3 New Reviews Added!!

Just added reviews for Of Evil and Darkness #1, Scattered Vol.1 and The Chair OGN. Come check them out!

2 New Reviews Added!!!

Just added 2 new reviews for The Fearless Zombie Hunters #1 and Kindergoth Special #1. So read them, then get excited, then go buy them. Support the independent horror scene.

New Review Posted

Just posted a review for 28 Days Later #1. Come check it out and see if you should pick up this issue next Wed. when it comes out.

2 New Reviews Added!

We just added reviews for Gothology: The Eternal Sad Book #1 and Split Lip Vol.1. So go to the reviews section to check them out!

3 New Reviews Added

We just added reviews for Jack #1, Son of 6 #1 and Pencilneck #1. So go to the reviews section to check them out!

Interview with Post Mortem Comics

Hey everyone. I just got a chance to ask John Parker, the owner/writer/ and artist of Post Mortem Comics, some questions about the what we PMC. Check it out.

Decapitated Dan: Hey John, thanks for taking the time to talk with me about Post Mortem Comics. What is PMC all about?

John Parker: You are very welcome. It is a pleasure getting to do this interview with you.

Post Mortem Comic Studios was brought to life to bring the old style horror and the newer styles of horror together under one company. We are dedicated to preserving the genre in anyway we can.

DD: What do you feel helps you stand out from the crowd in the Horror Comics genre?



JP: I think what makes us stand out from the rest of the horror genre comics, is that we offer a wider variety of horror than the rest do under one company. From the old Tales from the Crypt style comics to just straight up horror and on to the more graphic hard hitting styles. We will also be offering a couple of kids lines of comics later on this year.

DD: You mention Southern Thrillers as a characteristic on your site. Can you explain what that means?

JP: Southern Thrillers is a term that Scott used to describe some of our stuff. We base a lot of our scripts off of horror stories based here in the south. Also some might not be quite the horror genre and fall more towards the thriller side of things. We love to writer psychological stuff as well as we do the gore.

DD: How many titles are you currently working on (in regards to the company)?

JP: Right now we have 4 running titles released and 9 more titles that will release between now and the first of next year. The four running titles we have going right now are Fever, Dirt, Dorothy Rising and releasing this month the Symbiotic Friends (kids comic)....The 9 titles that will be releasing over the next few months are: The Cursed and the Damned, Operation Silver Moon, Shovel, Grave Robber, Ink, Grave Conditions, The Graveyard Kids,Post Mortem Comics Presents and Snarl.

DD: What influences did you have growing up that led you to want to get into horror comics?


JP: Growing up all I ever wanted to do was draw. I had books on top of books laying around the house where I would sit down and draw pictures of Conan and anything dealing with fantasy art. Two of my older cousins introduced me into the world of fantasy and horror. I think the first comic I remember picking up at thier house was The Savage Sword of Conan and one of the first books I picked up of thiers to read was Stephen King's Carrie. I also remember sneaking into my mom and dad's room one night while they were watching television in the living room and turning on thier tv. I was glued to the screen, scared to death of what I was seeing(The Exorsist). It scared me so bad I couldn't sleep that night, but after that I wanted more. I feel in love the whole horror genre after that.

Also growing up I was a big fan of the old classic horror movies. I use to sit and wait on Saturday for them to come on after the morning cartoons had gone off.

Funny thing was that during high school I hated English. It was the one subject I hated more than anything. It wasn't until about 8 years after high school that I sat down and started writing horror. The stories were in my head and I had to get them out. Ever since then I have been writing horror. My artwork was always horror and fantasy based stuff. Who new the kid that almost failed English would come out as a horror writer. It's funny I guess how things work out.


DD: Do you think that today's books, and even your own can stand up with those books of the past?

JP: I think some of the up and coming writers are very talented. But, now days everyone is having to push the limit so much to keep the crowd drawn in. The kids of today are kind of numb to the old stuff. It doesn't get to them like it got to us. But, I do think yes some of the writers out here can stand up to the old stuff. Will anyone ever be another Stephen King....probably not. He was and is still the master of horror.

DD: What are you currently reading?

JP: Well to tell the truth I am currently reading over scripts for some of the new comics coming up for next year. Making sure the scripts are sound. Also proof reading over my wife's novel Gone Before Midnight that will release next year. I try to read as much as I can but, writing as much as I do, penciling, inking, coloring and publishing as much as I do it is hard to find time for myself just to sit down and read for pleasure anymore.

DD: What can we look forward to from PMC in the future?

JP: Let's see what can you look forward to from Post Mortem over the next few years. Well, we are going to try to have 20 running titles out by next year. Also, we are going to be trying to take two of them over to the silver screen over the next couple of years.

Also we are going to be doing a lot of stuff for Hairball 8 records for the band Grave Robber. Working on the comic series, clothing lines, action figures and eventually a movie based off of the horror band.

DD: If you could sum it all up in a few words what would you say to get people interested in PMC?

JP: Everyone loves a little horror in thier life. Without it life would be boring. Everyone needs to have that one scare, uneasy moment or unpleasent thought that makes their heart skip a beat. That is what we are here for.

DD: Awesome John. Can't wait to see what you have for us to be terrified with in the future.

If you would like to check out any of Post Mortem's titles you can get them through their website , Haven Distribution, Indy Planet, Comic Monkey, Eagle One Media (digital downloads) and Media One (digital downloads). The Graphic Novels will also be available through Amazon.com and at Barnes and Noble stores. The Grave Robber comics and merchandise will be available at Hot Topics nationwide.

Hot Zombie Chicks #1 & #2 - Review

Click here to read the Full Review.

Dying Breath: 3.8 out of 5
While I don’t think that one section, spreads vs. comic style, stood out more I think that both worked very well to achieve two nice books. While I did read both together and it helped me make more sense of them, I think that if you know what you looking at you will get what the creator is after. A nice light tone to show off some very cool artwork. Some of these pages should be made into posters. Just very cool stuff all around.

Secret Image for Issue #28 Revealed

From the Tomb at Chicago Comic Con

Decapitated Dan was at Chicago Comic Con making friends. Here's some pics:

DD and the whole Legion Studios Crew. They hooked me up with more books to review, and some cool swag. I could hang with this bunch anyday.

Barry and Victor 2 of the guys behind Bad Kids Go to Hell, super cool. I interviewed them a little while back and reviewed issue #1. Issue #2 review coming soon.

Brian Defferding of Deftoons Comics wicked awesome guy! Reviews coming soon!!!!

DD and VICTOR CARUNGI of Paper Street Comics (Legend of Red book I reviewed). Awesome guy and great books!

Bad Kids Go to Hell Interview

Hey everyone. I recently had a conversation with Bad Kids From Hell series co-writer, Matt Spradlin. Here's how it went:

DD: Hey Matt thanks for taking time to talk with me about Bad Kids Go to Hell. Would you mind sharing with us what the series is all about?

MS: It's really about greed. And retribution. And the sins of the father. And it all plays out in the library of a private school in an affluent mid western suburb with 5 spoiled young kids who think there are no consequences to being just like Mommy and Daddy. Imagine Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and a few douche bags from 'The Hills' all being locked up in detention for 8 hours.. when suddenly, the Reaper comes a callin' !

DD: How did the idea for Bad Kids Go to Hell come about?

MS: Barry and I were coming out of a movie in Beverly Hills when we caught bits and pieces of a conversation between a group of high school kids. They sounded like a group of jaded 40 yr olds who had gone through rehab and divorce. They were just over it.

Barry and I started trading stories about our respective high schools and basically came to the conclusion that Daniel Waters' film 'Heathers' and all the John Hughes movies would be rolling over in their film vaults if they could hear what kids were like today... So we agreed: An update on the 80's teen horror comedy was needed.

DD: The book is kinda a take on The Breakfast Club. Were you big fans?

MS: Absolutely, John Hughes really had his finger on the pulse on the disenfranchised youth of the 80s , just as the real cynicism was setting in... and then Daniel Waters' came along and nailed the coffin shut. In my opinion those films STILL hit closer to the mark than most "high school is hell" films today, which in itself, is a reflection of kids today... meaning more films bump along the surface, cause, from what I can observe, more kids are into creating a superficial lifestyle.

DD: What kinds of things can we expect from this series?

MS: Blood, of course! But also, we wanted to make sure to keep touching on the characters insecurities briefly as we go fifth gear into the mystery, horror, and comedic aspects of the story.

I personally love physical comedy, so we decided to keep putting the character 'Matt' through the wringer with some outrageous situations. Hopefully, people dig on those flashbacks.

DD: So how did you all come together to create this book?

MS: Barry and I wrote the script and then I set out to find the artist. Tony Vargas was just the perfect match. His style is what I call "realistically unrealistic". He draws characters just real enough to let the serious moments play out, but is stylized in a way that lets you get away with the sillier stuff.

DD: Was Antarctic Press quick to jump on board with the title? Personally I haven't seen a lot of horror titles coming from them in the past.

MS: Yep. I pitched the idea at Lee Duhig and he said, "Let's do this." We stayed out of each others way, which was ideal for both of us. After I found the artist and they approved, things moved very quickly from there.

DD: So what types of books are you into?

MS: While I don't really read near as many comics as I use to.. I dig the grittier 'non-fiction' stuff like Brian Michael Bendis' 'Torso', I also loved Straczynski's 'Rising Stars'.. and Dave Sims' 'Cerebus' will always have a place on my heart. I started reading that series when I was in middle school and it was cool to watch it come to an end with issue 300 (like he always said it would). That comic truly was a labor of love and the work of a great artist.

DD: Were you into any horror titles growing up that lead you to want to create a book like this?

MS: Old school all the way for me - magazines like CREEPY and EERIE. And then of course, Vault of Horror. Also, DC Comics put out this large sized comic book that I still have stashed away which had some really scary 'Creepshow' style stories that were awesome.

DD: Do you have any other books in the works?

MS: Yes. We have a couple of 'one-offs' (48 pages) that we plan to do.. It will be some fun stuff, but not horror.

DD: How does it make you feel finding out that issue #1 has sold out?

MS: That's just fantastic...it absolutely exceeds all my expectations, who woulda thunk it?

DD: Where can readers find out more about this book?

MS: We have a facebook group that is like a mini-mafia right now, but we're thinking of expanding our ranks a little... and you can follow us on that frikkin' twitter. (http://twitter.com/BadKidsGoToHell)

DD: Any last words on the book or to possible readers out there?

MS: Yes, please spread the word! And pester your local comic store to order the next issues. And make some serious racket about Tony Vargas. The guy worked his ass off and this is his very first full series. He's gonna be a hot shot and you can say. 'I've got the first series that dude did!"

DD: Thanks so much for your time Matt.

MS: Thank you, Dan. We appreciate the press.

Interview with Editor Peter Normaton

Dan: Hi Peter thanks for taking some time to talk about From the Tomb Magazine. Would you mind sharing what From the Tomb Magazine is all about for those who might not know about it?

Peter: Yes of course. From the Tomb is a celebration of the last seventy years of horror, crime and science fiction comics. We look at the great artists, writers and publishers who have crafted these comics for so many years and occasionally reprint some of the old stories. I want to keep the memory of these comics alive; some of them from the fifties are now very rare and probably won't ever be seen by many collectors.

Dan: What was it that made you want to create such a magazine?

Peter: I just love magazines and books crammed with great artwork. I created my first comic while on summer holidays when I was only seven or eight years old. When I was in my teens I put together my own hand written and drawn comic fanzines, mainly about Marvel Comics related characters, although I did one called Dare which was a horror based 'zine. I discovered the fan press when I was fifteen at the very beginning of 1977, this had an enormous impact, particularly Alan Austin's Comics Unlimited published over here in the UK. I never aspired to becoming a professional because I knew I wasn't in that league, but I dreamed of having my own comic fanzine. The idea for From the Tomb came many years later some time around 1991 when I was picking up EC related fan publications and had acquired Mike Bensons book Horror Comics and Ernie Gerber's beautiful Photo-Journals Volumes 1 & 2. At first it was to be an EC zine but as time went on and I explored other publishers from the 1950s it evolved to become a pre-Code zine. It was while I was writing a piece on Skywald for Calum MacIver's H. P. Lovecraft tribute Strange Aeons six months before the debut of From the Tomb I realised my roots lay in the horror comics of the 1970s.

Dan: How have things been going so far in the 9 years you have been doing the magazine?

Peter: It's been a very exciting nine years where I have achieved more than I ever dreamed. Back in the early days I printed every issue myself on an A3 Hewlett Packard, I loved putting each issue together but the printing was a nightmare. Once we moved to professional printing with #9, thanks to the intervention of John Anderson of Soaring Penguin, things just got better and better. With this issue came distribution with Diamond which opened so many doors including contributions to several books and the chance to edit The Mammoth Book of Horror ComIcs. Sales have remained steady throughout this seven year period and the magazine has built up a quite dedicated following. One of the many wonderful things about running From the Tomb is getting home from another bad day at work and finding mail from all over the world waiting for me in the hall or the on the PC. This year started in the worst way possible with Diamond's cancellation of From the Tomb. I was very down but since then I have come to realise just how many people value my efforts. The support I have received has been unbelievable. Now, I want to make it work for those fellows.

Dan: Do you feel the magazine is geared more towards the History of Horror Comics or would you say there a good mix of past and present?

Peter: The majority of the magazine is dedicated to older comics from the 1950s through to the 1970s, although comics from the 1980s and 1990s have now earned their place in comic book history. As time has gone on we have included a lot more coverage of modern horror comics, especially those published by smaller independent companies.

Dan: What artists, writers and creators have you worked with during the magazines run so far and who do you have coming up or want to work with in the future?

Peter: I have been very lucky in my time with From the Tomb to have worked with some of the greats in comic books. Al Feldstein has been a big supporter of the magazine. I was stunned when he contributed a cover to issue #4. This was something of a sensation over here in the UK with sales and interest seeing an almost immediate increase. Al has contributed an interview along with two other covers each of which have attracted more interest. Issue #11 is now on the way to selling out its entire thousand print run. Jamie Delano contributed an interview courtesy of Paul Birch, Pete Von Sholly who has worked for Last Gasp and Dark Horse as well as story boarding countless films including Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile has contributed three covers plus three strips, the Gravesweller cover on #19 was another one that brought in many new readers. Disney's Eric Pigors has also produced three incredible covers along with an interview. He always amazes me in that he will take time away from paying work to produce these incredible paintings, he was instrumental in getting me the interview with Eric Powell of The Goon infamy. The interview with Joe Sinnott is probably one of the finest to be seen in the magazine, Joe and his family did everything they could to make this very special. Way back in issue #12 Alan Hewetson helped out, he wrote probably his last article on comics, The Human Gargoyles were due to return. He also arranged for Maelo Cintron to do the cover which led to Maelo doing an interview for #21. UK publishers and editors Alan Class and Dez Skinn have also contributed interviews along with P Craig Russell, B.K. Taylor, Tim Boxell, Gary Reed, Jerry Grandenetti, Barbara Vampirella Leigh and surrealists Terrance Lindall and Sean Madden. Ronn Sutton will be making a welcome appearance in #27 and hopefully The Gurch and Steve Bissette in #28 with Shane Oakley scheduled for #29 and more Al Feldstein to follow. I'd love to see Dave Hitchcock, Mike Ploog, Richard Corben, Michael Kaluta and Bernie Wrightson in these pages but they are all very busy people.

Dan: So lets go off topic, what horror/monster comics are you reading right now?

Peter: I never miss an issue of Hellblazer, Boom Studios Zombie Tales and their Lovecraft related comics. I am also enjoying DDP'S The Zombies that Ate the World and anything by Steve Niles. Arial Press's Harker also look very interesting. I was a big fan of Nightmares and Fairy tales before it came to an end. The sad thing at the moment is quite a few good horror comics have appeared over the last few years but precious few make it over three issues.

Dan: Do you feel that today's horror books can stand up against those of the past?

Peter: They have a tough act to follow. I can't see anything ever matching EC, but creators like Steve Bissette, Steve Niles, Shane Oakley and Dave Hitchcock will have future commentators talking about 21st century horror comics and Alan Moore's From Hell will always be there.

Dan: Where do you see From the Tomb Magazine going in the future?

Peter: It's been a tough year so I am having to take it one issue at a time but I want to include more pre-Code reprints and champion the work of smaller publishers. There's so much talent out there that needs to get recognised. Of course the emphasis will remain on the older comics, that's how From the Tomb has acquired its reputation. I am hoping to enlist the support of Steve Bissett, The Gurch, Shane Oakley and Steve Niles in future issues, but they are all busy people. The 68 page format with 36 in colour shouldn't change, it wouldn't be the same without the colour. I would be sure to keep regular contributors Frank Motler and Barry Forshaw, I couldn't do it without them. If we could keep things stable the aim would be to move to a quarterly schedule but there's a lot of work to be done before that can happen..

Dan: If you could sum up a one sentence sales pitch for the magazine what would it be?

Peter: It's the only magazine of its kind celebrating the good, the bad and the ugly of comic book terror.

Dan: Thanks Peter for taking some time to talk with me today about the magazine.

From the Tomb now offers issue previews using Myebook!

Want to know what an issue looks like before you buy it? We are in the process of setting up previews in our store using Myebook! Just click on the cover links and you can check out an issue before you buy it. Please be patient as we try to get them all up

myebook.com/fromthetomb

Follow From the Tomb is now on ComicSpace!

Are you on comicspace.com? Make us your friend on there and help get the word out on the magazine!

comicspace.com/fromthetomb

Follow From the Tomb on Twitter!

Do you want to be notified when we have breaking news on the magazine? How about when we post new reviews? Well now you can! All you have to do is follow us on Twitter and you can be notified every time we have something new to share with you, the fans. So just click the link below and signup!

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From the Tomb Store is Now OPEN!

We have just opened the From the Tomb store! You can now go and get a yearly subscription (3 issues) and even grab those hard to find back issues. Shipping is included in all of the prices. So come on by and grab what you have been looking for. We accept Paypal payments. So stop on in. Just follow the links on the page or simply go to http://www.fromthetombstore.co.nr

A Note from Peter Normanton

For the last nine years the amateur UK based From the Tomb has been terrorising the world of comic books with a variety of interviews and articles plus comic art spanning the last seventy years of comic book terror. Interviews have come from Al Feldstein, Dez Skinn, Joe Sinnott, Eric Powell, Gary Reed, P Craig Russell, and Jamie Delano. A macabre selection of covers have been supplied by Al Feldstein, Eric Pigors, Pete von Sholly, Flint Hasbudak, Peter Szmer and James Fetcher with articles digging up graveyards, repelling Martian invaders and covering virtually every horror comics publisher. If you are a fan of the zombie genre you might want to pick up FTT #25 with eighty pages of putrescent madness.

Earlier this year From the Tomb was dropped by Diamond from its regular schedule. This meant if you were living outside the UK it would no longer be found at your local comic shop. All seemed lost until an anonymous benefactor stepped in to pay the print bill on #27. This has given From the Tomb a second lease of life and the chance to continue on a subscription basis. For the foreseeable future extensive distribution seems a remote prospect, but we have a chance of once again crawling from the grave.

An amazing amount of support has already come in making its future a far brighter prospect.

Issue #28 is already under preparation.

Steve Niles has dared to step into the Tomb to give an interview, and "The Gurch" of Gore Shriek fame has returned with a diabolical cover.

Back from the dead

Following From the Tomb's recent cancellation, an anonymous benefactor has stepped in to pay for the print costs on issue No. 27. This has given it a second chance at life and the opportunity to offer its grisly content on a subscription only basis.

If you live in the UK the chances are you will be able to pick it up in the places you have already been finding it. Outside the UK, however, it will only be available by subscription as Diamond distribution will no longer be carrying it.

Issue No. 27 will be limited to 500 copies. This issue includes pre-Code Grave Robbing, a full-colour Alex Nino, Hep-Cats, Journey into Mystery, and interview with Ronn Sutton, the Dell Horror Heroes, EC, and Grave Tales.

For more information, subscription and back issue availability, please contact Peter.Normanton@btinternet.com