MARVEL ZOMBIES VS. ARMY OF DARKNESS #3
Written by John Layman Art by Fabiano Neves
Dynamite Entertainment
Marvel Comics
After what will probably be one of the most memorable cliffhangers in horror comics history, (heck, maybe even the entire damn medium!) Howard the Duck, zombiefied and hungry, seemingly kills off our king, Ash, by eating his brain at the end of the issue two. How will the series go on after that, especially since our hero Ash has been developing “the hots” for swinging, shagedelic mutant singer, Dazzler? Well, we screw with time, that’s what! Ash continues on as another hot, but psycho-babe, Scarlett Witch, makes it a ménage a trios to save the world. But as Ash reveals the probable cause of the newfound zombie superhero world, the ladies lead him to Doctor Strange’s home and find he’s been properly dispersed of. This leads them to the last hope Earth has against the Marvel Zombies, and that’s at the doorstep of one Doctor Doom! This series continues to rock the socks off fans of both Army of Darkness and Marvel’s surprise hit, Marvel Zombies, as the jokes continue to fly out from our lovable antihero with a boomstick. This issue also features the rarely-used but often funny “writer’s wink” as superhero group, NextWave makes a funny cameo only to be thrown out the window at the end for no good reason but to make a laugh. This is probably the most entertaining book on the shelves right now for horror fans, so if you’re not reading it, better go now before another wormhole opens up at the local S-Mart.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? You Must. You Must. You Must Increase this Bust!
MARVEL ZOMBIES: DEAD DAYS ONE-SHOT
Written by Robert Kirkman Art by Sean Phillips
Marvel Comics
Here it is folks. The answers you’ve been waiting for. Just how in the hell did the Marvel Universe turn into a Night of the Living Dead movie? Well, blame the bad guys as a prominent mutant leader admits to spreading the disease to the heroes of the Marvel U! Just how does Earth’s prominent super team, The Fantastic Four, succumb to this menace? And will you ever look at Reed Richards the same again? The truth hurts here, and it’s pleasantly forced down our throats from the great zombie scribe, Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Marvel Zombies). I’m still in awe with what he did to Reed Richards, and it’s amazing at how crazy Peter Parker can be when he’s hungry! That is… for brains! Major players bite the dust in this book with the likes of She-Hulk, Professor X, and Iron Man getting the worst of it. There are some inconsistencies from the regular series that bring it down a notch, like how does Tony get his armor on AFTER being eaten, and Doctor Strange being turned into a zombie in two different places, but they’re not significant enough to take the fun away from the book. If you love Marvel Zombies, and want to know how it all began, then Dead Days is your book. Good stuff, Maynerd.
GRADE: A- CONTINUE READING? It’s a one-shot, so move onto Marvel Zombies if you haven’t already.
RAISE THE DEAD – Issue #2
Written by Leah Moore & John Reppion Art by Hugo Petros
Dynamite Entertainment
The television show in a comic book format continues as the survivors of a bus stop diner (at least I think it is) bust out of there via Greyhound and head toward a lab where the cure to this zombie disease might be found. The flashbacks continue to build the characters, and it’s still a cool trick to enjoy a story that’s seemingly been told a million times now. The television continues to play it’s role in informing people on how to stop the zombies, and I kinda wish it didn’t, but it’s a small detail that acts as minor rash more than a problem. There are acknowledgements to other popular horror flicks like 28 Days Later and Demons which also makes it hard to keep the fresh food from leftovers. In other words, the style of the storytelling is superb while the content in the story is overused and unoriginal. Still, the art here really makes it alright with the nuances and continues to build upon the intriguing characters we have, even when one we didn’t think would bite the dust ends up causing problems towards the end. A good book that could be great, and maybe in time it will be. I just wish the common elements would get thrown out the window already.
GRADE: B CONTINUE READING? Yes, but the third issue will ultimately decide if this series wants to be something more than what’s out there already.
CITY OF OTHERS – Issue #2
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Steve Niles
Art by Bernie Wrightson
I know what Steve is trying to do now with this series. He’s trying to bring back the good old days of horror storytelling with City of Others. I too love those classic horror stories, mainly shown back in those EC titles and late night TV, but there’s a conflict here with both Niles’ writing style and his characterization. The first issue sets up the story well, with a minor character flux on the part of Niles more notable creation, Cal McDonald being too much like his new character, Blud. Still, he’s a badass, and kills without remorse. However, in this issue, Niles is either writing too many books at once or doesn’t really know who Blud is since he’s now… well, a pussy with security issues. The backstory is interesting enough, but I had trouble following it as it dove too deep into an introverted folk tale that could only be understood if you were standing there. Not only that but the ending made little sense as our hero wants to give up and die on us already. That’s not a hook, Mr. Niles. That’s a repellant. I’m going to have real trouble picking up the third book now, and though it might be planned that way, hinted at the end, it’s still the gorgeous woman in the room with hairy armpits.
GRADE: C CONTINUE READING? I see myself putting my finger and thumb on issue 3 at the comic book store, and holding that position for a long time as the guy at the register yells at me, “You gonna buy it, or what?”
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER – Issue #3
Written by Joss Whedon
Art by Georges Jeanty
Oh, how I love thy Buffy, and that seductive Willow cover just rocks my socks off! Though I must admit, issue #2 was a bit slow and uneventful until the very last page where our favorite little witch appears to save the day. But don’t fret those that felt the same! Issue #3 brings the excitement level back to eleven as Willow and Amy go head to head in a battle of the wee-yatches. The female readers also get a treat as Buffy has a lustful dream showcasing two vampiric bad boys wrapped around her tight little bod. Xander throws in some handsome geekiness, and many familiar faces return to make those in the Buffyverse scream a thousand orgasms. (I’m overselling this, aren’t I? Too bad, I’m going for the O-face one more time!) Yes, I’m even warming up to the cartoony art that I had problems with in the first issue. (Ahhh…That hit the spot.) Joss Whedon continues to build his Season 8 with one hand on the wheel while the other pinches the clown nose in the passenger seat. It’s a joyous ride thus far, and I’ll ride it to the end.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? You betcha, Buffykins!
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