Best of From the Tomb Magazine

Best of From the Tomb Magazine

TwoMorrows Publishing has published The Best of From the Tomb Magazine! Order your copy today!

Since 2000, From The Tomb has terrified readers worldwide, as the preeminent magazine on the history of horror comics, with stellar writing and intensely frightening illustrations from the best talent in the industry. Produced in the UK, issues have been scarce and highly collectible in the US, and here's your chance to see what you've been missing!

Horror Comic Roundup - 5/14/13

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 9:45 AM 0 comments

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!

Bodie Troll #1 (Red 5 Comics) 
Decapitated Dan: I'll say this once on this review and that's it, Jay Fosgitt knows how to make comics! This book was beyond awesome, and while I don't know if it's 100% horror, it's 100% humor, and I love my comedy comics. The start of the issue really leads the way to all the great jokes to come, I mean come on you cute little Boddie, scare a damn goat! This book will show you something special, and that is the amazing talent of Fosgitt (oops I lied, Jay rocks all over everything). No way around this one, buy it, and buy it now, because this is an amazing comic, created by one talented man. Best part that I left out until now, it's for all ages! Read this comic!!!! - Dying Breath 5.0 out of 5.0

Chin Music #1 (Image) 
Decapitated Dan: I think I get what happened here, but what the hell happened here? The opening scene, which I am guessing took place in Chicago, played out great, thanks to the great visuals of Tony Harris. It was interesting, even though there was no dialogue.  However from there it just got way off track. Jump to Egypt, where I I am guessing a demon fight takes place. We learn how the Sphinx loses its nose, and then see the "good" demon have his flesh ripped from his bones. GORE-Geous art on that skinless character. So enter office Elliot Ness, who gets touched by the demon, flash forward back to Chicago and.... It ends with a literal bang. The best part was the opening scene to the final page, read it to find out why. This issue though had too many things going on with nothing to help bring anything together. It just screams what for the trade, I'm kinda letdown by what was presented in this first issue. - Dying Breath 2.0 out of 5.0

Crawling Sky #3 (Antarctic Press)
Decapitated Dan: Oh, oh yeah, there it is, woo hoo!!!! Thank you Mr. Denham for the visual horror-gasm on page 2 of this issue!!! This book is a must read! I love every single second of it. The Lansdale's are delivering one fantastic story, that I will say always seems short, but that is because I want it to keep going. I never want an issue to end. Once I get past the awesome story telling thou, I get to how agh-mazing the visuals are by Denham. This book is beautiful from start to finish. I know, it's just gush, gush, gush from me, but man this was an awesome issue, and it's just proving why all horror books from Antarctic should be read. This company knows amazing horror, and this book proves why. I LOVE IT!! - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5.0

Creepy #12 (Dark Horse)
Decapitated Dan: Uncle Creepy is back once again with 8 Short stories to terrify all of you helpless readers. While I thought that the first story in the issue felt a little too much like the opening story in the movie Creepshow, I did enjoy it. My favorite of the stories had to be Fishing by Ron Marz and Richard P. Clark. I thought it had the best pacing and artwork of the bunch. Overall I still highly enjoy this anthology series, but I would honestly love to see it remove the one reprint story and add in an all new original tale. Good stuff yet again from this Ghastly Award winning title. - Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Billy Dunleavy: OK, so, I’ve read Creepy (and Eerie) before, and was impressed but not enough to keep reading every time it dropped. Well, I’m glad to say that this issue more than likely hooked me in for the long haul. You get five great stories in this issue, and believe me when I say that they were all solid! A great one right out of the gate by horror stalwart Richard Corben, then a fish tale by Ron Marz (Witchblade, Ravine) & Richard P. Clark. A Hollywood gone wrong story written and illustrated by Matthew Allison is followed by a timeless tale of spirit swapping by legends Archie Goodwin and Steve Ditko! The book is wrapped up by a military narrative involving a pack of savage wolves by John Arcudi (BPRD) and artist Julián Totino Tedesco. - Rating 4.0 out of 5.0


Dark Shadows #16 (Dynamite) 

Billy Dunleavy: If you haven’t been reading this title, shame on you, because Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend) has really brought his “A” game after taking over the writing duties nearly a year ago. He’s crafted a story that has Barnabas Collins as the centerpiece, but also a plethora of supporting characters to bring it to greater heights. In this issue, Barnabas has been possessed by a powerful demon, and it’s up to his family and one of his oldest enemies to exorcise the demon, or die trying! Also, in the future, the Collins family is being wiped out by…Barnabas?  Rating 4.0 out of 5.0

Demon Knights #20 (DC) 
Billy Dunleavy: After only reading a couple of issues early on in this run, I decided to read the latest issue of this series. Early on, Paul Cornell (Captain Britain & the MI13), was doing the writing, and did a fine job at that. Now, Robert Venditti is writing, and he has a list of decent credits too. Not quite as accomplished in comics as Cornell, but good nonetheless. This issue was a mystery to me because it didn’t recap the previous one, but the “300” feel to this issue, and a Cthulu-esque mythological beast made up for that! Artist Chad Hardin did a fantastic job especially with Etrigan and that aforementioned beast. The book did actually begin with a flashback/dream sequence to one of the characters being bitten by a vampire, and that was pretty cool too. - Rating 3.0 out of 5.0

Ferals #14 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan: Okay, I'll be honest, I haven't read past issue #6 in this series, and I feel like a fool. This issue was really good, and honestly, kind of a safe place to jump on. While I did miss out on a few things, I was able to pick some things up from what took place here. This is more of a wordy issue, so there is a good deal of build. Something big is about to go down, so I only have 1 month to try and get caught up. Great issue, that has my interest piqued to the point where I need to go back and read what I missed. Hopefully I will learn that sleeping on this one was a big mistake. - Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Helheim #2 (Oni Press)
Decapitated Dan: While I didn't love issue #1, I thought it jumped over too much story, I still loved the concept of what was going on in this issue. So that being said, I knew I was going to check out #2, plus I love Bunn's writing and the artwork by Jones is fang-tastic. The story in this issue was more straight forward, the plot didn't jump around, I was easily able to follow everything. I still think that there is soooo much more to be explained in coming issues, and I am now really looking forward to that. The big praise for this issue though goes to Joelle Jones and Nick Filardi, because this book is GORE-Geous! The fight scenes just jumped off the pages, it's an absolute beauty to look at. I really think it just comes down to more of the story being told before I can say this one is a don't miss, but it's not there just yet. - Dying Breath 3.5 out of 5.0

Night of the 80's Undead #1 (Action Lab / Danger Zone)
Decapitated Dan:
This is issue does a great job of making me think 80's, but probably for a different reason then you would expect. I think that the story tries to hard to impress, instead of standing out for what it has working for it. There are TONS of great 80's references here, but it felt like overkill about halfway through. Let the reader see the what you are visually representing without having to point everything out. The story though is a great fun take on the zombie genre, and I loved how the people become zombies. It is a very clever twist. The artwork is great throughout the issue, and Bill McKay really delivers on the horror scenes. Overall I liked this issue, but I really think it was trying to hard on some levels. If you love the 80's and you love zombies, then this should be a no brainier to add this to your collection. - Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5.0

Night of the Living Dead: Aftermath #7 (Avatar)
Decapitated Dan:
Now this was a great issue! A fantastic recap of how one of the survivors got to be with the group, that will not let you down on the gore. I loved seeing that damn Rico in pieces in the bathtub. It almost reads like a one-shot issue, until you get to the fantastic scene of some doctors experimenting to find a cure. That poor bastard never saw it coming. This series has been great so far. While I'm not huge on the artwork as a while, I think that Chaparro really delivers on the horror scenes. Hine is by far one of my favorite horror writers, and he is doing an amazing job on this series so far. Great stuff! - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5.0

Horror Comic Roundup Image drawn by Travis Wayne Pursell, colors by Decapitated Dan
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Horror Comic Roundup - 5/7/13

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 6:18 AM 0 comments
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 #2 (Image)

Decapitated Dan: Oh man I LOVE THIS SERIES! I can not get over how awesome the concept is, and if you don't know what I mean by that please go listen to my interview with writer Mark Kidwell on Episode #2 of Monsters &Metal. I will say that this issue was a lot more build into explaining the main cast, but when I got to that tiger scene I was ready to throw some punches to. Zornow's art is GORE-Geous on every panel. Plain and simple read '68, this series, the previous 2, the one shots, who cares which ones... READ '68! - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5


Apocalypse Man #1 (Sun Bros Studios)
Decapitated Dan: Ok #1, this has to be the greatest cover of the year! I'm a sucker for an awesome alligator cover and this book delivered that. I think the best way to sum up this issue is, what a twist. I did not see that coming, and had to read it twice to make sure there was no way to see it coming. Great writing on this book. The concept is great too. What are the eggs damn it?! What are they! I need to know more, I really do, and I need to know soon. The GORE-Geous artwork, which you can easily fall in love with just based on the cover, is perfect throughout the issue. This book is a perfect combination of two talented creators, it just so happens they are brothers. If this is a one shot then I am really happy how it all played out. If this is a mini series or ongoing though, I'm gonna need more really fast. Fantastic stuff, you need to check this book out. Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

Colonized #2 (IDW) 

Decapitated Dan: This book puts me in a very tough spot. One the one hand I love the concept and artwork. One the other hand the story just seems to have holes in it, and way too much is going on way to fast. After reading this issue twice, I'm not saying I won't read anymore of it, I just think it could be simplified a little. How is it Aliens land on earth, and no one is really that terrified? They are all more worried about the zombies. I do love a zombie sheep though, that was awesome along with the cows. Overall it's not a bad read, but I just think it's too much going on at the moment. - Dying Breath 3.0 out of 5



FRIGHTFEAST #2 (FRIGHTFEAST Comix)

Decapitated Dan: Have you ever listened to a really bad ass Death Metal song, music that has a killer sound but vocals that you probably can't understand, but just don't care because it's awesome?

 That kid of sums up Fright Feast #2. This book is bad ass balls all over the walls gore-filled horror fun. The artwork is beyond amazing, and I think that the artist needs to start doing every single Death Metal CD cover from now until the end of time. Yeah, the visuals are not for the faint of heart, but I think anyone who enjoys gore horror movies would really dig this book. To lend a hand those movie lovers out there, the story reads like a fantastic B-Movie. I didn't think that the opening scene really fit into the overall story, but everything else was fang-tastic. If you love underground comics and/or gorey horror films you need to check this book out. Always an awesome job by Creator Mark K. - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5




Haunted Horror #4 (IDW)
Billy Dunleavy: To say that series is great would be an understatement. IDW has brought these age old stories back from the dead, and done a fantastic job with that indeed. You get a whopping seven stories in this issue, and each one had a unique take on something terrifying. The story about the possessed puppet was the one that stood out. It was creepy and the artwork was equally as macabre. Another tale, that involved locusts and harpies, and then one about a man-eating plant, were also very solid. Again, overall the entire book was gold but those stories definitely were head and shoulders above the rest. - Rating 5 out of 5


Decapitated Dan: I've said it before, and I will say it again. I think that Yoe, Gussoni and our very own Steve Banes, do an amazing job choosing stories that all work very well together. As odd as it sounds to call old reprints fresh, this book really is a breath of fresh "old" air. The amount of story you used to get for cover price is amazing compared to today's standards, and this comic will show you why. My favorite story was probably the final story "Terror on the TV". It might look like a simple concept today, but place yourself in 1954 and think about it, yeah, you crapped your pants. I love this title, I love what it is bringing to the comic public, and all I can say is read it, you will be glad you did. - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5


Justice League Dark #19 (DC)
Billy Dunleavy: I’ve only read a few issues of this series, but when I have, it’s been amazing. The creative team (Lemire, Fawkes, Janin, & Cifuentes) do a fantastic job with the story and visuals. Constantine is attacked, and this causes him to lose his connection with the House of Mystery. He calls on his team (Frankenstein, Madame Xanadu, Deadman) to help, but first they must find the house. To do that, they must coax an unwilling Swamp Thing into helping them! An appearance by the Flash, and then a big reveal of the villain at the end make this book a winner!– Rating 4 out of 5


Ten Grand #1 (Image)

Decapitated Dan: Ok, I don't love detective books, I really don't. However the concept of this one is great. There was a perfect mix of build and mystery that I can not wait for issue #2 to come out. I've always been a fan of JMS's comic work, and I think this one is bordering on being the next big thing from Image. Lastly those visuals by Templesmith, just melted my eyes right out of the socket. Awesome start! - Dying Breath 4.0 out of 5


The Eighth Seal #1 (Comixology)  
Decapitated Dan: 
I don't know what to say other then, WOW! That scene where she was reading the book just blew me away. The best way to view that scene is to just tap like crazy on your reading device, because it is so animated. MAN I LOVED THAT!!!! I am really loving this concept and the  fantastic execution of everything so far. A perfect horror read that I can not wait to read more of! I need more now!!! - Dying Breath 4.5 out of 5

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Monsters & Metal: Episode #2

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 6:14 AM 0 comments
Welcome to Monsters & Metal Episode #2, the internet's hardest hitting, in your face mix of Horror Comics and Heavy Metal! Join Decapitated Dan and F(r)iends each month as they keep you up to date on what is going on in the world of Horror Comics, while playing some of the World's best Metal tracks!

On this Episode:

• Decapitated Dan and Dirk Manning introduce the show.
(www.decapitateddan.com AND https://www.facebook.com/dirkmanning)

• Mad Season "Lifeless Dead"

• Decapitated Dan interviews Parker Jameson of Starkill
(https://www.facebook.com/StarkillOfficial)

Century Media Spotlight: Starkill "Wash Away the Blood With Rain"(https://www.facebook.com/StarkillOfficial)

• Dark Horse Discourse Segment with Aub Driver
(http://www.darkhorse.com/)

• Arsis "Sunglasses at Night" 
(http://www.nuclearblast.de/de/label/music/band/about/71056.arsis.html)

• Decapitated Dan interviews Mark Kidwell about '68
(http://www.68zombie.com/)

Century Media Spotlight: Dark Tranquility "For Broken Words"
(http://www.darktranquillity.com/)

• Lunatic's Fringe Segment with Edward Dunphy and Andrew Kudelka 
(http://www.mongrelcomic.com/

• KMFDM "A Drug Against War"
(http://www.kmfdm.net/)

• Decapitated Dan interviews Adam Miller
(www.facebook.com/millerstrations OR http://www.youtube.com/user/ZombieBombTV)

Century Media Spotlight: Into the Flood "The Destroyer" 
(https://www.facebook.com/intothefloodband)

• Monster Messaging Segment with Dave Elliott
(https://www.facebook.com/AtomekaPress AND http://deevelliott.deviantart.com/)

• Grace the Damned "Aurora Borealis"
(https://www.facebook.com/GracetheDamned )

• I Hate Everything You Love Segment with Douglas Paszkiewicz
(http://www.arseniclullabies.com/

• Fear Factory "Pisschrist"
(http://www.fearfactory.com)


• Decapitated Dan interviews Cromwell Green Creators Michael Wooley and Jessica Kobe
(https://www.facebook.com/cromwell.green.71?fref=ts)

Century Media Spotlight: In This Moment "Whore"
(http://inthismomentofficial.com/wordpress/)


• Decapitated Dan recaps the past month sponsored by the Ghastly Awards
(www.GhastlyAwards.com)

• The Browning "Bloodlust"
(https://www.facebook.com/TheBrowningOfficial)


Make sure to check out our website www.monstersandmetal.com for info on all the Hosts and Bands on this episode. Also make sure to send in questions to Doug's I Hate Everything You Love segment, as well as give us feedback on the show.

So until next month, Keep them Horns Up, and Support Good Horror!

Download Episode #2 Here
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Ghastly Awards - April 2013 Update

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 11:35 AM 0 comments


Horror comics are becoming more and more frequent in our reading culture, and the Ghastly Awards are here to recognize, through Horror Comic submissions, those that shine the brightest. We encourage all Comic Creators to take the time to head over to www.ghastlyawards.com and submit your work for 2013 Ghastly Award Nomination consideration.
    
Creators please remember that you can submit your Horror Comic work through out the calendar year! For the month of April 2013 the judges are recommending you take a look at: 

Bedlam #6 (Image Comics) - Through this comics past 5 issues it has presented more questions than answers, but this issue will help to answer some of those, but of course will leave you with more. Nick Spencer still keeps these characters insanely interesting with not giving everything away. This comic balances so many different themes from crime, psychology, religion and still begs you to answer is evil just something you are or something you do? - Spaced (http://www.facebook.com/NerdGirlsEyeView

Dark Shadows Year One #1 (Dynamite) - Those familiar with the origin of vampire Barnabas Collins will be treading on familiar ground here, still writer Marc Andreyko throws in a few touches to make it different enough from the television version for long-time fans to check out. For the rest of you who do want to wade through hundreds of episodes of the TV show - or worse, the atrocious Tim Burton movie - but nevertheless want to know how a 19th century gentleman became one of the most famous bloodsuckers, here’s your chance. The characters’ look and sound are incredibly faithful to the source yet adapt well to the comic format. A great companion to the excellent monthly Dark Shadows comic.  – Pedro Cabezuelo (http://www.rue-morgue.com/)

Constantine #2 (DC) -Everybody knows that John Constantine is a jerk.  He keeps himself as obnoxious as possible because he fears the harm that will come to anyone close to him ("Magic is costly you take what you didn't earn, but you pay for it.  You want to trust me on that.")  With the reboot of Constantine folded into DC's The New 52, it's no surprise that in this issue our favorite cigarette addict gets a comeuppance from The Spectre.  But it's not all crossover love, there's some interesting build-up and one of the four sorcerers that John has come up against has a "special horror" in store.  If the gorgeous artwork by Renato Guides is any indication, Constantine #3: London Wants Me Dead looks very tasty indeed.  - Denise Dutton (atomicfangirl.com)

Miniature Jesus #1 (Image) - I'm insanely excited for this series. There is so much potential here. It's just the right amount of weird for me. Being the first issue, we don't get a ton of information... just a bunch of teasers of what's to come. The story starts with a rugged, rough around the edges, recovering alcoholic who talks to a mummified cat and has to battle his (personified--demonified?) desire to drink. We then switch over to another storyline (which will no doubt converge with our alcoholic in the next issue) about a crazed, overzealous pastor who has a very strange experience with his small Jesus on a cross figurine. Like I said, I'm really excited for this series because the horror of it all is in the bizarreness. We tend to feel fear at the things we don't understand and I think Miniature Jesus will walk that line quite nicely. The writing is solid but the art is really the highlight for me. This comic is definitely not to be missed.  – Bree Ogden (agentbree.wordpress.com)

Abe Sapien #1: Dark and Terrible (Dark Horse) - The world is overrun with monsters of all shapes and sizes (mostly of the big 'n scary type), meanwhile, the B.P.R.D. are still hunting for their MIA agent-- Abe Sapien! Mignola and Allie propel this anticipated creature infested feature into ominous high gear, the first of a 3 issue horror adventure mini-series, with eerie artwork by Sebastian Fiumara and creeptacular colors by Dave Stewart. – Steve Banes (http://thehorrorsofitall.blogspot.com/)

Killogy #4 (IDW) -  Alan Robert brings his latest zombie adventure to a close, and what a fantastic final issue. Robert manages to blend together elements of grindhouse horror, dark comedy, and gritty crime all while managing an all-star cast of unlikely heroes. For those of you familiar with Robert's previous work, he changes up his art style with Killogy and it works wonders. This is just a damn fun book. I wish there was more. – Lonnie Nadler (www.Bloody-Disgusting.com)

Godzilla: The Half Century War #5 (IDW) - James Stokoe's epic Kaiju drama continues into the new millennium and his storytelling is, as always, top-notch! But the real draw here (pun intended) is Stokoe's lovingly detailed and thrilling artwork. Gigan, Ghidorah and Mecha-Godzilla duke it out with everybody's favorite 'Zilla in page after page of relentless monster assault! Quite an apocalyptic tale here... could it be the end? Well... there's supposed to be one more episode, and I can't wait for it! This mini-series is the best Kaiju-Komic I've ever enjoyed... Stokoe is doing something completely original yet wonderfully familiar with his labor of love. Highly recommended. - Mike Howlett (http://eeriepublications.blogspot.com/) 

'68: Jungle Jim #1 (Image): What do you get when you mix awesome with awesomer and then top it all off with a good helping of awesomest? You get '68: Jungle Jim #1 of course! The zombie infestation meets the Vietnam War is back, and it blows your eyes out within the first few pages, thanks to the GORE-Geous artwork of Jeff Zornow. The story by Kidwell moves at a fantastic pace, and it's just an all around fantastic first issue. I can not wait for more of this series. I love every single MOTHER F'*&#'ING PAGE!  - Decapitated Dan (www.decapitateddan.com) 

Haunted Horror #4 (IDW): I've said it before, and I will say it again. I think that Yoe, Gussoni and our very own Steve Banes, do an amazing job choosing stories that all work very well together. As odd as it sounds to call old reprints fresh, this book really is a breath of fresh "old" air. The amount of story you used to get for cover price is amazing compared to today's standards, and this comic will show you why. My favorite story was probably the final story "Terror on the TV". It might look like a simple concept today, but place yourself in 1954 and think about it, yeah, you crapped your pants. I love this title, I love what it is bringing to the comic public, and all I can say is read it, you will be glad you did.  - Decapitated Dan (www.decapitateddan.com)


Creators and Publishers please make sure to go over to www.ghastlyawards.com to submit your books for 2013 Nomination consideration! More informaiton on how the submission process works can be found here http://ghastlys.blogspot.com/2010/10/submit-your-horror-comic-to-be.html
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Ghastly Awards - February 2013 Update

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 5:56 AM 1 comments


Horror comics are becoming more and more frequent in our reading culture, and the Ghastly Awards are here to recognize, through Horror Comic submissions, those that shine the brightest. We encourage all Comic Creators to take the time to head over to www.ghastlyawards.com and submit your work for 2013 Ghastly Award Nomination consideration.
    
Creators please remember that you can submit your Horror Comic work through out the calendar year! For the month of February 2013 the judges are recommending you take a look at: 

Colder #4 (Dark Horse) - Who knew you could get a contact buzz off of insanity!  When Declan wants his long time caretaker, Reece to understand what he has been going through all those years when he was in a frozen coma. He decides to take her on a trip of pure insanity. Declan transports Reece to a world only crazy people can see and in this world is the craziest of them all Nimble Jack who is the reason that Declan is colder. Declan does his best to shield Reece from the insanity she witnesses, but with Nimble Jack on their backside time is running out to keep Reece sane and Declan colder. I really enjoyed this comic and will probably wish that it extended past its 5 issue run. I also enjoy a different take on crazy and using random crazy people as a portal to another world is pretty unique. The art is wonderful and the story is fast paced. The villain Nimble Jack feels like a character that only Stephen King could create. You will want to warm up to Colder. - Spaced (http://www.facebook.com/NerdGirlsEyeView

Baltimore: The Widow and The Tank (Dark Horse): Captain Lord Henry Baltimore has been busy since his debut in Baltimore, or the Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire.  Haigus, the vampire that destroyed his family, has eluded our driven hero, but that doesn't stop Baltimore from ending as many vamps as he can come across.  In The Widow and The Tank, readers get two short tales that deal with things outside his usual hunt for the Red King.  In "The Widow", Baltimore visits a woman whose husband died in the war...but if the rumors are true he came home nonetheless.  In "The Tank", Baltimore discovers a vampire in hiding.  But what could a vampire be scared of?  As usual, Mignola and Golden deliver the creepy goodness, all the while staying true to the overall story arc.  A special shout-out to colorist Dave Stewart for the faded sepia tones juxtaposed with bright pops of color.  With this one-shot it helps to know the very basics of Baltimore himself -- his passionate search for the vampire that ruined his life -- but even if you don't this one-shot is dark fun.  (BTW, I read this particular issue on my phone thanks to the Dark Horse app and a nasty cold that kept me from my local comic shop.  The digital images are absolutely gorgeous!) - Denise Dutton (atomicfangirl.com)

Lot 13 (DC Comics): Just when I think I've figured it out, Lot 13 keeps pulling the rug rudely from beneath me--keeping me on my tippiest of tippy toes. Issue #4 picks up right after Ron, the patriarch of our protagonist family is sledgehammered in the head by a dead (dead like over 100 years dead) henchmen to an also dead Judge. The crime? Trespassing in the world of the dead. Rewind. When a family makes the deadliest decision of their lives and stay overnight in a crummy rent-a-room-by-the-day apartment building, they inadvertently cross over into the land of the dead. Several horrific deaths have occurred on that plot of land... and as a young dead boy says, quite profoundly, "Evil stays where evil dies." Issue #4 continues with wrongs being righted and ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. Like I said. Rug. Pulled. Go back and catch up on this horrifying series by Steve Niles, which if you ask me was an incredibly bold choice for DC Comics. Issue #5 (final issue) comes out mid March. – Bree Ogden (agentbree.wordpress.com)

Haunted Horror #3 (IDW):  IDW / Yoe Comics horror hosts Forelock the Warlock and Mr. Karswell return with the third installment of repulsive pre code reprints, this time featuring tales about vengeful spirits, slimy sea monsters, vicious vampires and eerie eyeballs-- with knock-out artistic talent from Myron Fass, Sheldon Moldoff, Ross Andru, Jack Cole, Rudy Palais and more! 45 story pages in full color and a classic torture / bondage cover by Tony Mortellaro! $3.99. – Steve Banes (http://thehorrorsofitall.blogspot.com/)

Bedlam #4 (Image): After the first issue of Bedlam, I wasn't sold. It felt like a decent Joker story that was too controversial for DC to publish. However, Nick Spencer and Riley Rossmo have spun it into something else altogether and issue #4 is the best yet. Fillmore Press takes the term "homicidal maniac" to a new level. He's truly demented and Rossmo's art brings out his red hot insanity. – Lonnie Nadler (www.Bloody-Disgusting.com)

Creepy #11 (Dark Horse): Imagine my joy when I saw that the new issue of the Ghastly Award-winning Creepy was going to meld together my two favorite comic genres; horror and romance! Aside from the text-heavy cover by Chrissie Zullo (which looks more like a Disney poster than a horror comic), this issue pretty much delivers the goods. Gilbert Hernandez's artwork is even more primitive than usual (but still bold and animated) in his tale "Two Faces Have I" and his script is great; he gets horror comics. There is more excellent artwork by Amy Reeder (on a J. Torres story) and Joëlle Jones, and Chrissie Zullo really shines with her artwork on “Curse of the Moon Maiden”. Add to this three Peter Bagge gag pages (he is the Sergio Arogones of the title!) and you have a nice little package, well worth your money. There is also a Johnny Craig/ Archie Goodwin reprint, which is, of course, gorgeous but not needed, in my opinion. I realize that the reprints are advertisements for Dark Horse's Creepy and Eerie  archive books, but I still would love to see an "ALL NEW!!" on the cover one day. - Mike Howlett (http://eeriepublications.blogspot.com/) 
Crow: Skinning the Wolves #3 (IDW): The Crow series is always hit or miss for me. I either really love the story presented or I hate it. This particular mini by O'Barr and Terry was knocked out of the park. Taking place in a Concentration Camp, I really saw that loss that brings about the Crow character. The first 2 issues were a great build to the final reveal of what had happened. This was a true story of revenge, and the fact that it took place within actual events made it hit home better. Amazing mini series. I will not be surprised to see this one up for an Award or 2 at the end of the year. - Decapitated Dan (www.decapitateddan.com) 
Creators and Publishers please make sure to go over to www.ghastlyawards.com to submit your books for 2013 Nomination consideration! More informaiton on how the submission process works can be found here http://ghastlys.blogspot.com/2010/10/submit-your-horror-comic-to-be.html
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2012 Ghastly Award Winners

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 8:40 AM 0 comments

The 2012 Ghastly Award Winners

The Ghastly Award Judges are proud to announce the Winners of the 2012 Ghastly Awards. Nominees were chosen from entries nominated by their professional peers: Comic Book Artists, Writers, and Publishers. Winners were chosen by the Ghastly Awards Judges, Comic Book Creators and the Fans. The Ghastly Judicial Panel congratulates all 2012 Winners and Nominees. It is an honor to be recognized by your fellow professionals for such outstanding work in horror comics.

The 2012 Winners are:

Best Ongoing Title:
The Walking Dead (Image) 

Best Mini-Series:
Deadworld: War of the Dead (IDW)

Best One-Shot: 
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Conqueror Worm (Dark Horse) 

Best New Series (Fans Decided the Winner):
Mars Attacks (IDW) 

Best Anthology:
Creepy (Dark Horse) 

Best OGN:
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Book 1 (Heavy Metal) 

Best Archival Collection: 
 The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics: Zombies (IDW/Yoe Books)

Best Writer:  
 Steve Niles (Criminal Macabre, 30 Days of Night, Transfusion, Frankenstein Alive, Alive, Lot 13)

Best Artist:
 Simon Bisley (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Hellblazer)

Best Inker:
 Bernie Wrightson (Frankenstein Alive, Alive) 

Best Letterer:
 Nate Piekos (Creepy, The Goon, Ragemoor)

Best Colorist:
 Dave Stewart (B.P.R.D.) 

Best Web Comic:
Crossed: Wish You Were Here (www.crossedcomic.com)

Hall of Fame Inductees:
Al Feldstein & Bill Gaines
Bernie Wrightson

Named for acclaimed comics creator "Ghastly" Graham Ingels, the Awards are in their 2nd year. Created to honor excellence in Horror Comics, every comic creator had a say in who the nominees were by nominating their favorites throughout the year.

We thank everyone who took the time to nominate and vote in the 2012 Awards. The submission process is now open for the 2013 Awards!

We congratulate all of the Winners and Nominees for what they bring to the comic reading community. To be nominated by your comic book creating peers is a big honor and the Ghastly Awards are here to celebrate your achievements.

For more information on the Ghastly Awards, or to submit your horror comics for the 2013 Award season please go to www.ghastlyawards.com.
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Crawling Sky #1 – Review

Posted by Decapitated Dan On 9:07 AM 0 comments


Issue: Crawling Sky #1
Writer: Joe R. Lansdale, Keith Lansdale
Artist: Brian Denham
Publisher: Antarctic Press
Release Date: January 2013

“Horror novel legends Joe R. Lansdale and Keith Lansdale team up with Brian Denham (X-Files, Zombie Kid Diaries) and Antarctic Press to bring you a tale o’ terror set in the wild, weird West! When his dad accidentally commits murder, plug-ugly Norville had to flee with him to Texas to start a new life. Near the town of Wood Tick, Norville gets himself a bride, and they find a homestead, good as new but abandoned. The only problem is the well, which is blocked by big, white stones. One by one, he unblocks the well, unaware he’s slowly setting free something old and dark and evil…”

Dying Breath: 5.0 out of 5
Yes! The day has finally come when I get to lay my hand of this highly anticipated comic. For months I have patiently been waiting for this issue to come out, and it did not disappoint. The artwork by Denham is GOREgeous! These black and whites just shine on every page. On the few pages with no wording, his work just delivers everything the reader will need. I simply can not put enough praise into these words to explain how amazing the visuals are in this book. The story by the Lansdale’s is right on par with the artwork. In this issue they deliver this fantastic introduction to the cast, as well as create a suspenseful monster that has yet to be seen. I loved where this issue went, and can not wait to see where it is going. I’m not big on horror western comics, but when it is as perfectly as this, I am on board. The long wait for this to come out is finally over and it was worth it. Throw on your boots, get on your horse and get yer britches into your comic shop for this awesome first issue!

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 5.0 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Crawling Sky you can find it at http://www.antarctic-press.com

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