Posted by Decapitated Dan |

Horror Comic Roundup - 7/16/13

Horror Comic Roundup Image drawn by Travis Wayne Pursell, colors 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 #4 (Image)
Decapitated Dan: I love it, I just love it. Every single panel of this book was so damn good, and it all came together at the end, making this one solid mini series. The artwork by Zornow did not miss a beat, and this issue amped it up to a new level. I mean you had an elephant exploding in #1, you had a tiger teaming up with J.J. in #3 to kill some zombies, but none of that compared to a worm crawling around on a zombie head here in #4. I died laughing when I saw that, it was so GORE-Geous, and perfectly timed. The story was right on pace with the artwork, because it never missed a step either. This character is so interesting, and I can only pray that we will get much more of him in the future. I think that this team, and by that I mean the entire ‘68 Crew, are delivering real Zombie stories, that people should care about. They have everything a horror boy like me could hope for, and time and time again, they prove why they are Ghastly Award Winners. - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

A1 #2 (Titan Comics/Atomeka)
Billy Dunleavy: Three more stories are inside this anthology book, and like the first issue, it’s a good one. The Weirding Willows was good again, perhaps a bit slower than the first installment, but good nonetheless. More back and forth between Doctor Jekyll, Miss Marche, and Dr. Moreau, leads to a wild man trying to rescue the captured animals. A surprise guest at the end was a great cliffhanger. The second part of our next story (CarpeDiem), was outstanding. The humor and action mix was absolutely perfect, as was the artwork. Vibrant colors, interesting characters, and insane clowns made this story a winner. The best of the book was saved for last though. Odyssey was a spectacular isplay of action, intrigue, and all out mayhem. The sleazy military aspect is great, and only outdone by the all out battles with the Nazis. The panels with the action were unbelievable. Overall, the book is exceeding expectations and can still find new heights.  Rating 4.5/5


Breath of Bones #2 (Dark Horse)
Billy Dunleavy: OK, here’s the deal. This is a good story, no, it’s a great story. The problem is that the content from issue one and two was barely enough for one issue. Also, it’s only a three issue mini series, so even if the last issue is jam packed with action, it’ll sacrifice story or if it’s heavy on story, it wont have enough action. The pacing for the series is very slow, and obviously at this point can’t be saved. It’s a shame too, because it’s beautifully drawn, and again, the core story being told here is really great. The covers are very misleading too, as it’s now the second issue, and the Golem hasn’t even done anything aside from standing up. People love a good story but when that moves slower than molasses, nobody will stick around. Rating 2/5

Denise Dutton: Niles builds suspense and fleshes out characters in this second issue, and it’s good stuff. As the Nazi army approaches the small town, an old grandfather gathers children to build a mound of earth. Meanwhile, an English pilot trapped behind enemy lines tries to help out, but can they protect themselves and the town from the monsters that are coming? Sadly, there’s only one more issue in this miniseries. And if the first two are any indication, it’ll be amazing. (5 out of 5)



Chronos Commandos #1 (Titan Comics)
Billy Dunleavy: When you see a cover with a dinosaur getting ready to feast on someone, you get a feeling that it’s probably going to be a good comic. This issue didn’t disappoint, and honestly, it superseded expectations. Apparently the Nazis have gone back in time to try and re-write history, but there is a team of soldiers from the Allies, that follows them, and thwarts their efforts. This time though, not only will the soldiers have to contend with Nazis, but meat eating dinosaurs as well! Good, solid issue with not just crazy awesome action, but a decent plot to keep things in perspective. The pacing was fine and the artwork was amazing!  Rating 5/5


Crossed Badlands #32 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan: Well this MEGA AWESOME story arc is now over with, and HOLY $*#! did it end with a bang! Not since the original run by Ennis did I enjoy a Crossed story this much, and I can only hope that Gage will come back and give us more Smokey in the future. The story was action packed from the start as we wondered if Oliver would survive, and the way he went out was such a jaw to the floor shocker. The artwork never let up in this issue, and once again I come back to the way Oliver met his maker, because Zanier drew the HELL out of that scene. This issue was the icing on the cake of this arc and oh man was it a good cake. - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: The “Quisling” storyline wraps up with this issue, and it’s a doozy. This isn’t a big, glorious sendoff, but a nasty, brutal end that reminded me that in this world there’s only the Crossed. But the mythology takes a wicked turn.... The usual brilliant art and colors are here, along with a hint of a match up that I’m looking forward to seeing. Well done, Christos Gage. Looking forward to your next story. (4.5 out of 5)

 Dark Shadows #18 (Dynamite)
Billy Dunleavy: The first page of this issue says it all. Not with words, mind you, but with a fantastic visual. An out of control vampire, that is ready to pounce on a victim. Normally, that wouldn’t be anything to get overly excited about but the reason it stands out in this comic book is because the victim and vampire are two youths in love. Even when you take that element out of it, the story line with Barnabas’ soul being displaced, and his “darker half” being in control of his body, is right there in your face to keep the book moving. The vampire Lockwood, Quentin showing up back at Collinwood, and the amulet that can change a vampire back into a normal human still being in play make this book very interesting and always a solid read!  Rating 4/5

Ghosted #1 (Image)
Billy Dunleavy: Most people will probably be a little skeptical about this book, and with good reason. It sounds hokey, and more like a bad movie script than a good comic book. Here’s two quick things to report. First, it’s not hokey, and second, it would make a great movie script. A great cast of characters, solid writing, and nice artwork make this book a buy for sure. After reading it, it is what you thought it might be in the sense that nothing Earth shattering happened, but it did entertain, and also leave with a good hook on the last page to get you back for issue two. Rating 4/5

Decapitated Dan: I’m not too sure that this book turned out the way I had hoped it would, but keep in mind that this was the first issue. I am a big fan of Williamson’s writing, so I knew that this book was going to be seen by my eyes, but I was hoping for something to really grab me more with this issue. I like this concept, it kind of reminds me of 13 Ghosts meets Ocean’s 11. However nothing really happened, I would have rather called this a #0 issue, because it’s all build. Yes there is a great final page and Sudzuka gets some great props for that, but that was the highlight of the issue. I can not wait to see what comes next, because I know this horror ride is just climbing the hill right now. So here’s to heading face first down that summit in issue #2. - Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Denise Dutton: Take two parts The Legend of Hell House, one part Ocean’s Twelve and stir. That’ll get you Ghosted, and interesting twist on the classic “group of folks in a haunted house” story. Jason T. Winters, a crook with a crappy past, gets busted out of prison and told that he’s been hired to steal a ghost. There’s a group of people he chooses for his team, and one - a psychic - that the pursestrings required him to take along. If the last two panels don’t leave you dying for more, I don’t wanna know you. (4.5 out of 5)

Helheim #5 (Oni Press)
Decapitated Dan: Oh my god, did you see that? Oh man, how about that? Whoa what a battle! And is that a giant beetle? Jones and Filardi deserve a raise after how GORE-Geous this issue turned out to be. The opening scene where we see the witches “technically” come face to face to talk it over was great. The writing by Bunn deserves a GORE-Geous as well, because this book is taking off... HOWEVER, due to the ending I am scared that Helheim will come to an end soon and I don’t want that to happen! This issue was so good, that I will be sad and potentially lose some eye juice should it come to an end too soon. Read this book, read it again, give it to a friend to read, then read it again when you get it back, it’s that damn good! - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0


Rachel Rising #18 (Abstract Studios)
Decapitated Dan: Oh man is the book KILLER! With the way that #17 ended I was waiting on edge for this one to come out, and now that it has... I AM WAITING ON EDGE FOR THE NEXT ONE! I’ll say it again and again, the art by Moore is GORE-Geous and just leaves me breathless page after page. The story in this issue though turned it up to 11. The Angel of Death scene was epic, the scene with Mr. Bundy left me speechless, and the ending was unforgettable. I can’t say that if you read just this issue, it would be the same for you, but anyone out there who has read this from the start, you know I’m not lying, and if anything, I am not saying enough about how great this is. Go get this issue, or the trades, or whatever else you need to do because this book needs to be in your hands. - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

The Walking Dead #112: (Image)
Denise Dutton: Rick has taken just about all he can take. Negan is starting to make The Governor look like a Girl Scout. And I was starting to think that Kirkman and company were running out of ideas. Surprise! This issue has zombies, Negan, guts on the ground and a helluva way to end an issue. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I hate to say that that’s something I haven’t said about this series of late. (4.5 out of 5)

Zombies vs Cheerleaders #2 (3 Finger Prints)
Decapitated Dan: Well hello old friend! I didn’t even know this book was still coming out, and then there it was in front of me this week. In the past I did have a love/hate relationship with this title, but this issue has tipped those scales to the love side for now. The opening story by JD Arnold was something I have ALWAYS wanted to see, as the cast are already zombies, yet their grunts are translated into this very funny tale. Loved the art on this one by Martinez too, it was solid all around. The second story seemed a little odd to me, but that was because of the giant crabs, I had a feeling I had missed something along the way, not sure though. I really enjoyed the third story, and thought that it had the best art of the bunch. The idea of making C.H.E.E.R. a company/protection agency of sorts made me laugh. Last we come to the great 1 page “jokes”. These were fantastic, and I suggest that they get posted online so people can just enjoy how great they are. Overall, don’t pass on this because of the title, it’s gimmicky, but fun, and I think if you can turn the pages with that in mind, you will enjoy it just as much. - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0