Hey there Boils and Ghouls. Welcome back to another installment of the Dark Delights. This week we dive into the dungeon of reviews and take a look at Rotten #1, Last Resort #1, Twisted Tales of Terror #1, Blokes Tomb of Horror #1, Rod Espinosa’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow #1, School: A Ghost Story Collected Vol. 1, 28 Days Later #3 and Halloween Man: Super Deformed.
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Issues: Rotten #1 & 2
Writers: Mark Raner, Robert Horton
Artists: Dan Dougherty
Letters: Tom Long, Sean Konot
Publisher: Moonstone
Release Dates: July & August 2009
Pages: 52, 28
Price: $5.99, $3.99
“A new twist on Zombies with action, horror, and the uncomfortably recognizable in the old West! A stop-lossed Army vet. A president in office without the popular vote. A terror crisis gripping the nation! Meet William Wade, newly minted – and seriously resentful – secret agent for President Rutherford B. Hayes. His mission with cerebral partner J.J. Flynn: travel the West and investigate outbreaks of the living dead – each one more horrifyingly advanced than the last. For Wade, 1877 is turning out to be one rotten year.
A girl’s bizarre condition has polarized a town. Is she alive or dead? Her family will do anything for her, and a seriously injured Agent Wade is their captive. Only his wits and a ticking clock stand between him and the ravenous thing the girl has become. Meanwhile, Agent Flynn rides the countryside in a ruthless search for him. It’s horror and suspense like you’ve never seen in the Old West!“
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
I really like the artwork in this series so far. The character designs look nice and stay solid from panel to panel. The zombies shine too. I love a nicely drawn zombie; it just makes you smile. The coloring works very nicely which I think at times you can find overdone with people just going for blood effects everywhere. Nice job so far!
Story: 3.4 out of 5
Here’s my beef, I love the action sequences but the rest of the book is a lot of talk. Now that’s not bad at all, because spending $4 with no actual story is idiotic. However I think that the story parts are too boring. It seems as if there is buildup to a point and then it just flat lines. You get some good Western points and some nice horror points but I can not seem to jump on board 100% just yet. I will say issue #2 was more interesting than #1. So I hope it can maintain that upward shift.
Dying Breath: 3.6 out of 5
Mixing genres here works, but needs to be more exciting. I like what the main idea is, I just want to see it pick up on the action more. The artwork is gore-geous, I just think at the moment it is what is selling me on this series and I would like to see it get more of a balancing act going on.
If you would like to buy Rotten you can probably get it at your LCS or get it through Haven. To find out more about Moonstone please go to http://www.moonstonebooks.com/
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Issue: The Last Resort #1
Writer: Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray
Artist: Giancarlo Caracuzzo
Letters: Chris Mowry
Editors: Scott Dunbier
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: July 2009
Pages: 24
Price: $3.99
“A zombie epic that pays homage to 1970s exploitation films and disaster movies like Airport and Towering Inferno. In an entertaining and darkly over-the-top celebration of gore and sex, The Last Resort transforms a Caribbean paradise into a biological wasteland populated with homicidal flesh-eating vacationers!“
Artwork: 3.8 out of 5
The interior artwork on this series has its moments if you ask me. I can find myself loving one panel then hating the next. Luckily I liked a lot more than I didn’t like. The covers are what I love the most, especially the Darwyn Cooke one. Yummy! Overall I’m a fan of the look of what’s going on and I think it fits well with the genre.
Story: 4.0 out of 5
This is a first issue I can read over and over. It has all the strong points I look for; a nice intro that’s not too heavy, some good action scenes and a cliffhanger ending. A great job on going from point A to point B. You get a small but good understanding of the main cast and how they get to the island they will probably all die on. I love it!
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I love what is going on here. I am starting to notice series’ paying more attention to their first issues, whether it be through the art that gets you to grab it off the shelf or the nice plot development inside. Zombies and tourists are a great combo and I am ready to expand on some more carnage after this great ending.
If you would like to buy The Last Resort you can probably find it at your LCS. To find out more about IDW please go to http://www.idwpublishing.com/
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Issue: Twisted Tales of Terror #1
Writers: Terence Muncy, Scott Guffey, Grant Gutzmer, Chris Bailey, Jeremiah Buckel, Master Legion
Artists: Terence Muncy, Grant Gutzmer, Chris Bailey, Jeremiah Buckel, Master Legion
Letters: Lucy Van Horne
Editor: Spider C. Guffey
Publisher: Legion Studios
Release Date: June 2009
Pages: 56
Price: $5.99
“A huge 56 pages of four separate terrifying stories brought to you by Terence Muncy, Grant Gutzmer, Chris Baley, and MasterLegion. TTT is set to a reminiscence of old school horror from the days of the old. Along with several horror pin-ups from such artists as Jeremiah Buckel, Ben Harly, and many more.“
Artwork: 3.8 out of 5
The interior artwork for this anthology was really nice. I felt that each story had a unique feel to it. The gray’s worked very well to bring out a nice final presentation. I personally enjoy Mater Legion’s artwork, as I have reviewed his stuff before. Overall a very, very nice looking issue.
Story: 3.8 out of 5
On the same page as the artwork, the stories here were all very good reads. I honestly didn’t think that any one in particular stood out above the rest. Just a great issue all around.
Dying Breath: 3.8 out of 5
With the amount of anthologies out there it can be difficult to know which ones are good and which ones aren’t. Luckily you came here to seek my advice, because this one is good. The artwork and stories are nice and solid all the way through. This is the proper way to put an anthology together. Great issue.
If you would like to buy Twisted Tales of Terror or find out more about Legion Studios please go to http://www.legionsden.com/
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Issue: Blokes Tomb of Horror #1
Writers: Jason Crawley, Anthony Ruggiero, Enrico Teodorani
Artists: Fernando Ignatius, Ju Gomez, Anthony Ruggiero, Manolo, Wulf
Letters: Jason Crawley, Anthony Ruggiero, Enrico Teodorani
Publisher: Virus Comix
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 40
Price: $3.99
“The first issue in an ongoing series of anthologies from Virus Comix featuring work from regular contributors along with that of other artists and writers who have joined forces to bring you a collection of tales to send shivers down your spine and to make you think twice before you enter the realm of the Tomb of Horror!“
Artwork: 4.1 out of 5
The artwork in this issue is amazing. I couldn’t decide on one style to like over another. I just loved everyone’s work. If I had to pick one I would go with Fernando Ignatius, I am such a fan of the cartoonish style. The other strong point here on the art is the shading. Each story pops off the pages very well. A perfect look for this book.
Story: 3.8 out of 5
While the artwork was on point I didn’t feel that the writing was quite there just yet. I think that Jason Crawley’s writing is improving very nicely, especially if you compare his two stories in this issue. With Anthony Ruggiero’s story I was interested up until the end where I thought it was a little bit rushed. Overall though the stories do complete the issue nicely and you won’t be cut short.
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
This is how to start off an anthology issue right. The artwork will draw you in and the stories are good enough to keep your focus on the book. While I think that the artwork shines above the actual stories, I know that there is more in store. That being said I hope that with issue #2 and beyond this series continues to grow and develop. This issue is a great starting point. Awesome stuff.
If you would like to buy Blokes Tomb of Horror #1 you can go to indyplanet.com or at http://viruscomix.ning.com/
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Issue: Rod Espinosa’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow #1
Writer: Washington Irving
Artist: Rod Espinosa
Editors: Doug Dlin, Wes Hartman
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 28
Price: $3.99
“Gather ’round, all! Antarctic’s master storyteller, Rod Espinosa (Courageous Princess, Neotopia, Dracula, Tell-Tale Heart), will put a pleasant chill in your veins this Halloween as with his own special spin on the classic, all-American scary-tale by Washington Irving! All is quiet in a pleasant little New York village in Sleepy Hollow until the new schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, arrives. Everyone’s all impressed with his education and intelligence, and he’s all too happy to take advantage of it. But when he sets his sights on the village beauty, someone decides to teach the schoolmaster a lesson, one that leaves Crane fleeing for his very life from the Headless Horseman!“
Artwork: 3.7 out of 5
Here’s my only downside to the interiors on this issue: Brom Bones looks like Yao Ming. Otherwise it has a nice Anime style to it, which makes it unique. I would have liked smaller panels;q that way the story could have gone into more detail as well, but with what was presented it all worked out nicely.
Story: 4.2 out of 5
So just to get it out there, this is one of my favorite short stories of all time; I have been a fan for as long as I can recall What is better than taking the words from Washington Irving himself? Don’t grab this issue looking to get a new twist on the concept. Grab it because you love what the creator meant it to be. The only thing I would have enjoyed a bit more was more of the original story presented, but the way it was pieced together worked out great.
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
This story is a classic. While I thought that I might get a new take on it, I was very pleased not to. I really feel that this issue as a whole is a nice condensed version that leaves nothing out. The artwork is unique to it, as I wouldn’t expect his style to fit the genre, but it does. While I think that people who love Washington’s stories will enjoy this one more, I think that it is a classic horror tale that can live on for many years to come.
If you would like to buy Rod Espinosa’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow you can get it at your local comic shop. To find out more about Antarctic Press please go to http://www.antarctic-press.com/
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Issue: School: A Ghost Story Collected Vol. 1
Writer: Brian Defferding
Artists: Brian Defferding
Letters: Brian Defferding
Publisher: Deftoons! Cartooning and Comics
Release Date: 2009
Pages: 144
Price: $18.00
“This collects the first four issues of the critically-acclaimed independent horror series School: A Ghost Story. Lindsay Buckner is a twelve-year-old girl in a small river town in Wisconsin. In one morning of horror, she wakes up as to what she believes to be as a ghost inside an elementary school, with her arms and waist covered in blood. She has no recollection of how she died, when she died or who did it – almost completely amnesiac of how she got there. She needs to find out exactly what happened to her in the last moments of her life while in this elementary school that she’s trapped inside. Meanwhile, there are other ghosts with tentacles and hollow eyes who want to devour the one thing Lindsay has left – her soul. Between a hard life, a hard death and an even more painful afterlife, Lindsay is on the brink of oblivion. This series is part murder mystery, part gothic horror, and completely different from what you have ever seen. Take a journey with Lindsay down the path to darkness, where the abyss will pull you in – forever.“
Artwork: 4.1 out of 5
There is something so unique and ugly about the look of this book. I just love it! The art style is so different that you wouldn’t be able to forget it if you wanted to. I love the shading and coloring used as well. The first thing that I thought of while looking at the first few pages were a mix of Invader Zim and Ahh! Real Monsters. The action sequences are really cool and the overall look of the characters from panel to panel is very nice.
Story: 4.0 out of 5
The story is just as unique here. It has a real different feel to it. It comes off at times as very child like, where things are explained in a nice simple manner. Then out of nowhere you realize you were being tricked and you’re really reading an adult style comic. I love that about it. The only other time I have seen this was when I read Mercy Me. I think the premise is very cool and the dialogue is great. The way Brian is writing it also leaves it open to a good deal of possibilities.
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
This is a fantastic start to this series. I already find myself just sitting here saying, “When can I get the next one?” The story and art are unique and can easily stand out in a crowd. What is taking place here is exciting and original and has really grabbed my attention. Check this one out, it is worth every penny.
If you would like to check out School: A Ghost Story you can go to http://www.deftoons.com/
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Issue: 28 Days Later #3
Writer: Michael Alan Nelson
Artist: Declan Shalvey
Cover Artists: Tim Bradstreet, Sean Phillips
Publisher: Boom Studios
Release Date: October 2009
Pages: 24
“The film that changed horror forever continues here! It doesn’t matter who you are or what you did; if you are infected, Selena will give no mercy. Selena teaches the rest of her team the cold, hard truth of what it takes to survive in the UK after the infection has spread. Will they learn? They must.“
Another amazing set of covers to choose from on this one. I just love the way both of them turned out. The interiors are right on pace with the other two issues, and the coloring of fire in the action scenes is awesome. The artwork is great but we got less gore-filled panels in this one.
Story: 3.7 out of 5
This issue starts off at a good pace, but never seemed to slow down. I think it took me maybe 5 minutes to read the entire issue. It’s not a bad thing though as the story progressed well and solid dialogue showed the frustration between the crew. Plus a nice cliff hanger ending just makes me want to get #4 right now.
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Issue: Halloween Man: Super Deformed
Writer: Drew Edwards
Artists: Nicola Scott, Scott D.M. Simmons, David Baldeon, Ben Hall, Mike Furth, Terry Parr, Daniel Lundie, Sergio Abad
Colors: Jesse Farrell, Brian J. Crowley
Letters: Jesse Farrell, Brian J. Crowley
Editor: Russell Hillman
Publisher: Drew Edwards
Release Date: September 2009
Pages: 112
Price: $16.99
I really like the styles used in all of these stories. They all seem very consistent with one another even though different artists were used. The coloring really stands out though. The pages are nice and vibrant and this is an amazing looking little collection.
Story: 4.0 out of 5
I really enjoyed the progression of this book. It started of very raw and just developed more and more page after page. It is nice and kinda cool to read something where you can actually see Drew narrowing in on his own style and voice. I like the concept too. It’s a cool idea to take the classic monsters and give them a universe where they are divided as heroes and villains. Then you also have the inner struggles of Halloween Man as he decides where he belongs. Plus there is nice dialogue between characters that is full of plot progression and humor.
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I think Last Resort and Sleepy Hollow are the best covers out of that group. Oh and BTW DD, I voted for the awards. Very cool website.
I didn’t even know this many horror comics existed.
I’ve been debating on if I want to pick up the 28 Days Later books, I thought the movies were enjoyable just don’t think I’d be committed for an entire series.