Hey there Boils and Ghouls. Welcome back to another installment of the Dark Delights. This month we dive into the dungeon of reviews and take a look at ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead, Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors #1, Priest Volume 1, Dampyr Book 1, Hellsing Volume 1 and Daffodil #3.
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Issue: ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead
Creators: Lance Erlick, Joe Haley, Shawn McManus, Matt Talbot, Anthony Schiavino, Jason Copland, Jack Herman, Neil Vokes, Matty Field, Ed Foster, Steven Finch, Jerry Morrissette, Tony Donley, Narek Gevorgian, Steve Jones, Veronica Hebard, Matt Roberts, Olli Hihnala, Tomm Cokers, Joshua Morrissette, Dean Beattie, Paul Maybury, Tom Whalens, Joshua Andrew Belanger, Geoff Mosse, Lawrence Basso, Jamie Head, Rich Woodall, Adam Miller
Edited & Art Directed: Adam Miller, Rich Woodall
Publisher: Terminal Press
Release Date: March 2010
Pages: 64
Price: $10
“The reanimated brainchild of Adam Miller and Rich Woodall, “ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead” is the first in a series of ZombieBomb! anthologies featuring top creators putting their spin on the cranium-chomping, lumbering legends. Each creative team involved has crafted their own unique interpretation of the subject matter, ensuring fans a diverse and original experience. From classic horror to offbeat alternative to whimsical comedy, the stories and artwork manage to breathe life into the undead and keep the rotting corpses fresh.“
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
WOW! There is alot of really nice artwork in this collection. From the realistic style of Lance Erlick to the great black and whites by Neil Voke, I think it is safe to say there is something for everyone here. The story serves as a counterpart for each artist, as they all have a great unique style that sets every short apart from the next. This is a great collection of artists working on a fantastic anthology.
Story: 4.0 out of 5
The stories are all unique and none really touch on the same subjects. This makes this collection a very great piece for a reader as you’re not fed the same thing over and over. I love the quick one page story by Joe Haley, because it is something I never really thought of. A fun read from start to finish.
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
With the abundance of anthologies out there it is tough to know which ones are worth it. I liked this one because it tackled the zombie genre in a great way. The artists and writers all came in with some solid work and it is what makes this one a great book to grab if you have the chance. Plus you know you need more zombie comics, we all do.
If you would like to buy ZombieBomb! Dead Not Dead or find out more about Terminal Press please go to http://www.terminalpress.com
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Issue: Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors #1
Writer: Ken Siu-Chong
Pencils: Eric Vedder, Joe Vriens, Joe Ng
Inks: Crystal Reid
Colors: Espen Grundetjern
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Release Date: March 2010
Pages: 28
Price: $3.95
Colors that pop on top of some nice looking artwork make this a good looking book. While you get that fun Manga style, I think that the colors help balance it out to where people who aren’t fans may take notice. I looked up the character designs from the game and the characters are all true to those designs. They stay nice and fluid from pages to page, and at times it does make me think I am sitting on the couch watching Anime.
Story: 3.0 out of 5.0
I will admit I knew what to expect going into this issue, without having read any other Darkstalker comics before. I mean it’s based off of a fighting game, but the dialogue is good enough to sustain an intriguing storyline on top of the fighting. I will want to go back and check out the first volume to get a better idea of what is going on here, but for the most part it wasn’t too bad.
If you would like to buy or know more about Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors #1 please go to http://www.udonentertainment.com/blog/.
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Issue: Priest Volume 1
Writer & Artist: Min-Woo Hyung
Translator: Jessica Kim
English Adaptation: Jake Forbes
Cover Artist: Raymond Swanland
Editor: Jake Forbes
Publisher: Tokyopop
Release Date: July 2003
Pages: 176
Price: $9.99
The absence of color really adds to this good looking book. I think that it helps add a great mood to the atmosphere that is filled with monsters and demons. While you don’t get the most in depth look to the characters, they are nice and consistent from page to page. Plus I am in love with the look of the undead, as they are a mix of zombies and Jason Voorhees. While some may just dismiss this genre of art, I think that this issue is fluid in that it feels like you’re watching an anime. Plus you get some cool death scenes and in a horror filled world that’s what I want!
Story: 3.5 out of 5.0
This is my first real attempt at reading Manga and I liked it. The story can seem to have strange dialogue from time to time, but overall I think it translates well. This entire volume covers a small backstory on the title character, but seems to focus more on what is going on in his world. Nice action unfolds, and I think it is needed to get readers in, and then in later volumes start to really go into depth on who he really is. Overall it was fun and I will be reading more.
If you would like to buy or know more about Priest Volume 1 please go to http://www.tokyopop.com.
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Issue: Dampyr #1
Writers: Mauro Boselli, Maurizio Colombo
Artist: Majo
Letters: Robbie Robbins, Cindy Chapman
Translator: Goran Marinic
English Text Edited: Jeff Menell
Cover Artist: Ashley Wood
Editor: Kris Oprisko
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Release Date: May 2005
Pages: 96
Price: $7.99
Nice and consistent is the first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about the art on this book. The characters stay true to their original form from panel to panel. Black and white is the color scheme and it works. I am starting to think I don’t ever want to see another horror title with color. To me it seems that the character designs are kind of out of date, but that may be a cultural thing as this book is an Italian import. Aside from that though, this is one solid looking book.
Story: 3.5 out of 5.0
Maybe the translation loses a little bit here and there but this is a good read. Nice introduction to the world, with some good plot points and fun action scenes. While it could be considered an Italian Blade, I think there are some good touches added to the vampire scene; Like how his blood can kill them and they aren’t afraid of crosses or churches. Plus the way the shock sets in with the characters when they realize vampires exist is amusing.
If you would like to buy or know more about Dampyr #1 please go to http://www.idwpublishing.com.
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Issue: Hellsing Volume 1
Creator: Kohta Hirano
Translator: Duane Johsnon
Lettering: Wilbert Lacuna
Editors: Tim Ervin, Fred Lui
Publisher: Dark Horse
Release Date: December 2003
Pages: 208
Price: $13.95
Wow! This book combines the Anime/Manga art style with great character detail and slams it all in your face. This is one fantastic looking book, that never lets up on the blood, never lets itself down in terms of detail, and was strong from start to finish! The black and white look adds an extra dimension to the horror feel. While there are some panels where a character can look really silly by the pose chosen, it still fits within the overall style. A hands down winner on the art front.
Story: 4.0 out of 5.0
The one thing I am not going to do here is lie: this is a fun read. While in terms of horror we’re dealing with zombies and vampires it’s more of an action feel than scary. Now that’s not a bad thing at all. We all like to see some vampire ass kicking right?, and Hellsing delivers that right to your brain. The storyline in this volume does a great job on setting up what is to come. I often had that feeling like it was a video game, in that there was a main bad guy at the end and he needed to be defeated. Overall, non stop fun and a great read.
If you would like to buy or know more about Hellsing Volume 1 please go to http://www.darkhorse.com/.
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Issue: Daffodil #3
Writers: Frederic Brremaud
Artist: Giovanni Rigano
Colors: Paolo Lamanna
Adaptation: Marc Sumerak
Translation: Stephanie Logan
Letters: Joe Caramagna
Editors: Olivier Jalabert, Cory Levine, Joe Quesada, Jean Wacquet, Jeff Youngquist
Publisher: Soleil (Marvel)
Release Date: March 2010
Pages: 48
Price: $5.99
“Daffodil, Achilles and Globuline continue to hunt the mysterious and bloodthirsty Nosferatu who is running rampant, leaving a devastated countryside and a trail of bodies torn limb from limb behind him. If Nosferatu and his hordes cannot be stopped, his path of destruction will inevitably lead the greatest conflict between humans and vampires the world has ever seen. But Daffodil and her team are not the only ones looking for the great Count, and not everyone’s motives are so pure. She’ll have to make sure that Rotweiller, accompanied by his pack of canines, and Bones, a holy priest irresistibly attracted to the vampires’ sensuality, don’t find Nosferatu first!“
Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
If you read the first two issues of this series you might notice a little different look to this one. Rigano told me that he did this to break up the two story lines that were covered in these 3 issues. This book is much darker, but still has that playful look to it. I would have to say that this is the more “adult” looking book out of the three and I love it.
Story: 4.0 out of 5
It always makes me a little sad when a series I like this much comes to an end. I want to start with the description above being off as the team is not after Nosferatu in this issue. Just pointing that out. This book jumps ship from the story that finished in the first two. It is a little confusing to only have three issues and a shift like this, but it is done well. It’s kind of like a one shot, well maybe two if you look at the fact that it has 48 pages, and it is sad. I was honestly upset that this was it, because I want more. Great action and suspense that translates very well into English.
Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I can honestly say that I am really happy to have this series in my horror collection. I wish we could start to see more imports of this quality head our way. This issue is a stand alone issue but also a good tease as to what Brremaud and Rigano are capable of giving us. I tell you this Marvel, get these two to start cranking out some more stories because I want them, and I want them now! Daffodil is a must own in my book for horror and vampire fans looking for something fun and different.
If you would like to buy Daffodil #3 you should be able to get it at your Local Comic Shop. You can find more info at http://marvel.com/comics/soleil
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Issue: Ex Occultus: The Wicked King
Writer: Jeff Pfaller
Artist: Sean Hill
Colors: Sean Hill
Letters: Jeff Pfaller
Pages: 8
Price: FREE
“Ex Occultus is a globetrotting, serialized epic combining elements of Indiana Jones, H. P. Lovecraft and The X-Files as it follows the exploits of adventurer and fortune-hunter Francis Wakefield, the gruff and grizzled Englishman with a tortuous past, and his protégé, a young man only known as Hollander, as they journey through the arcane in search of treasures and fortune, righting wrongs as they go.“
Dying Breath: 3.5 out of 5
This is a good looking webcomic. The character designs are really nice and solid from panel to panel. A good looking monster, that appears to be alien-esque adds to the overall feel. What sold it for me was the black and white work as it just adds that extra dimension that a good horror short should have. The story was alright. I wouldn’t say it was much more than a Moby Dick parody, but it held its own for being short in length. The dialogue was spot on, I just think the overall story didn’t have any kind of shocking moments to it. It all seemed to be what was expected. A good read that I think if it was expanded on would be enjoyable in print as well.
If you would like to find out more info please go to http://whoissaintjames.com/2009/02/25/ex-occultus
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Decapitated Dan
decapitateddan@comicattack.net
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Daffodil looks like the coolest of the bunch. I’ve thumbed through it at my store and think the art is something unique to itself.
Yeah we did a Deep Discussion with Giovanni a little while back. Super awesome guy. I mean it’s crazy how awesome the story was and that it JUST came out here, when it came out in like 2004 over in Europe. Insane how much good stuff we can miss out on here in the States.
Dampyr looks really good!
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