Showing posts with label Robert Hack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Hack. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

#IReadsYou Review: CREEPSHOW #1

CREEPSHOW #1 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS/Skybound

STORY: Chris Burnham; Paul Dini & Stephen Langford
ART: Chris Burnham; John McCrea
COLORS: Adriano Lucas; Mike Spicer
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
EDITORS: Alex Antone and Jon Moisan
COVER: Chris Burnham with Adriano Lucas
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Declan Shalvey; Vance Kelly; Robert Hack; Bryan Silverbax; Ivan Tao; Felix Morales; Tone Rodriguez; Joseph Schmalke; Rob Csiki; Skan Srisuwan; John Giang; David Mack; Miguel Zapata; Chinh Potter; Tyler Kirkham; Tony Max; Steven Russel Black; Ciro Nieli; Casey Parsons
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (September 2022)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Creepshow is a new horror comic book anthology series from Image Comics.  It is a TV-tie in to the horror anthology television series, “Creepshow,” that currently streams on “Shudder” and later airs on the cable TV network, “AMC.”  Of course, both the comic book and TV series are descendants of the 1982 horror and comedy film, Creepshow, which was directed by the late George A. Romero and written by Stephen King.  Each issue of Creepshow the comic book will feature different creative teams with uniquely horrifying (and sometimes horrible) standalone stories.

Creephow #1 contains two stories.  The first is “Take One,” which is written and drawn by Chris Burnham and colored by Adriano Lucas.  The second story is “Shingo,” which is written by Paul Dini and Stephen Langford; drawn by John McCrea; and colored by Mike Spicer.  Both stories are lettered by the great Pat Brosseau.  Creepshow's horro host, “The Creep,” narrates the story.

THE LOWDOWN:  I'm going to summarize and review each story separately:

“Take One” by Burnham, Lucas, and Brosseau:
It's Halloween night.  Scaredy-cat Phil is wearing a poorly made mummy costume, and he is trick-or-treating with his asshole friends, Nate and Erik.  They come upon the house of the late Mr. Xander, who apparently died the way he treated his neighbors.  Well, although his house is dark, there is a bowl of full-size candy bars on the porch.  “Take One” says the sign in the bowl, so what will happen if Phil, Nate, and Erik help themselves to more?

I love Halloween stories – prose and comics.  That said, “Take One” is an embarrassment.  The punishment does not fit the crime, and the level of violence is neither comic horror nor scary horror.  I have enjoyed some of Burnham's work (Nameless, Secret Wars: E is for Extinction) in the past, but “Take One” is lame horror trying to pass for clever.

On the other hand, I have to admit that Burnham's art and Lucas' colors are nicely atmospheric.  Too bad it's wasted on a wack-ass story.

“Shingo” by Dini & Langford, McCrea, Spicer, and Brosseau:
As the story opens, Sandy Clark is angry, determined, and desperate to find a party entertainer for her daughter, Fiona's birthday party.  It looks as if Fiona's dad, Tom Clark, has also come up short.  Enter Shingo; he (or it) is the party entertainer with the appetite to make any party unforgettable.

After the fumble of “Take One,” I didn't expect much from “Shingo.”  I know that many consider Paul Dini a “legend” for his work on the 1990s animated TV series, “Batman” a.k.a. “Batman: The Animated Series.”  However, I find his comic book work to be hit or miss or miss or mediocre.  I don't know how the collaboration between Dini and Langford worked, but “Shingo” is brilliant.

It is everything that comic horror or horror comedy should be.  It's crazy, wacky, satirical, farcical, droll, and witty and also have an batty monster.  The title boogey is “Shingo,” who is like a gleefully mean-spirited blend of PBS's “Barney,” the purple dinosaur from PBS' long-running “Barney & Friends” TV series, and a mangy “Teletubby” (from the British PBS import TV series, “The Teletubbies”).  The ending and the final-girl-heroes are the double cherries on top.

Artist John McCrea, a master of blending the comic, the violent, and the horrifying, makes this story sing.  Other artists could make this story work, but not as well as McCrea, who also gets some perfect coloring from Mike Spicer.

“Shingo” saves Creepshow #1, and my grade for this issue reflects “Shingo” and not so much “Take One.”  I think “Shingo” has the potential to be a good horror movie in the vein of director Michael Dougherty's 2015 film, Krampus.  And I would be remiss if I didn't say that Pat Brosseau's lettering throughout this issue is outstanding.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic horror comic book anthologies will want to read Creepshow.

[This comic book includes an afterword by Greg Nicotero, the executive producer of Shudder's “Creepshow.”]

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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Thursday, August 29, 2019

Review: ELVIRA Mistress of the Dark #1

ELVIRA MISTRESS OF THE DARK No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Dave Acosta
COLORS: Andrew Covalt
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Kevin Ketner
COVER: Joseph Michael Linsner
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: J. Bone; Kyle Strahm with Greg Smallwood; Craig Cermak with Brittany Pezzillo; Robert Hack with Francesco Francavilla; Craig Cermak; Joseph Michael Linsner; Kyle Strahm
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Rated Teen+

Elvira: Timescream – Chapter One: “Frankenstein is the Name of the Doctor”

“Horror hosts” present low-budget, low-grade, and cult films to television and radio audiences, with an emphasis on horror, science fiction, and/or B-movies.  Some horror hosts adopt an alternate identity, creating a character they play, such as when actress, Maila Nurmi, became the horror host character, “Vampira” in 1954 for KABC-TV in Los Angeles, California.

In 1981, actress and model Cassandra Peterson created the hostess character, “Elvira.”  Elvira gradually grew in popularity and eventually became a brand name.  As Elvira, Peterson endorsed many products and became a pitch-woman, appearing in numerous television commercials throughout the 1980s.

Elvira also appeared in comic books, beginning in 1986 with the short-lived series from DC Comics, Elvira's House of Mystery, which ran for eleven issues and one special issue (1987).  In 1993, Eclipse Comics and Claypool Comics began the long-running Elvira: Mistress of the Dark.  Eventually, Claypool would be sole publisher, and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark ran for 166 issues until 2007.

Elvira returns to comic books in Dynamite Entertainment's new four-issue, comic book miniseries, also entitled Elvira Mistress of the Dark.  It is written by David Avallone; drawn by Dave Acosta; colored by Andrew Covalt; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

Elvira Mistress of the Dark #1 (“Frankenstein is the Name of the Doctor”) find Elvira on the set of her latest B-movie.  During a break in filming, she returns to her trailer to find a coffin in the middle of the floor, but it isn't just any old coffin.  It emits a time vortex, and Elvira soon finds herself pushed in and tumbling through time.  First stop, the summer of 1816 and a certain villa near Lake Geneva.

Writer David Avallone and artist Dave Acosta are the creative team behind Dynamite Entertainment's most excellent crossover comic book, the four-issue miniseries, Twilight Zone: The Shadow (2017).  A moody, stylish, atmospheric piece, the narrative focused on reckoning for The Shadow.

Avallone and Acosta deliver something quite different with Elvira Mistress of the Dark.  Avallone's story is campy, kind of like a rollicking romp of a horror movie that plays loose with the history of horror fiction.  Acosta's illustrations recall classic Warren Publications horror comics with humor that is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and the storytelling is perfect for the mood.

Andrew Covalt's coloring of Acosta's  illustrations is visually and graphically striking.  It is a deft mixture of sparkling color effects and and something like the colorful and sometimes garish cinematography of Hammer Film Productions (the legendary British film studio that produced numerous horror films).  As usual, Taylor Esposito's lettering is solid and perfectly captures this first chapter's mood and also Elvira's snark, sarcasm, and wit.  Esposito even delivers comedy gold on the characters' screeching and yelling.  “Edgar Allan Freaking Poe!, indeed.

Elvira Mistress of the Dark is blessedly cursed with an excellent creative team.  I can't wait for the second issue.  Maybe, these guys could produce a readable Harley Quinn comic book.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, March 18, 2019

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for March 20, 2019

DYNAMITE

DEC181098    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 SGN ATLAS ED    $49.99
JAN191155    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #2 CVR A GALINDO    $3.99
JAN191156    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #2 CVR B MANDRAKE    $3.99
JAN191157    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #2 CVR C HACK    $3.99
DEC181114    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA TWILIGHT COMMAND #1 SGN ATLAS ED    $49.99
DEC181256    BOYS OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 (MR)    $29.99
JAN191224    JAMES BOND 007 #5 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
JAN191225    JAMES BOND 007 #5 CVR B MORALES    $3.99
JAN191226    JAMES BOND 007 #5 CVR C GORHAM    $3.99
JAN191227    JAMES BOND 007 #5 CVR D MOONEY    $3.99
DEC181237    NANCY DREW TP PALACE OF WISDOM    $14.99
DEC181209    RAINBOW BRITE #5 CVR A GANUCHEAU    $3.99
DEC181210    RAINBOW BRITE #5 CVR B CLASSIC    $3.99
DEC181083    RED SONJA #1 SGN ATLAS ED    $49.99

Monday, February 11, 2019

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for February 13, 2019

DYNAMITE
DEC181099    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 AUTHENTIX ED    $10.00
DEC181088    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 CVR A GOMEZ    $3.99
DEC181089    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 CVR B MANDRAKE    $3.99
DEC181090    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 CVR C HACK    $3.99
DEC181091    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 CVR D GALINDO    $3.99
DEC181092    ARMY OF DARKNESS BUBBA HOTEP #1 CVR E KUBERT    $3.99
OCT181081    BETTIE PAGE #2 CVR A ROYLE    $3.99
OCT181082    BETTIE PAGE #2 CVR B CHANTLER    $3.99
OCT181083    BETTIE PAGE #2 CVR C WILLIAMS    $3.99
OCT181084    BETTIE PAGE #2 CVR D OHTA    $3.99
OCT181085    BETTIE PAGE #2 CVR E PHOTO    $3.99
DEC181184    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #6 CVR A CASSADAY    $3.99
DEC181185    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #6 CVR B COLAK    $3.99
DEC181186    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #6 CVR C ANWAR    $3.99
DEC181187    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #6 CVR D MOUSTAFA    $3.99
DEC181188    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #6 CVR E BOB Q    $3.99
NOV181213    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR A PAGULAYAN    $3.99
NOV181214    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR B ANACLETO    $3.99
NOV181215    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR C SEGOVIA    $3.99
NOV181216    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR D JUSKO    $3.99
NOV181217    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR E VAMPIRELLA COSPLAY    $3.99
NOV181218    VAMPIRELLA DEJAH THORIS #5 CVR F DEJAH THORIS COSPLAY    $3.99
APR180925    VAMPIRELLA ROSES FOR DEAD #1 (OF 5) DELUXE COLLECTORS BOX (M    $199.99
DEC181226    VAMPIRELLA VALENTINES DAY SPECIAL #1 CVR A GUNDUZ    $4.99

Monday, January 14, 2019

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for January 16, 2019

DYNAMITE

JUN181070    AGENT 47 GN VOL 01 BIRTH OF HITMAN    $19.99
NOV181123    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLASSIC #3 CVR A RUDY    $3.99
NOV181124    BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CLASSIC #3 CVR B HDR    $3.99
AUG181229    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR A LINSNER    $3.99
AUG181230    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR B CERMAK    $3.99
AUG181231    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR C HACK    $3.99
AUG181232    ELVIRA MISTRESS OF DARK #4 CVR D PHOTO SUB VAR    $3.99
NOV181165    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR A CASSADAY    $3.99
NOV181166    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR B MCKONE    $3.99
NOV181167    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR C WALSH    $3.99
NOV181168    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR D MOUSTAFA    $3.99
NOV181169    JAMES BOND ORIGIN #5 CVR E BOB Q    $3.99
OCT181181    SHERLOCK HOLMES VANISHING MAN TP    $17.99
OCT181187    SWASHBUCKLERS SAGA CONTINUES TP    $19.99
JUL181325    UNCANNY COLLECTORS SET TRADING CARDS    $19.99

Monday, December 24, 2018

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 26, 2018

DYNAMITE

OCT181120    MARS ATTACKS #3 CVR A FRANCAVILLA    $3.99
OCT181121    MARS ATTACKS #3 CVR B COLEMAN    $3.99
OCT181122    MARS ATTACKS #3 CVR C MARRON    $3.99
OCT181123    MARS ATTACKS #3 CVR D HACK    $3.99
OCT181124    MARS ATTACKS #3 CVR E SCHWEIZER SUB VAR    $3.99

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Review: JUGHEAD: The Hunger #1

JUGHEAD: THE HUNGER No. 1
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics @ArchieHorror

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Frank Tieri
PENCILS: Pat and Tim Kennedy
INKS: Bob Smith and Jim Amash
COLORS: Matt Herms
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER: Robert Hack; Michael Walsh
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated Teen+ for Violence and Mature Content

“Run Like the Wolf” Part One

Over the past four years, Archie Comics has gone about modernizing its characters and comic books in terms of stories, characters, and plots, as well as in visuals and graphics.  This is a publishing initiative that can be called the “new look Archie.”

The first phase of the new Archie Comics was the  the “Archie Horror” line, in which Archie Comics characters were re-imagined in a darker world, filled with the supernatural – from forbidden magic to bloodthirsty creatures.  Writer Roberto Aquirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla took Archie Comics to the dark side in Afterlife with Archie, placing Archie and his pals in the middle of a “zombie apocalypse.”

Earlier this year, Jughead Jones went to the dark and hungry side in Jughead: The Hunger, a one-shot comic book that revealed that classic pal of Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, was descended from a line of werewolves.  He started killing, and Betty Cooper, one of Archie's girlfriends and a werewolf hunter, started hunting him.  Archie and Betty could not save Jughead, and he skipped town after killing Reggie Mantle.

Jughead: The Hunter is now an ongoing series.  It is written by Frank Tieri; drawn by Pat & Tim Kennedy (pencils) and Bob Smith and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Matt Herms; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Jughead: The Hunger #1 opens three week earlier at Riverdale Hospital where Reggie Mantle is declared dead... or not.  Moving forward, Jughead has run away and joined the circus.  He has found some sense of peace, although the circus' animals avoid him.  Meanwhile, Betty and Archie continue to follow Jughead's trail, but someone new is about to join their little hunt.

I think the original Jughead: The Hunger was published at a time when I was too busy to track the coming and goings of one-shot comic books.  However, because I really love Afterlife with Archie and also the second “Archie Horror” title, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, I was determined to get a copy of Jughead: The Hunger #1, and it is worth the effort and the decision to continue it as an ongoing series.

“Archie Horror” titles are steeped in the tradition of the best American horror comic books, from EC Comics and Warren Publications to DC Comics “Bronze and Copper Ages” titles and its Vertigo imprint.  Sometimes, it is in the tone of the narrative; other times “Archie Horror” comic books capture the spirit of classic horror comic books.  Jughead: The Hunger #1 has it all, and it is also an engaging supernatural teen soap opera, presenting scares and scary teens.

Of course, we are early in this series, but I see teen melodrama playing a big part in Jughead: The Hunger, probably as much as the monster side of the story.  Matt Herms' gorgeous colors capture and heighten all this story's moods – from the intensity of the emergency room to the loneliness of Jughead's secretive circus life.  Jack Morelli's clean lettering fits in like a perfect storyteller, knowing that it is all about the story.

I must say that I am surprised.  I did not expect Jughead: The Hunger #1 to grab me as the earlier “Archie Horror” comics had.  I ask myself, “Are these horror titles really as good as I think they are?”  Find out for yourself, dear readers.

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Sunday, December 2, 2018

Review: THE SHADOW/BATMAN #1

THE SHADOW/BATMAN, VOL. 1, No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT/DC Comics – @dynamitecomics @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Orlando
ART: Giovanni Timpano
COLORS: Flavio Dispenza
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
COVER: David Finch with June Chung
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ethan Van Sciver with Jason Wright (B); Alex Ross (C); Dustin Nguyen (D); Brandon Peterson (E); Bill Sienkiewicz (F); Howard Porter with Hi-Fi (G); Giovanni Timpano with Flavio Dispenza; Howard Porter; Ethan Van Sciver; David Finch with June Chung; Alex Ross; David Finch; Giovanni Timpano; Robert Hack; Anthony Marques and J. Bone with Chris O'Halloran; Cory Smith with Tim Shinn; Cory Smith; Tyler Kirkham with Arif Prianto; Tyler Kirkham
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated “Teen+”

The Shadow created by Walter Gibson; Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Shadow/Batman: Part One

The Shadow is a fictional character that began life as a mysterious radio narrator, debuting on July 31, 1930 as the host of the radio program, “Detective Story Hour.”  Street and Smith Publications, publishers of Detective Story Magazine, hired writer Walter B. Gibson to create a character concept that fit The Shadow's name and voice and to also write a story featuring him.  The first issue of The Shadow Magazine went on sale on April 1, 1931.

DC Comics superhero Batman is a worldwide icon.  He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (cover dated: May 1939).  Batman and his civilian identity, Bruce Wayne, are among the first characters to be inspired by The Shadow and his civilian guise, Lamont Cranston.  The Shadow and Batman would meet for the first time in Batman #273 (cover dated: November 1973).  This year, DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment, the current publisher with the license to produce comics based on The Shadow, brought the two characters together, first in the six-issue crossover comic book miniseries, Batman The Shadow, from DC Comics.

Now, it is Dynamite's turn and it is offering a second six-issue miniseries, The Shadow/Batman.  It is written by Steve Orlando; drawn by Giovanni Timpano; colored by Flavio Dispenz; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

The Shadow/Batman: Volume 1 #1 opens with Professor Pyg in New York City causing chaos.  Batman has followed him to NYC to shut him down, but that upsets The Shadow, who believes that Batman should remain in Gotham City and leave the Big Apple to him.

However, these two dark avengers are about to discover that they are facing the “World's Greatest Evil,” and they may be no match for it.  Can the “World's Greatest Mystery” and the “World's Greatest Detective” (and the “world's most independent sidekick”) must put aside their differences and unravel the centuries' old conspiracy of the “Silent Seven.”

I did not read DC Comics' Batman The Shadow, so I wanted to make sure that I did not miss The Shadow/Batman.  I really like how writer Steve Orlando emphasizes dark moods, atmospheres, feelings, and emotions.  There is a deep sense of foreboding, and Orlando makes a convincing case that both The Shadow and Batman are not only vulnerable, but are also in danger of being destroyed.

Artist Giovanni Timpano's moody compositions and colorist Flavio Dispenz's gloomy colors recall the classic shadowy cool and noir sensibilities of The Shadow in his radio glory days.  The Shadow and Batman are in good artistic hands.

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Review: A WALK THROUGH HELL #1

A WALK THROUGH HELL No. 1
AFTERSHOCK COMICS – @AfterShockComix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Garth Ennis
ARTIST: Goran Sudžuka
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Rob Steen
EDITOR: Mike Marts
COVER: Andy Clarke with Jose Villarrubia
VARIANT COVERS: Andy Clarke; Francesco Francavilla; Robert Hack; Hoyt Silva; Goran Sudžuka with Ive Svorcina; Ben Templesmith
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2018)

Mature Readers

Created by Garth Ennis and Goran Sudžuka

“One”

A Walk Through Hell is a new comic book series from writer Garth Ennis and artist Goran Sudžuka.  The rest of the series' creative team includes colorist Ive Svorcina and letterer Rob Steen.  Publisher Aftershock Comics describes A Walk Through Hell as “a new kind of horror story for modern America.”

A Walk Through Hell #1 focuses on two Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents.  The older agent is Special Agent Shaw, who is nearing her 40th birthday and who is still haunted by her last investigation.  Special Agent McGregor is younger; a male, he is still idealistic about his career.

Shaw and McGregor are assisting two fellow agents, Special Agent Goss and Special Agent Hunzikker.  When the two agents fail to stay in contact, Shaw and McGregor head to a Long Beach warehouse that Goss and Hunzikker were investigating.  When they arrive, they find the local police acting strangely and a warehouse where something peculiar and maybe unbelievably dangerous awaits.

A Walk Through Hell #1 is not so much a chapter as it is a teaser trailer for a comic book.  Garth Ennis has been one of the best writers of violent action comic books over the last three decades, so he has been treated like a prince of the realm... of American comic books.  DC Comics even allowed Ennis to liberally use the racial slur “nigger,” in the comic books he wrote for them, even when DC had no African-American writing DC Comics titles.  Ennis' comics are consistently entertaining, in a bracing sort of way and are often quite imaginative and sometimes poignant.

A Walk Through Hell #1 is just too cute and coy for its own good.  It offers 20 pages at a cover price of $3.99, yet the information AfterShock released about A Walk Through Hell does more storytelling than this first issue does.  No unknown or novice comic book writer would be allowed to deliver a first issue like A Walk Through Hell #1, no matter how good he or she was.  This is star creator privilege run amok.  Yet I know that, overall, this might be a good comic book when we finally get an issue in which something more than story cock-teasing happens.

Goran Sudžuka offers some solid drawing, and I would say good storytelling, if the storytelling here was not vague.  Colorist Ive Svorcina delivers some solid, moody and noir-ish colors that recall the coloring on classic DC Comics/Vertigo titles.  Rob Steen's lettering does as much to create atmosphere as Ennis' writing does.

Maybe next time...

6 out of 10

[This comic book includes a preview of The Lost City Explorers #1 by Zack Kaplan and Alvaro Sarraseca.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Sunday, September 30, 2018

Review: THE KILLER INSIDE ME (Trade Paperback)

JIM THOMPSON'S THE KILLER INSIDE ME
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Devin Faraci
ART: Vic Malhotra
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: Christa Miesner
EDITORS: Denton J. Tipton; Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon
COVER: Vic Malhotra
MISC. ART: Robert Hack
ISBN: 978-1-63140-854-0; paperback (April 18, 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99, $25.99 U.S.
Diamond Distributors code: AUG170528

Suggested for mature readers

Introduction by Stephen King

The Killer Inside Me is a 1952 crime novel written by American author Jim Thompson (1906 to 1977).  The Killer Inside Me is one of the best-regarded crime novels of the twentieth century, and has received praise from bestselling novelist, Stephen King (The Shining), and the acclaimed filmmaker, the late Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey).

In 2016 and 2017, IDW Publishing published a five-issue comic book adaptation of Thompson's novel, entitled Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  The adaptation is written by Devin Faraci, a film critic and podcaster.  It is drawn by Vic Malhotra; colored by Jason Millet; and lettered by Christa MiesnerRobert Hack drew the cover illustrations for the variant cover editions of this comic book.

In April 2017, IDW published a trade paperback that collected all five issues of Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  At the back of this book, there is a 14-page section of illustrations and sketch material drawn by Malhotra and Hack.  IDW sent me a copy of the Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me trade paperback for review.

Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me is set in around the small town of Central City, TexasLou Ford is a deputy for Sheriff Bob Maples.  Ford is something of a psychopath, and as the story advances, it is obvious that he is a full-on serial killer.  As Ford says, he has had a sickness inside him ever since he was a child.

Ford hatches a plan of blood revenge against the wealthy Chester Conway, the owner of Conway Construction, which seems to build everything in Central City.  Ford's murderous plot involves Chester's not-too-bright son, Elmer, and Joyce Lakeland, a prostitute that Elmer loves and with whom he hopes to elope.  Most people in Central City think Lou Ford is a little slow, but they don't know about the sickness inside him, a psychosis that is reemerging as the bodies pile up.

Over 20 years ago, I read my only Jim Thompson novel, The Grifters (1963), which I thought was brilliantly written.  Once upon a time, when they were still talking, Fantagraphics Books' Gary Groth interviewed the late Harlan Ellison, in which either Ellison or Groth said that sometimes a work of art or storytelling is perfect in its original form.  As much as I enjoyed director Stephen Frears and writer Donald E. Westlake's 1990 film adaptation of The Grifters, I thought the original, Thompson's novel, was perfect.

There is something lacking in Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book.  This comic book adaptation is flat and lacks the hard-boiled lyricism I found in The Grifters.  There are some good moments when this comic book can be furious and edgy, but quite a bit of the narrative smothers any embers that the plot kicks up.  The fifth issue of this adaptation is the only one that consistently, from the first page to the last, has that bad-ass burn of American “noir.”

Although this comic book is by no means a disaster, Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me could have been better.  I don't know what qualifies Devin Faraci to adapt a Jim Thompson novel to comics, especially after IDW published comic book adaptations of Richard Stark's (Donald E. Westlake) Parker crime novels, written and drawn by the late Darwyn Cooke, one of the best comic book creators of the last 20 years.  There is something about Faraci's adaptation that seems to accept that it is inherently an inferior work.

Even Vic Malhotra's illustrations and graphic storytelling often come across as flat, even listless, unable to convey the power of the original story.  Colorist Jason Millet's simmering hues do more to convey Jim Thompson's heat than any other contributor to this comic book.  Christa Miesner's lettering is not spectacular, but creates a nice rhythm for the story.

While I have mixed feelings about Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book, I can recommend this trade paperback to comic book readers who are always looking for comic books adapted from novels.

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, July 14, 2017

Review: JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS #1

JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS VOL. 2 No. 1 (2016)
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio
ART: Audrey Mok
COLORS: Andre Szymanowicz
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER: Audrey Mok
VARIANT COVERS: Derek Charm, Colleen Coover, Veronica Fish, Francesco Francavilla, Robert Hack, Gisele Legace, Alitha Martinez, Marguerite Sauvage,
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2016)

Josie and the Pussycats began as a 1963 teen-humor comic book entitled She's Josie (cover date:  February 1963).  Published by Archie Comics, it was created by Dan DeCarlo and focused on the fanciful life and times of a teenager, the sweet and level-headed redhead, Josie.  The title was renamed Josie with issue #17 (cover dated:  December 1965).

It became Josie and the Pussycats with issue #45 (cover date:  December 1969), in which Josie and her friend, Melody, formed a band called the Pussycats.  The two friends added bassist Valerie Smith, the new girl in school and one of the first major African-American comic book characters.  The trio donned leopard print band uniforms that came with long tails and cat-ear headbands.  Hanna-Barbera adapted this new-look Josie into the Saturday morning animated television series, “Josie and the Pussycats,” which ran for two seasons.

The comic book ran until Josie and the Pussycats #106 (cover date:  October 1982), but the characters made appearances in other Archie Comics after that and was even the subject of an American manga makeover about a decade ago.  Josie and the Pussycats are remade, redesigned, and re-imagined again, this time as part of Archie Comics new-look line of comic books.  This new Josie and the Pussycats is written by Marguerite Bennett and Cameron Deordio; drawn by Audrey Mok; colored by Andre Szymanowicz, and lettered by Jack Morelli.

Josie and the Pussycats #1 opens in the bar, “Win Some Booze Some,” in Riverdale.  The owner, Pepper, has allowed her pal, Josie, to try out her folksy vocals, but customers are not interested, and even Josie's frenemy, Alexandra, stops by to rub it in.  Josie would so like to perform at the charity benefit concert for the Riverdale Animal Shelter, but it is for bands only.  Despondent, Josie does not realize how close she is to having a band, but will she know how work it when she gets one?

I have to keep it real.  I only have a passing interest in the new-look Archie Comics, and that interest is not strong enough to make me read even the review PDFs I get from Archie Comics.  However, I have been in love with Josie and the Pussycats since I was a tyke, so I gave this new look a look.

It isn't bad.  Actually, this first issue is average, at best.  Honestly, my Josie is drawn by Dan DeCarlo and the other Archie Comics artists who mimicked DeCarlo's style for four decades of Josie comics.  New-look Josie artist, Audrey Mok, draws beautiful covers, but her interior art for Josie and the Pussycats #1 but does not rise to the level of her cover art for issue #1.  The story is OK, and I might come back for the second issue and maybe a third issue if the second issue entices me.

But this ain't my Josie.  This really isn't Josie, but to be fair, I won't grade this series, yet.

[This issue reprints the Josie and the Pussycats story, “Pussy Footing,” which was written by Dick Malmgren; drawn by Dan DeCarlo (pencils) and Rudy Lapick (inks); and lettered by Bill Yoshida.]

Now, these are my girls.  I think “Pussy Footing” was one of two Josie chapters in Josie and the Pussycats #45.  I love it.  Now, I need to get to eBay.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, February 10, 2017

Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #5

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA No. 5
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics @ArchieHorror

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ART: Robert Hack
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER/VARIANT COVER: Robert Hack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2016)

“The Crucible” Chapter Five: “The Trial”

Rated Teen + (Violence and mature content)

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is one of two Archie Comics series that were re-imagined as horror comic books.  The other is the zombie apocalypse series, Afterlife with Archie (a play on the title Life with Archie).  Published under the “Archie Horror” imprint, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina takes the traditionally lighthearted Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch and re-imagines Sabrina's four-color world as darkly-hued place of witchcraft, Satanism, and murder-most-foul.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa; drawn by Robert Hack; and lettered by Jack Morelli.  The story is set in the 1960s, with the current story line largely taking place in 1967.  Sabrina Victoria Spellman is a 16-year-old who lives in Greendale with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda (two witches of the Satan-serving variety); her cousin, Ambrose (a warlock); and her familiar, a cat named Salem.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #5 (“The Trial”) finds Sabrina facing the judgment of the Witches' Council for the sin of cavorting with a mortal.  On the eve of her 16th birthday, Sabrina was to be baptized a full member of the Church of Night.  However, her boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle, was tricked into interrupting the ceremony, which cost him his life.  Now, Sabrina must prove that the incident was not directly her fault, or she will face unending torment.

Meanwhile, Madame Satan, the mastermind behind the disaster with Harvey, drafts two Riverdale high school witches, Betty and Veronica (yes, that Betty and Veronica), into her plot.  Together, this trio will attempt to ensnare Sabrina into a dangerous ritual.

Way back in the early years of Image Comics, one of the “Image guys” explained why fans should accept that many Image Comics titles arrived in comic book shops way past their initial date of publication.  It takes a long time to grow roses was basically what that Image guy said.  So Image Comics were like roses, which to many are the epitome of flowers.  Thus, it took a long time to draw Image Comics, those roses of American comic book publishing.

Well, quite a few of those early Image Comics were roses to some, but they were weeds to others – weeds that eventually nearly choked the life out of the U.S. comic book market.  Also, I think it was the seminal hip-hop duo, OutKast, that sang that roses really smell like shit.

Anyway, it has been nearly a year since the publication of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #4, and, if I remember correctly, there was a long wait between the publication of the first two issues of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the third and fourth issues.  All four issues were like roses, for the sake of the metaphor, so the length of time to grow Chilling Adventures of Sabrina installments were worth the wait.  They are flowers from a garden of unearthly delights, and when they finally bloom, they are a creepy sight to behold.

Seriously, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #5 is so good that I can't be mad.  It is certainly worth the wait.  Yeah, I'd like to read it more often, but while reading issue #5, the long delay between it and the fourth issue was the last thing on my mind.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack have created a horror comic book for the ages.  They are not defiling all-things Archie; rather, they are expanding the possibilities of the world of Archie Comics.  I think that the possibilities for expanding that world into multiple genres are limitless, but that has rarely been tested.  I also think writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's work is the vanguard that led to the recent new-look Archie Comics.

With artist Robert Hack, Aguirre-Sacasa will remain at the forefront of a revolution.  Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #5, a helluva occult comic, proves that.

[This issue includes a preview of Afterlife with Archie #9.]

A

http://archiehorror.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Review: JAMES BOND Volume 1 #1

JAMES BOND, VOL. 1 No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Jason Masters
COLORS: Guy Major
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Dom Reardon
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Francesco Francavilla; Steven Mooney; Dan Panosian; Gabriel Hardman with Jordan Boyd; Glenn Fabry; Jock; Gabriel Hardman; Joe Jusko; Aaron Campbell; Timothy Lim; Dennis Calero; Robert Hack; Ben Oliver; Jason Masters
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated T+

“Vargr”

“James Bond” is a fictional British Secret Service agent created by Ian Fleming, a British writer and novelist.  Fleming introduced James Bond in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale, and featured the character in 12 novels and two short-story collections.  Of course, most people know Bond because of the long-running James Bond-007 film series, which began with the 1962 film, Dr. No.

After Fleming's death, a number of authors continued to produce James Bond novels, including the recently released Trigger Warning from author Anthony Horowitz.  Over the past 50+ years, Bond has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  The latest James Bond comic book appears courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.

James Bond, Volume 1 is written by Warren Ellis, drawn by Jason Masters, colored by Guy Major, and lettered by Simon Bowland.  The first story arc is entitled is entitled “Vargr.”  According to Ellis, this James Bond comic book series will feature a James Bond that skews closer to the character that appeared in Ian Fleming's writing than in the film series.

James Bond, Volume 1, #1 opens in Helsinki, Finland.  There, James Bond-007 is settling a matter concerning 008.  Back in London at MI6 headquarters, M (Bond's immediate superior) informs Bond that he must take on a larger workload.  That will take him to Berlin and into danger.

When actor Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond around a decade ago, it was announced that the James Bond film series would return to the idea that 007 was a blunt instrument used by the British Secret Service.  That was evident in most of Craig's first outing as Bond, 2006's Casino Royale, although the film ultimately returned to the action movie theatrics that have defined the series for most of its existence.

In 22 pages, writer Warren Ellis makes it clear that the James Bond of “Vargr” is not only a blunt instrument, but also is a man who can be both suave and ordinary-like, as necessary.  This Bond is also classic and cool, like Sean Connery operating with a jazzy soundtrack in the background.  There is, however, also a touch of the edginess found in Richard Stark's Parker.

Jason Masters' art and graphical storytelling deglazes any cinematic sheen from both the subject and the story.  With Guy Major's colors, Masters' art does not seek to make this a matter-of-fact Bond, but rather it emphasizes the story and genre as much as it does the famous character.

I highly recommend this to fans of James Bond and to those who have been waiting for a James Bond comic book.  I must also note that not only is Moneypenny a Black character (as she is in the current films), but so is M.  I'll be waiting in Berlin...

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Friday, July 31, 2015

Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #4

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #4
ARCHIE COMICS – @ArchieComics @ArchieHorror

STORY: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ART: Robert Hack
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER/VARIANT COVER: Robert Hack
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2015)

“The Crucible” Chapter Four: “Harvey Horrors”

Rated Teen + (Violence and mature content)

When writer George Gladir and artist Dan DeCarlo created Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch and her world in the early 1960s, did they imagine or could they have imagined how much it would all change decades later?  It's a chilling thought.

The comic book series, Afterlife with Archie, is a re-imagining of the world of Archie Comics as a zombie apocalypse, and it is a hit with readers.  Last year, Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch, a traditionally lighthearted, Archie Comics publication, also received a horror comics makeover.  Now, we have Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, drawn by Robert Hack, and lettered by Jack Morelli.  It is a genuine and genuinely good horror comic book.  Say what!

This darker series is set in the 1960s, with the current story line largely taking place in 1967.  Sabrina Spellman is a 15-year-old who lives in Greendale with her aunts, Hilda and Zelda (two witches of the Satan-serving variety), and her cousin, Ambrose (a warlock).

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #4 (“The Crucible” Chapter Four: “Harvey Horrors”) opens after Sabrina's interrupted “Unholy Baptism,” in which she was preparing to accept the life of a witch.  Now, Sabrina's boyfriend, Harvey Kinkle, a fellow student and football stud at Greendale High School, is running for his life.

In the tragic aftermath, Sabrina struggles to accept what seems like fate.  In the meantime, her aunts warn her that she must face the coven.  However, a sympathetic teacher at Greendale High, Evangeline Porter a.k.a. Madam Satan, may have a way to make things better for Sabrina.

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack have created a horror comic book that it is so good that they could make it work without using a well-known Archie Comics character.  That they have re-imagined Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch simply makes the book that much more wickedly divine and salacious.

The bucolic 1960s setting is appropriate as this comic book has the occult and ominous vibe of such 1970s occult films like Carrie, The Omen, Race the Devil, and Rosemary's Baby, among others.  Every time I read this comic book, I also think about Rob Zombie's recent half-ridiculous/half-brilliant, Satanic art movie, The Lords of Salem.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is mad and brilliant.  If EC Comics and the 1950s copy-cat horror comics that the publisher influenced had created graphic novels, they would look like this first story arc of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, “The Crucible.”  Sometimes, the witchery is so shocking in this comic book, I think that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack might need some inquisition face-time, or perhaps to be dunked a time or two.

[This issue includes a bonus Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch story, “Double Date,” from writer by Dick Malmgren and artist Dan DeCarlo.]

A

http://archiehorror.com/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I Reads You Review: ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1

ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1
DARK HORSE COMICS in association with Archie Comics – @DarkHorseComics and @ArchieComics

WRITER: Alex de Campi
PENCILS: Fernando Ruiz
INKS: Rich Koslowski
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER:  Fernando Ruiz and Rich Koslowski with Jason Millet
VARIANT COVERS: Eric Powell; Francesco Francavilla
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Eternal comic book teenager, Archie Andrews, was created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana and first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover date: December 1941).  The Predator is a movie monster that was created by the sibling screenwriting team of Jim and John Thomas in 1985 and that first appeared in the still-popular, 1987 science fiction film, Predator.

Now, Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Archie Comics, is pitting Archie Andrews and his friends against the Predator in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Archie vs. Predator.  The series is written by Alex de Campi, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by one of the masters of comic book lettering, John Workman.

Archie vs. Predator #1 (“When You Wish Upon a Star”) opens with America's favorite teen, Archie, and his pals, including Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, and Moose, trying to decide where they can spend Spring Break.  They don't want to spend another Spring Break camping, tubing, or shopping at the outlet mall.  Of course, the wealthy Cheryl and her boyfriend, Jason, are rubbing it in that they will spend the vacation yachting in the Caribbean.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the gang does manage to travel to the lovely Los Perdidos Resort in Costa Rica.  However, instead of enjoying fun in the sun, Archie and the Gang allow old rivalries, jealousy, and violence to take over their Spring Break.  Meanwhile, something dangerous hides in the nearby jungle, watching and waiting.

It has been some time since I have enjoyed an Archie comic book as much as I enjoyed Archie vs. Predator #1.  For the most part, the Predator is a background player in this first issue.  What makes this such a good Archie comic book is that writer Alex de Campi encapsulates eight decades of rivalries, jealousies, and disputes into 22-pages.  The charm of Archie and company is not just that they are friends; it is also about their conflicts and schemes, although I must admit to being surprised at the physical intensity and emotional distress de Campi depicts in this story.

The art team of Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski (an Archie Comics writer-artist), and Jason Millet capture the classic Archie look, which is based on the work of the late Dan DeCarlo, probably the most influential Archie Comics artist of all time.  Archie vs. Predator #1 looks like an Archie comic book and graphically, it reads like one.

I am waiting for the Predator's presence to explode in this story, probably next issue.  For now, I implore anyone who has ever liked an Archie comic book to try the first issue of Archie vs. Predator.

A

[This volume includes a one-age bonus story, “Sabrina Meets Hellboy” by Alex de Campi, Robert Hack, and Clem Robins.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

I Reads You Review: CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #1

CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA #1
ARCHIE COMICS

STORY: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
ART: Robert Hack
LETTERS: Jack Morelli
COVER/VARIANT COVER: Robert Hack
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“The Crucible” Chapter One: “Something Wicked”

Rated Teen + (Violence and mature content)

I first became a fan of Archie Comics character, Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch, when I was a small child and saw the old Filmation animated series starring Sabrina, which aired under different titles.  I think Sabrina was the first fictional white woman with whom I fell in love, and probably started me on the road to loving fictional white chicks, especially, for a long time, blondes.  For a few years, I was a regular viewer of the ABC (and later, The WB) live-action series, “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch” (1996-2003), which starred Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina.

It was some years after first discovering Sabrina that I learned that she was an actual comic book character, although I have rarely ever read a Sabrina comic book.  Now, there is a new Sabrina comic book series, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, drawn by Robert Hack, and lettered by Jack Morelli.  It is also a genuine horror comic book.  Say what!

Late in 2013, Archie Comics began publishing a sort of alternate version of its world of Archie Andrews, his friends, and the bucolic town of Riverdale.  Afterlife with Archie found Riverdale and the surrounding area caught in a zombie apocalypse, with many beloved Archie characters transformed into flesh-eating ghouls or becoming the victims of those flesh-eating ghouls.  Created by Aguirre-Sacasa and drawn by Francesco Francavilla, Afterlife with Archie was a hit.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is not about zombies.  It is a re-imagination of Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch, not as a cartoonish witch like the kind found in the old television series, “Bewitched.”  Sabrina is a witch with an occult, even satanic, origin.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 (“The Crucible” Chapter One: “Something Wicked”) opens in Westbridge, Massachusetts on October 31, 1951.   It is a year after the birth of Sabrina Spellman, a child born of a “mortal woman” (Diana) and a “diabolical father” (Edward Theodore Spellman).  Diana and Edward's union is a crime against “witch law,” but the marriage yields young Sabrina, a beautiful child with much potential.  The occasion of her first birthday, however, is a time of change and tragedy.

Nearly 13 years later, in September of 1964, Sabrina is a new high school student, living with her spinster aunts, Hilda and Zelda, in the town of Greendale.  Her only friends are her familiar, the talking cat Salem, and her cousin, the boy-warlock, Ambrose.  Sabrina is ready to be a normal high school girl, although she does not realize that even in “normal” Greendale, there is darkness.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina recalls the kind of hoary and gruesome horror and weird fiction that the late publisher, Warren, did so well in horror comics magazines like Eerie and Creepy.  This comic book has similarities to or at least a creepy vibe reminiscent of 1970s occult films like Carrie, The Omen, Race the Devil, and Rosemary's Baby, among others.  This comic book even reminds me of Rob Zombie's recent half-ridiculous/half-brilliant, Satanic art movie, The Lords of Salem.  I also keep waiting for Hammer Films-era Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee to show up in this new Sabrina.

I like Chilling Adventures of Sabrina because I'm impressed that Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa has the gall to do this to Sabrina the Teenaged Witch and that Archie Comics has the balls to publish it.  However, it is taking me a while to warm to Robert Hack's drawing style, although his storytelling is good.  I am ready for more of this.

[This comic book reprints “Presenting Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch,” which was first published in Archie's Madhouse #22 (October 1962).  The story is written by George Gladir, pencilled by Dan DeCarlo, inked by Rudy Lapick, and lettered by Vincent DeCarlo.]

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina #1 reprints the story in which Sabrina first appeared.  The best part of this story is the art by Sabrina's co-creator, cartoonist Dan DeCarlo, a consummate stylist and one of the best graphic designers ever to work in American comics.  His impeccable compositions, especially in his work of the 1950s and 60s, reflect the skills of a talented draftsman.

One thing that did surprise me was that this debut-version of Sabrina is impish and a bit salacious, not at all as I remember her in the cartoon TV series.  That original Sabrina could still be a comic book star today.

ArchieHorror.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.