Yes it’s Crossed so you can expect visuals that are seriously not going to appeal to everyone, but being able to see past that and enjoy a well crafted story is worth it. It’s tough to say this isn’t a respectful love story with how it ended, but it seriously bordered on some good bromance, and that is why it was such a great arc. I loved it all, and this issue brought it all together. Good art, great story, fantastic issue. Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0
 

The Deep Sea (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: Lots of good names attached to this book (Jimmy Palmiotti, Tony Akins, etc.) so it seems as if it would be a “can’t miss”. Well, it was a pretty good story, and although there are a lot of loose ends, hopefully we’ll get more someday. Being a one shot might turn people off if there’s no more in sight. It didn’t really have an ending. The artwork was good, especially the scene where the beast began ripping the crew to shreds! The book felt like a Peter Benchley book mixed with the movie Aliens. Overall decent but if it won’t be continued, not a must buy either.  Rating 3/5
 

Dia de Los Muertos #3 (Image)
Decapitated Dan: I have loved every issue of this mini anthology series so far, but #3 has to be my favorite. First thing I need to say is, Riley you are a F☠☠☠ing Machine! The artwork in this issue shines on the very first story by Rossmo and Grecian. There are no words, but holy hell that story was awesome, and the most “horror” of the bunch. The second story by Wiebe is sad and very heartfelt, it will pull at your black heart strings. Then when you come to the final story by Keatinge, you see how far outside the box someone can think. It was such an off the wall fun adventure, and yet played right into the same theme, yet Riley’s art was so different. This issue, and this series was such a fun take on a central theme. While it wasn’t always horror, it was ALWAYS a perfect read! Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Gray #3 (Image)
Billy Dunleavy: This series has been totally awesome (in my best Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice)! It moves rather quickly but it has to for a mini-series. There’s nothing preventing you from absorbing it all though, as the lead character displays his five different powers that he has at his disposal. Last issue though, his vampiric powers spun out of control, and he was knocked out by a mysterious ally that seems to have some common interests (or enemies) with Fabian. There’s also an even vaguer villain that wants to kill Gray, and has some extraordinary abilities himself. Along with a network of spies and cohorts to do his bidding! This book has an Immortal Iron Fist vibe to it, and anyone that has read that series (Brubaker & Fraction) can attest to its fantastic ability to showcase a new world that was never before seen. Writer Frank J. Barbiere and artist Chris Mooneyham are knocking it out of the park with this mystical noir book!  Rating 4.5/5

Ghostbusters #4 (IDW)
Decapitated Dan: Okay wait… there are new Ghostbusters? Nice! While I didn’t read #1-3 of this series, I honestly felt that #4 was safe. There is a recap explaining what was up, minus the new team members, and everything else just played out so it made sense. I love the banter between the original 4, but having new members be involved, who pretty much have another dynamic on how to run things makes this more entertaining. I love the 2 GB movies, but I was more of a cartoon fan, and Schoening’s style really hits that same vibe for me. This issue was fun, and it had a really creepy moment with the possessed crazy guy, and overall it was just a great read. I can tell you this, I don’t plan on missing another new issue any time soon. Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

GFT Werewolves: The Hunger #1 of 3 (Zenescope)
Billy Dunleavy: Mark Miller has done this genre before, and that was a pretty good effort (Luna: Order of the Werewolf), but this one seemed slightly better due to its cinematic style. It was a bit like a movie most have probably seen, but it still had some great moments of horror that everybody loves to see. A specific scene with some young adults around a campfire that get slashed apart by the werewolf was outstanding! A solid story with artwork to match, and hopefully more of this to come in later issues.  Rating 3.5/5

The Last Zombie: Before the After #5 (Antarctic Press)
Decapitated Dan: Holy ☠☠☠☠! This series just keeps getting better and better with every issue and man, this issue delivered on every level. Keene is giving me one hell of a story, and while the recap covers so much of what came before, you need to go back and read it all. The internal drama of the group is about to come to big turning point, and then BAM, another twist! I was actually sad to see that Perry was not the artist to finish off this arc, but having Hutchison finish it was perfect. Also let me add in some brownie points for mentioning my home town of Joliet! Words can barely do this story justice, and for those who have been onboard for the whole ride so far you know it will only get better from here. Perfect on all fronts! Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

Revival #10 (Image)
Billy Dunleavy: Alright, this series was good for the first five issues or so, but I lost interest nonetheless. Picking up issue ten left me slightly in the dark about some of the characters and the situation with the aliens (or whatever they are). The moments with the sisters are still very good, but the scenes with the redneck townspeople are very cliché, and if that’s what has been the status quo since I last read this, then that can’t be good. The artwork by Mike Norton is absolutely fabulous, and carries the issue, no doubt about that. Seeley really should have just made this a mini-series that wrapped up after eight issues or so, because it seems kind of stale now.  Rating 2.5/5 

The Sixth Gun #31 (Oni Press)
Decapitated Dan: Well I gotta be honest, I am way behind on my Sixth Gun reading, but I don’t want to let another issue get past my eyes. So entering into this issue, I’m about 10 issues behind, but that didn’t really matter too much. The recap page does an amazing job of at least catching me up on what is going on in this awesome issue. As usual this creative team does not miss a beat. Bunn is still crafting an amazing story and the visuals by Hurtt just leave me wanting to see more and more. Yeah I missed some story, but having an issue like this be so interesting and entertains, it just makes me have to go back and get caught up! Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Über #1 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan: I’m not going to lie, I was sold on this book from just reading the solicit, and I had no idea  how it was going to play out. Is it horror in general terms, no, but it is a really cool concept that can easily put the fear into you of what possibly could have been. I also like the idea of the American Forces not being involved yet, just German and British. Gillen’s writing, and short story after the comic, gives American readers another perspective of how the was itself was perceived. I love that about how this issue played out. The artwork by White is solid throughout, and really shines with the help of Digikore Studios, especially in the big 2 page spread of carnage and chaos. This issue was a great start, and I can not wait to read more! Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Wulf and Batsy: Scarifying Tales #1 (Asylum Press/Crypt Logic)
Decapitated Dan: You know how good it feels to have two of your best friends come into town and party it up for a night? That’s what it’s like for me when I get to read new Wulf and Batsy stories. Bryan Baugh delivers once again with these two misunderstood monsters in three short stories. The first short story has to be my favorite of the bunch. It really captured the spirit of W&B, with a great mix of gorey goodness. The second short has the perfect werewolf transformation take place, and it even has a message of not judging a book by its cover. The final short is by far the funniest of the bunch. Baugh’s art and stories are just a solid constant in these hit and miss comic times. His work should be read by all, and your doing yourself a big disservice by not checking it out. Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

 

June 4th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews |

Horror Comic Roundup – 5/21/13

by Decapitated Dan

 

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

 

B.P.R.D. #107 (Dark Horse)

Billy Dunleavy:  If you haven’t been reading BPRD since forever, not only are you missing out on great stories, but you’re also missing out on all sorts of monstrosities killing, attacking, eating everything in their path, Godzilla type action. This issue was no different. It brought everything that’s good about a horror comic. Action, blood, story, intrigue, and a cast of characters that are strong, although unnamed except for Johann (and maybe one other agent), are the reasons to get out and grab this title (and the trades from years past)!  Rating 5/5

 

Decapitated Dan: I’ve never been a big fan of the Hellboy’verse because I was so late to the party, and everything was always done in mini’s (which turned out to just be arcs). Anyways that is all nonsense now because this issue was awesome. While the only cast I really know are those I recognize from the movies, it didn’t seem to really matter with this issue. Brilliant visuals by Campbell make this one eye pleasing issue, but it really is driven by the story. Safe enough to jump in on, trust me I know, and more then enough to have you hooked. It really reminded me of The Fog (the newer version) because of it’s depressing, see nothing good coming tone. Overall great issue and who knows, this might be what it takes to finally get me on the B.P.R.D. train… CHOO CHOO!!!!!! – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

Constantine #3 (DC)

Decapitated Dan: This sucks, not the book, but the overall situation. I bet you I would really be enjoying this book if it starred someone other character or maybe even a new character. The writing is good, the art is agh-mazing, but it’s John Constantine, the man, the myth, the mother f*=\ing leader of DC Horror, and this just doesn’t feel right. ::Decap steps aside:: Okay let’s try really hard to look at this through new eyes. What this issue and series have done so far is make Constantine accessible, however it’s so heavy on DC magic, that it can be daunting. It’s even harder to write a review when you know in your cold dead heart how the character should be. Look it’s not horrible, but it’s not for me. I love Hellblazer, and I just can’t get past that bias on this one. I see what’s great about this book, but imagine your best friend for 30 years was taken away, and you were given his clone… wait, is this what Spider-man fans felt when Ben Reily was around? – Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5.0

 

Denise Dutton: John is back in London, and it’s a blast watching how he reacts to re-entry.  But he’s got stuff to find and scores to settle, and he does it in his usual indomitable way.  I worried that the “New 52” rebranding would take the edge off of this character, but so far it looks like I needn’t have worried.  This is fast becoming my favorite new series.  Just do me a favor, DC; jettison the silly “Channel 52” segments that have been tacked onto each issue.  They’re out of place with this particular series, especially since many horror fans don’t follow superheroes.

 

Doomsday.1 #1 (IDW)

Billy Dunleavy: OK, when something is solicited with John Byrne writing and on art, you might as well check it out. This book was pretty good even though a very slow read. A bunch of astronauts are at a space station, and a solar flare destroys most of the life on Earth while they’re there. They touch ground after a rocky landing, and well, that’s about it. Solid artwork, but a very slow burn on this one. There was some interesting dialogue between a priest (or the Pope?) and some other clerics, and maybe that will pan out and get the story going in a more exciting direction next issue.  Rating 2/5

 

The Dream Merchant #1 (Image)

Billy Dunleavy: The creative team on this book (writer Nathan Edmondson, artist Konstantin Novosadov) is unfamiliar to me, but they definitely know how to craft a good mystery story. In this issue, we see a young man who has problems with his sleeping habits. So much so that he gets committed to a mental institution. While there, a doctor hypnotizes him and instead of his usual recurring dream, it changes. He’s approached by a robed figure this time, and the story just gets crazier after that. Good use of dreams and there mysterious nature in this book.  Rating 3.5/5

 

The Eighth Seal #2 (Thrillbent/Comixology)  

Billy Dunleavy: The second installment of this digital series (the first was incredible) brought us even more of the First Lady’s insane mind that seems to be overworked…or is it? A scene in a bathroom that showed her looking into a mirror and seeing a demonic type creature instead of her reflection was quite disturbing. She seems to be losing control of her mind, but that might be the least of her worries. Her husband, the President of the United States, is unaware that she’s having these issues, but it looks like he’ll be made aware, very soon.  Rating 4/5

 

The Fall of the House of Usher #1 (Dark Horse)

Billy Dunleavy: Big Poe fan, not a big Corben fan (artwork). This story and adaptation however is great! Corben actually combined this Poe story with another (certain aspects of “The Oval Portrait” were used here) and what an eccentric creation it is. You get a morbid man, a creepy looking house, and a girl scared to death of her circumstances. Oh, and a very ominous looking butler as well! Throw all of this together, plus coffins with corpses, and a death in the last pages, and you get a solid book!  Rating 3/5

 

Decapitated Dan: I’ve always been a big Corben fan, but also never a big Poe fan, so before reading this I didn’t know how I was going to feel at the end. As expected the visuals are just to die for. Corben is in that elite class or creators and it shows here, it’s no wonder he is a Ghastly Award Winner. The story, which I vaguely recall from high school, is actually a lot of horror fun. There is this really creepy tone to it, and the visuals certainly lend a hand in that. Overall what I walk away with is that this was an awesome issue. Will it make me go read more Poe, no, but it will make me read all the Poe stories that Corben wants to adapt. – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

Fearless Dawn: The Secret of the Swamp (Asylum Press)

Decapitated Dan: Oooohhh Baby I love me some Fearless Dawn! Is it sad that I just realized how much Mannion’s style reminds me of Powell’s ‘the Goon’? By that I mean that the art is kinda similar, and it has this great classic throwback feel to the story telling. So with this single issue, the reader is treated to a great 12 page story, and then some fang-tactic back up material. I love Mannion’s artwork & humor and how it translates to comic pages. Even though the main story was short, the short stories were amazing. This book was a serious steal for the price, and if u missed it, you really missed out. Just do yourself a favor and go buy this book now, agh-mazing all around… LOVE IT!!! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

 

Fubar: FCBD (Fubar Press)

Decapitated Dan: The greatest thing about the Fubar series is that it doesn’t just focus on zombies and one specific war. This issue does a fantastic job of spreading the undead love over various conflicts, and best of all it was free for everyone to pick up! The artwork on all of the stories was solid as hell, with ‘Jack of Spades’ leading the way. Like I already mentioned the stories cover 5 different wars, and the biggest shocker was the Cold War story ‘The Buzzard’. Topping my favorite on the story list though was ‘Valley Forge’. Overall this was a steal for a free comic, and it was packed full of great stories. If you missed it, find a copy, because anything with the Fubar title should be sitting in your collection. – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

Grave Tales #7 (Cemetery Dance Productions)

Decapitated Dan: I’m shocked dear readers, shocked to have issue #7 in my bloody hands to read, because I was afraid this book had been sent to the comic book afterlife. This issue does not skip a beat from where there Agh-mazing anthology had left off. The first story by Joe Hill was fantastic (it is based on a story by Peter Crowther). It had the perfect amount of setup and delivered so perfectly at the end. However Hill was not the big star of this short story, it was artist Jake Allen who stole the show. Plain and simple his artwork was GORE-Geous, and I plead that if you have not seen his work before you seek some out. The second story was a terrific Werewolf tale by Ed Gorman and William Renfro. ‘The Jungle’ had so much story to deliver, that it felt like I was reading a 36 page book. With the ending this team delivered I can only hope that there is more to come. This anthology is a real treat to comic fans. In a way it feels more like it belongs next to anthology titles like Gore Shriek and Twisted Tales because of how well done it is. Do yourself a big favor and find a copy of this book today! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

 

Grimm Fairy Tales: Unleashed #1 (Zenescope)

Denise Dutton: Sela and Liesel Van Helsing don the usual bimbo suits to fight a whole mess of baddies that have escaped from the banishment back in #0.  Gorgeous art and colors take some of the sting out of seeing so many unnecessary upskirt shots.  Bonus points for a Stephen King reference and a surprise battle pal, but it doesn’t save a wobbly, bloated start to this miniseries.  With Unleashed a jumping-off point for a blow-out expansion of the Grimm universe, here’s hoping #2 has less talky-talk about Old Magic and more monsters.

 

 Helheim #3 (Oni Press) 

Decapitated Dan: Okay now we are getting somewhere. All of that stuff that was really missing from the first 2 issues, shows up here in #3, and it makes everything that has come before so much better. As a matter of fact, after reading this issue, I went back and reread #1 and #2, and the experience was top notch. I really love this concept, and love how it is coming to life. Basically you have 2 witches fighting it out and not caring what gets in their way. In terms of the artwork, there are some GORE-Geous battle scenes here that were pulling at my horror filled heart. While this does seem to be more on the Adventure Horror side, it’s still has some great monster moments. All I know is that from here on out this book is going to be at the top of my reading pile, great stuff! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0 

 

Insane Tales from the Dead #1 (Caustic Comics)

Decapitated Dan: Welcome to the dark underground not often seen side of Horror Comics. This a an amazing collection of Terrifying and Macabre tales that will easily leave the reader with nightmares for years to come. The creative teams behind these stories deserve some applause because they take the typical presentation of a horror comic and throw it through a blender, while still making it highly enjoyable. I think out of this entire collection I enjoyed the story ‘Fly Trap’ the best. I thought that Randazzo delivered his best art on story telling on this story. The art of Todarello and Schumacher were great too, and as a whole this book shows what can be accomplished visually when everyone is on the same page. So what you have here is a mix of gore and terror that is sure to leave you wanting more. The Underground Horror Comic scene is still alive and kicking, and this book is proof of that. So do you have the guts to dive in? – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

Night of the Living Dead: Aftermath #8 (Avatar)

Decapitated Dan: Now this is what I really, really, really like about zombie books, STORY! Hine is crafting something here that is a ton of fun to read, and it makes me really think about what I would do in this particular situation. Of course we have to wonder how out protagonists are going to get out of this mess, but that just adds to the great suspense Hine is building here. The book is also full of some GORE-Geous visuals by Chaparro, emphasis as always on the Gore part of that. I really liked the scenes where things were being tested out. Overall I really like this series, and any zombie lover should be checking it out too, great stuff! – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

 

Unstitched: Abstract Visions in Bloodstains (Purple Pudding Comics)

Decapitated Dan: I’m sorry to everyone who has not seen the work of Lee Davis before, because it is GORE-Geous. The artwork has a serious life of its own, and can stand out from anything horror you have ever seen. Look at that cover, look at that monster on the second to last page, ugh! The only things that will even come close are Vasquez and Dirge work from old school Slave Labor comics. Now all that aside we have to take a look at Davis’ writing, and I will admit it is a little rough, but it’s still solid overall. While I do think he could use another demon on his shoulder in terms of how it reads, it’s still really good and beyond creepy. No other way to sum it all up then, Davis’ work is something you should look for and read on a regular basis. I personally have felt life complete since I have seen his work, and I only think it will grow from here. – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

The Walking Dead #110 (Image)

Denise Dutton: Yeah, I almost gave up on TWD at issue #100 too.  It broke my ragged little heart.  But I trusted that Kirkman had a vision for what was next, and so far the Negan storyline is feeling like The Governor Part Deux.  But I’m liking new character Ezekiel, and hello…TIGER!  Plus, it looks like Michonne may have a new reason to live?  A zombie-free issue, which is a bummer; all the strange machinations here3 seem forced, as if to draw out what will be coming because the writers themselves have no idea.  But hey, lookit the tiger!  Let’s hope #111 gets the crew back on track.

 

Westwood Witches #1 (Amigo Comics)

Decapitated Dan: So before I started reading this I said to myself, “witches huh?” After reading this I am now saying, “witches, hell yeah!” I really had no idea of what to expect from this story, other then I’m not super into witch stories, this issue made me rethink that. The story starts off kinda blah, but then you find out why, because the main character is writing a book, and even he makes fun of it. From there the story really takes off. I found myself being sucked into this world and I did not want to leave. The artwork is good, it has a great mood for the story , and that big ass demon is so great looking. Overall I loved this book, and with that ending, it’s setting up a big mystery to be unraveled. I am highly recommending this issue and I can only hope the rest of the story plays out this well. – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

 

 

June 3rd, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics |

Horror Comic Roundup – 5/14/13

by Decapitated Dan

 

May 30th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics |

Horror Comic Roundup – 5/7/13

by Decapitated Dan

Welcome to the Horror Comic Roundup! Join Decapitated Dan,  Billy Dunleavy and friends each week as they review new and old Horror Comics that you will either be dying to read or terrified to check out!

’68 Jungle Jim #2 (Image)

Decapitated Dan: Oh man I LOVE THIS SERIES! I can not get over how awesome the concept is, and if you don’t know what I mean by that please go listen to my interview with writer Mark Kidwell on Episode #2 of Monsters &Metal. I will say that this issue was a lot more build into explaining the main cast, but when I got to that tiger scene I was ready to throw some punches to. Zornow’s art is GORE-Geous on every panel. Plain and simple read ’68, this series, the previous 2, the one shots, who cares which ones… READ ’68! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

Apocalypse Man #1 (Sun Bros Studios)
Decapitated Dan: Ok #1, this has to be the greatest cover of the year! I’m a sucker for an awesome alligator cover and this book delivered that. I think the best way to sum up this issue is, what a twist. I did not see that coming, and had to read it twice to make sure there was no way to see it coming. Great writing on this book. The concept is great too. What are the eggs damn it?! What are they! I need to know more, I really do, and I need to know soon. The GORE-Geous artwork, which you can easily fall in love with just based on the cover, is perfect throughout the issue. This book is a perfect combination of two talented creators, it just so happens they are brothers. If this is a one shot then I am really happy how it all played out. If this is a mini series or ongoing though, I’m gonna need more really fast. Fantastic stuff, you need to check this book out. Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

Colonized #2 (IDW) 

Decapitated Dan: This book puts me in a very tough spot. One the one hand I love the concept and artwork. One the other hand the story just seems to have holes in it, and way too much is going on way to fast. After reading this issue twice, I’m not saying I won’t read anymore of it, I just think it could be simplified a little. How is it Aliens land on earth, and no one is really that terrified? They are all more worried about the zombies. I do love a zombie sheep though, that was awesome along with the cows. Overall it’s not a bad read, but I just think it’s too much going on at the moment. – Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5


FRIGHTFEAST #2 (FRIGHTFEAST Comix)

Decapitated Dan: Have you ever listened to a really bad ass Death Metal song, music that has a killer sound but vocals that you probably can’t understand, but just don’t care because it’s awesome?

 That kid of sums up Fright Feast #2. This book is bad ass balls all over the walls gore-filled horror fun. The artwork is beyond amazing, and I think that the artist needs to start doing every single Death Metal CD cover from now until the end of time. Yeah, the visuals are not for the faint of heart, but I think anyone who enjoys gore horror movies would really dig this book. To lend a hand those movie lovers out there, the story reads like a fantastic B-Movie. I didn’t think that the opening scene really fit into the overall story, but everything else was fang-tastic. If you love underground comics and/or gorey horror films you need to check this book out. Always an awesome job by Creator Mark K. – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5



Haunted Horror #4 (IDW)
Billy Dunleavy: To say that series is great would be an understatement. IDW has brought these age old stories back from the dead, and done a fantastic job with that indeed. You get a whopping seven stories in this issue, and each one had a unique take on something terrifying. The story about the possessed puppet was the one that stood out. It was creepy and the artwork was equally as macabre. Another tale, that involved locusts and harpies, and then one about a man-eating plant, were also very solid. Again, overall the entire book was gold but those stories definitely were head and shoulders above the rest. – Rating 5 out of 5


Decapitated Dan: I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. I think that Yoe, Gussoni and our very own Steve Banes, do an amazing job choosing stories that all work very well together. As odd as it sounds to call old reprints fresh, this book really is a breath of fresh “old” air. The amount of story you used to get for cover price is amazing compared to today’s standards, and this comic will show you why. My favorite story was probably the final story “Terror on the TV”. It might look like a simple concept today, but place yourself in 1954 and think about it, yeah, you crapped your pants. I love this title, I love what it is bringing to the comic public, and all I can say is read it, you will be glad you did. – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

Justice League Dark #19 (DC)
Billy Dunleavy: I’ve only read a few issues of this series, but when I have, it’s been amazing. The creative team (Lemire, Fawkes, Janin, & Cifuentes) do a fantastic job with the story and visuals. Constantine is attacked, and this causes him to lose his connection with the House of Mystery. He calls on his team (Frankenstein, Madame Xanadu, Deadman) to help, but first they must find the house. To do that, they must coax an unwilling Swamp Thing into helping them! An appearance by the Flash, and then a big reveal of the villain at the end make this book a winner!– Rating 4 out of 5

Ten Grand #1 (Image)

Decapitated Dan: Ok, I don’t love detective books, I really don’t. However the concept of this one is great. There was a perfect mix of build and mystery that I can not wait for issue #2 to come out. I’ve always been a fan of JMS’s comic work, and I think this one is bordering on being the next big thing from Image. Lastly those visuals by Templesmith, just melted my eyes right out of the socket. Awesome start! – Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5

The Eighth Seal #1 (Comixology)  
Decapitated Dan: 
I don’t know what to say other then, WOW! That scene where she was reading the book just blew me away. The best way to view that scene is to just tap like crazy on your reading device, because it is so animated. MAN I LOVED THAT!!!! I am really loving this concept and the  fantastic execution of everything so far. A perfect horror read that I can not wait to read more of! I need more now!!! – Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

 

May 21st, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics, Horror Art |

The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania – Review

by Decapitated Dan

Issue: The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania
Writer: Tracey Miller-Zarneke, Genndy Tartakovsky
Artist: Various
Publisher: Titan Books
Release Date: October 2010
Price: $34.95

“The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania brings to (undead) life a fresh new spin on the classic horror monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, the Mummy, Werewolf, and the Invisible Man from Sony Pictures Animation and director Genndy Tartakovsky – creator of Samurai Jack and executive producer and director of Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series.”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
Okay everyone, I need you to close your eyes, take a deep breath and prepare for what you are about to read. Yes that is right, it is not a horror comic book review, but a review of a book based on a horror themed movie. AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey I can read books, as long as they have pictures, and let me tell you, this book has some GORE-Geous visuals. basically what we have here is a breakdown on the art from the movie Hotel Transylvania. Each character in the movie has their own little section that includes some great commentary by Tracey Miller-Zarneke and Genndy Tartakovsky, as well as the designs, story boards and renderings of the cast. I have to say that my favorite part is seeing the whole process and how they went from concept to final design. On a design basis alone, this book is laid out beautifully. I think any fan of the movie would want to have this on their shelf, and I don’t mean just the die-hard fans, I mean every fan. I also think that anyone wanting to get a great behind the scenes look at how much time and work go into an animated film would want to read this one. Some great in-depth coverage of how it all went down. Sadly this reviewer has yet to see this movie. You better believe that my interest was piqued when I saw the trailers, but now I am just dying to go see it. This is a fantastic resource that will make everyone say AHHHH!!!!!!

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about The Art and Making of Hotel Transylvania you can find it at http://titanbooks.com

 

May 7th, 2013 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Decapitated Dan Reviews, Graphic Novels & Comics |

The Lovecraft Anthology: Volume 2

by Decapitated Dan

Issue: The Lovecraft Anthology: Volume 2
Writers: Various
Artist: Various
Publisher: SelfMade Hero
Release Date: October 2012
Price: $19.95

“A graphic anthology of tales from the renowned master of the eerie. Building on the success of the first volume, it showcases the talents of a new roster of adapters and artists. The anthology includes reflections on the terrible power of art in ‘Pickman’s Model’ and ‘The Picture in the House’, the ghoulish grave robbing of ‘The Hound’ and the otherworldly monstrosities which come ‘From Beyond’. This collection reveals the nightmare worlds of Lovecraft’s imagination, exploring themes of forbidden knowledge and insanity in tale after tale of unsettling horror.”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
I have row emit that I am enjoying more and more Lovecraft material these days. I do still consider myself to be a newbie though. This collection contains 9 amazing stories guarantee to give you the chills. Every single story has GORE-Geously stunning and unique artwork. No two stories really look alike. Of course I have to mention that two of my all time favorite artists can be found here, Steve Pugh and Bryan Baugh. I honestly feel that every artist was able to capture the horror of their stories. Speaking of the stories, these are some really creepy and out there tales. One thing that always scares me when reading a Lovecraft adaptation is that I might not get it right away. Yes that happened on two of these stories, but it didn’t take anything away from the overall read. If anything it lends itself to how well they are written. With stories from the amazing Jamie Delano, Pat Mills and Dwight Macpherson, this book really seems to have it all. Okay, so I know you want to know which stories I liked the best, so my top thee are going to be “The Festival”, “The Hound” and “Pickman’s Model”. Every story in the book is great. I think if you are looking to start reading some Lovecraft comics this is a safe pickup. I also think that if you are a Lovecraft fan then this is perfect for you as well. Needless to say this collection is fantastic, and it should be in your horror collection already. So now that you know, go buy it, you will not be disappointed.

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about The Lovecraft Anthology: Volume 2 you can find it at http://www.selfmadehero.com/