Review: Approbation's THE BEAST

THE BEAST - OGN
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
LETTERS: Elisa Coletti
EDITORS: John P. Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER: Marcelo Salaza
48pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. / $2.99 U.S. comiXology; (2016; digital release date – August 31, 2016)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only – comiXology rating

The Beast is a one-shot horror comic book from Approbation Comics.  It is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez; colored by Schimerys Baal; and lettered by Elisa Coletti.  The story focuses on a group of college friends (or “frenemies”), a mangled hunter, and an unidentifiable creature.

The Beast introduces college students:  Parker, Julia, Henry, Ben, Sue, Clark, Anna, and Kelly.  They take an RV into the woods to swim, to fun, and to fuck each other silly.  However, old rivalries and simmering grudges rear their ugly heads.  In fact, Ben is sure that Kelly is going to give him some shaky pudding, but he discovers something about her that brings out the beast in him.  Meanwhile, a hunter with a mangled arm and an unknown creature are awaiting them in the woods.

I have to say that The Beast is not one of Approbation Comics' better efforts, although it is an entertaining read.  As usual, however, B. Alex Thompson, the modern master of meat-grinder horror comics, turns in a gleefully violent tale of terror dismemberment

Artists Marcelo Salaza and Ricardo Mendez still seem to be in the awkward composition phase, but they work hard on the storytelling.  Colorist Schimerys Baal splashes enough red around to have us swimming in blood to read this comic book.  Letterer Elisa Coletti continues to keep lettering in Approbation Comics strong.

The Beast reminds me of Thompson's crazy-ass and crazy-as-hell original graphic novel, Southern Hospitality (which predates The Beast by a few years).  Both comics are about ordinary people who are really insane slash monstrous killers or are ordinary people who must learn to hack and slash other ordinary people to death.  As I said earlier, The Beast is not great, but this comic book is meat for the beast... you know is inside you.

6 out of 10

Buy The Beast at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JEEPERS CREEPERS #1

JEEPERS CREEPERS, VOLUME 1 No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Marc Andreyko
ART: Kewber Baal
COLORS: Jorge Sutil
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Kelley Jones with Doug Hazlewood
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Kewber Baal with Schimerys Baal
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 25, 2018)

Rated “Teen+”

Jeepers Creepers created by Victor Salva

Jeepers Creepers is a 2001 horror film written and directed by Victor Salva.  The film takes its name from the 1938 song "Jeepers Creepers" (which is featured in the film) and tells the story of two siblings who become the targets of a demonic creature in rural Florida.  Salva wrote and directed a sequel, Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003), and a third film, Jeepers Creepers 3 (2017), which is set in a time period between the first and second films.

The adversary in all three films is an ancient creature known as “the Creeper” that awakens every 23rd spring for 23 days.  During this awakening, the Creeper feasts on human body parts, which then form parts of the creature's own body.

Dynamite Entertainment recently obtained the license to produce comic books based on the Jeepers Creepers film, and the result is Jeepers Creepers Volume 1.  This new comic book series is written by Marc Andreyko; drawn by Kewber Baal; colored by Jorge Sutil; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

Jeepers Creepers, Volume 1 #1 introduces Devon James, an American college graduate student just arriving in Mexico.  He is there to work on his graduate thesis (“The Cross-Cultural Appearances of the Dragon in North American Mythology from the Aztecs to Today”).  When he arrives at the archaeological site, “The Lost Aztec City of Teotihuacan,” Devon decides that he should not act like a regular tourist and follow the tour guide.  Instead, he summons his inner Indiana Jones without realizing the danger in which he is putting himself.

Twenty pages of actual story for a cover price of $3.99 is long-term, slow suicide for the American comic book market.  For instance, Jeepers Creepers #1 offers some effective teasing, and that is what 20 pages of a first issue comic book narrative is today – a cock tease.  The teasing is so good here that I am ready for the second issue, and I imagine fans of the Jeepers Creepers films will also enjoy this comic book.  But 20 pages for $3.99...  I am emphasizing price point and page count because I think that they will negatively effect this new comic book's reception.  But this is a really good comic book.

Marc Andreyko's script diverges from the mythology of the films, but in a way that would still connect it to overall narrative of the franchise.  Kewber Baal, whom I remember from Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies (Approbation Comics), offers imaginative compositions, while Jorge Sutil's colors create the perfect Jeepers Creepers atmosphere and mood.  Taylor Esposito's lettering is all-around effective because he makes the dialogue and first person narration seem like one flowing conversation, although one floats in word balloons while the other sits in caption boxes.

Yes, the creative team of Jeepers Creepers #1 has delivered a first issue will make readers want to come back for more.  I know I want more.  I hope 20 pages/$3.99 does not hold some of us back.

8 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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I Reads You Review: CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES 11

CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES No. 11

APPROBATION COMICS

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson

ARTIST: Kewber Baal
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: S.W.O.L. Unlimited
COVER: Quinton Bedwell
28pp, Color, $4.99

“The Learning Curve”

Created by B. Alex Thompson, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics. Chaos Campus is a horror comedy that follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY): ass-kickin’ Jaime Schaeffer, brainy Paige Patton, and easy-on-the-eyes Brittany Miller.

On the night of the volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta, zombies invade the EAZY sorority house. Jamie, Paige, and Brittany escape only to discover that zombies have taken over The City. This buxom trio is probably humanity’s only hope of ending a zombie apocalypse. Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on a series of crazy adventures that strangely resemble classic horror movie scenarios.

After escaping, muscular slasher Kurtis Kasey (created by Phantom Avri) and the feral human/zombie hybrid, Patient X, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #11 reveals that the girls really haven’t escaped them. Now, they are separated, and Paige finds herself in the clutches of Violet Grimm a.k.a. Dogwitch. This Dogwitch may not be an adversary, however, because she has some things to teach Paige.

Referencing lots of pop culture, from The Matrix to The Bangles this time, Chaos Campus #11 is, as usual, a fun read. What makes it a little better are the revelations this issue offers into Paige Helena Patton and her unique powers and history. There is even a funny reference to an old NBC public service ad.

This issue also allows readers the chance to see more of Kewber Baal, whose penciling and inking skills continue to grow. There are some surprisingly, skillful compositions on several pages. The figure drawing, character design, and costumes are drawn at a level that is as good as what is in some Marvel and DC Comics titles.

A-

http://www.approbationcomics.com/

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I Reads You Review: CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #10

CHAOS CAMPUS SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #10
APPROBATION COMICS

WRITER/LETTERS: B. Alex Thompson
ARTIST: Cary Lee Baker
COLORS: Schimerys Baal
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: S.W.O.L. Unlimited
COVER: Quinton Bedwell
24pp, Color, $4.99

“Patient X”

Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a comic book series from Approbation Comics and creator B. Alex Thompson. Chaos Campus is a horror comic that follows the adventures of Jaime Schaeffer, Paige Patton, and Brittany Miller, who are three members of a sorority named Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY).

The terror begins on the night of a volleyball tournament between EAZY and its partner, Alpha Zeta Zeta. Zombies invade the EAZY sorority house. Jamie, Paige, and Brittany escape only to discover that zombies have taken over The City, and the trio is probably humanity’s only hope to end this zombie apocalypse. Since their escape from the sorority, the girls have been on a series of crazy adventures that strangely resemble such classic horror movies as The Evil Dead and Hellraiser.

After escaping the clutches of the gamer demon, Nihilism, Brittany, Paige, and Jamie begin Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #10 on a lush world full of zombie corpses?! Muscular slasher Kurtis Kasey (created by Phantom Avri) still stalks them, but now they also have to deal with “Patient X.”

As usual, B. Alex Thompson and company have produced another winning issue of Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies. With art by Cary Lee Baker and references to Aliens, Dead of the Dead (1985), Resident Evil, Chaos Campus #10 finds a way to freshen a “Dead” concept. Chaos Campus is the kind of thing that isn’t often done very well (certainly not done as often as some would thing). That thing is comic horror (or horror comedy), and these are zombies I enjoy seeing on a regular basis.

B+

http://www.approbationcomics.com/