PIGEONS FROM HELL – Issue #1 of 4
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Joe R. Lansdale Art by Nathan Fox
Can a pigeon really scare the crap out of you? I’m not sure yet as this new series from Dark Horse kicks off with an adaptation of a Robert E. Howard’s classic story and a nice little hook to keep reading. No pigeons acting like rabid bats or vultures, just buildup toward a nice ghost story and a haunted house. Told in that classic, “What’s in there?” ghost story format, Pigeons from Hell bucks the trend of flashy little girl ghosts running past the screen in their underoos. It kind of has to be told this way in comic book format since there’s no sound, but what really makes this ghost story a nice read is the pacing. This is where many ghost stories just don’t get it: Heartbeat. You have to stay in tune with that pulsating rhythm and ticking clock, and the creative team of Joe R. Lansdale and Nathan Fox are totally on par with this essential element. The objective is to keep moving, no matter what because stopping is not an option until the very end. Lansdale drives the car nicely, especially when the kids take off from the spooky mansion and end up crashing Die Hard-style into a swamp. Nathan Fox draws it nicely too, creating the panel to show what we might see in the movie theater. His style is very unique too, one that adds to the story because it’s not easily recognizable like say a Jim Lee or Erik Larsen. It’s like using an unknown actor, allowing the audience to lose themselves more into the character because you don’t have Scientology issues or mice up the arse bugging you subconsciously. No, this here is a genuine ghost story that I feel has big things to arrive in the next issue. Let’s wait and see.
GRADE: B+ CONTINUE READING? You know me, I don’t like ghost stories much, but this one has me wanting more.
HACK/SLASH – Issue #11
Written by Tim Seeley Art by Emily Stone
Devil’s Due Publishing
So this week brought many great reviews as you’ll read on to see, but Hack/Slash takes a breather from the throne to tell a standalone story that mixes Cry_Wolf with The Crow. It’s not a bad story, but not very original, and ended a bit abruptly. Cassie continues to question her sexuality which is good, but she’s also acknowledging her natural instincts while trying to find the things missing from her life: Her father, identity, and love. So writer Tim Seeley stays on par with that involving and strategically paced path of maturation. The fun part is watching the return of Pooch, the ugliest dog you ever saw that speaks English from the Acid Washed storyline, banging into a window trying to save his master, Elvis. What a goof, and yet, loveable at the same time. I hope Seeley has big plans for him. Other than that, the art is good as usual from Emily Stone, but nothing really new here pops up. It’s kind of a breather issue. Nothing wrong with that. Especially for the things to come. So get ready to put your seatbelt back on for a very cool crossover next month!
GRADE: B CONTINUE READING? The Bump crossover is next with Mark Kidwell vs. Tim Seeley. Horror fans get ready to rumble!
THE DARKNESS – V.3 - Issue #3
Top Cow Comics
Written by Phil Hester Art by Michael Broussard and Dale Keown
Sometimes, all it takes is a lightswitch to turn it on again. You wouldn’t think it for a superhero that strives in the dark, but hey, think the opposite sometimes and you’ll see things you might not have seen before. Phil Hester is pumping in some major thought and juice to this third go around at The Darkness, and is creating a kingdom for Jackie that not only makes sense, but complete. In this issue, we get to see how the good Dr. Kirchner met Jackie, and like many of us knew, learned how he swindled Jackie into letting him live to be one of the biggest threats ever encountered. I mean, it’s true what they say, keep your friends close, and enemies closer, but this is walking on a plank of razorblades with giant saws trying to cut you pieces! How is the skinny, wimpy, creepy Doctor supposed to be Jackie’s biggest enemy next to The Angelus and The Devil you ask? Simple. A man who can turn The Darkness power against its wielder is certainly is a threat, and those Darklings love to party in the flesh! Phil Hester is my new writing idol as he’s really brought my favorite character back to invigorating life. I’m digging the maturation of Jackie, even though he’s been through so much already in two volumes, that he still has a lot to learn. Especially with the Darkness power. It’s limitless, and I’m really happy to see Top Cow allow Hester to explore those avenues. Artist Michael Broussard continues to kick major ass on the pencils, and is joined in by Darkness staple, Dale Keown for some flashback goodness. The Darkness is an exciting book again, and I hope that Top Cow nurtures it like a baby more this time around. Now, turn the lights off and get back to getting busy.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? Of course. How’s Jackie going to get out of this one?
SIMON DARK – Issue #7
DC Comics
Written by Steve Niles Art by Scott Hampton
Don’t use the soap. No, not, “Don’t drop the soap.” I said it right the first time-Don’t use it!! Not unless you want to become a zombie from Dawn of the Dead! Everyone waking up in Gotham City is taking a shower with a bar of soap filled with demon creatures that bite the skin and just crawl in, taking over the body and brain and turning innocent folks into zombies. Scary stuff and familiar ground for writer Steve Niles as he continues his excellent run on Simon Dark, establishing a very likeable new character in a city full of them, most notably The Batman. The artwork is what really gives this book a jump above most DC books as Scott Hampton brings a photo-realistic look to the panels and characters without making it look copied or layered. The visual presentation really brings the book to life, especially when a drunk husband comes home late to make some loving with his wife, only to be tossed out window by his zombified wife. Thrilling to see, even in its still presentation. DC Comics has a cult hit here without being a Vertigo title! So stay away from the soap for a month, and stink it up as Simon now has some work to be done with this zombie menace invading Gotham City.
GRADE: B+ CONTINUE READING? Please do. Steve will thank you.
SCREAMLAND– Issue #2 of 5
Image Comics
Written by Harold Sipe Art by Hector Casanova
I’m really loving this book. Told in that raspy, Sam Elliott adult voice with a bit of Hollywood (at least, that’s the voice that triggers in my head!), Screamland manages to mix fantasy and reality like no line ever existed. I mean, I actually buy it, and think monsters do exist in Los Angeles. I remember meeting a few at parties in the Valley, and seeing some at a popular Mexican restaurant in Los Feliz. It’s all good, and I don’t know how writer Harold Sipe is doing it, but damn if he isn’t smiling like he has a secret formula in his pocket for making it all work. Hector Casanova is an artist to recognize because it’s refreshingly original with a bit of throwback, EC Comics style to it. It’s like a 50’s look in color. Hard to explain, but you feel that time period, (well, from the movies, magazines, and TV shows you watched anyway). I’d love to see this on Showtime or FX or some cable channel because I like that mature storytelling with a bit of dark humor added, like Entourage, Dexter, and In Treatment. And it’s like all of those shows put together. Profound and hilarious! Wow. I never knew a casserole could be so exciting, but damn if it isn’t with Sipe and Casanova doing the mixing. The monster meat is delicious, especially with The Mummy in the spotlight here, and I can’t get enough. More more more!
GRADE: A+ CONTINUE READING? Surprise hit of the year folks. Get your ass on this book.
BAD PLANET – Issue #5 of 6
Raw Entertainment
Image Comics
Written by Thomas Jane & Steve Niles Art by James Daly III, Dave Kendall, and Tim Bradstreet
Finally, we have the origin of our alien warrior, and it’s not pretty. Wait, I said that wrong. The story ain’t pretty as the alien warrior had it pretty rough before his race died out, but damn if it’s pretty to look at on the page! James Daly III, Tim Bradstreet, and a flashback painted by Dave Kendall makes this issue a beauty to stare at for hours and think big thoughts about the universe and how little we are, and… Just pass the doobie already, Mike! Kendall knocks it out of the ballpark, unbelievably adding more depth to a series already filled with standout professionals like Steve Niles, Thomas Jane, and Tim Bradstreet. It gives that Heavy Metal magazine feel without being overly epic, staying true to its science fiction roots. How this wraps up in the next issue is going to be hard to swallow, but I trust the pros on this book have big and bright ideas to go out with a big bang. Still, the origin story of this alien warrior is one to add to the classic science fiction creature database, being more unique and tasty than most of the Star Trek and Star Wars aliens. Actually, it nods a great deal to The Fifth Element universe which I wish had more to give us rabid, “multi-pass” lovers, but Bad Planet is definitely one to fill that void for fans of that flick. And hey, now I know how the book got its title! Very slick, boys! Very nice. Now bring on the deathspiders!
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? You have to. The end is nigh!
LOCKE AND KEY – Issue #3
IDW Publishing
Written by Joe Hill Art by Gabriel Rodriguez
We started with a good ghost story, so we end with a good ghost story. Though very much different from Pigeons from Hell, Locke and Key presents a more dramatic approach, like The Sixth Sense subplot with the mother and boy being unable to connect. Locke and Key goes with an entire family trying to move past the death of the father, and leave the terror back in the past. But when the killer finds a way to escape prison, he heads back to the family to finish the job. It’s a great parallel to the main story of how the daughter strives to get past the event by staying invisible (metaphorically) in her new surroundings. No, her little brother Bode is the one that can run around the place as a ghost. Writer Joe Hill channels his inner Stephen King, establishing the location a little bit more, and the characters inner conflict before moving forward with the antagonists. He’s doing an excellent job too because I thought I’d lose interest after this issue, but quite the opposite happened. Maybe I’m slowly getting back on the ghost story train? If Gabriel Rodriguez continues drawing amazing art and Joe Hill lays on the words just right, I think I might have to drop the disliking ghost story moniker and embrace my inner Casper again. An excellent series that deserves to be a movie.
GRADE: A- CONTINUE READING? Very solid storytelling here and I look forward to more.
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