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Tales from Wonderland: Queen of Hearts (Zenescope - Brusha / Leister / Ruffino)

Wonderland returns in the first of three incredible one-shot issues! When two young twin girls are pulled into another dimension their purity will not be enough to save them. Lost, scared and unable to escape, the girls must find ways to adapt as they eventually realize that being raised by madness itself isn’t all that bad. Hold onto your Heads!  *Also featuring part one of a 3 issue part story that will reveal the true origin and discovery of the place known as wonderland.

I am a big fan of the original Wonderland sereis from Zenescope.  This one shot shows the fans that they are going to continue the dark, yet intelligent tales that will creep into our world from there.  Knowing that the main two characters here are pre-teen girls, this issue will totally creep out readers in that psychological way, but not much in the way of violent action though.  In my opinion a good, smart, scary story with a view images to make you look twice wins the best horror award over mindless blood and gore any day.  Anyone who enjoyed the Return to Wonderland series will want these one-shots.  Daniel Leister continues to show himself as a superb artist that show he is worth his weight and that he can project love, joy, beauty and insanity… and sometimes all in the same splash page

Issue Grade: A

Pullbox warning: due to horror content and visuals… not for the kids!

Shadow Hunter # 2 (Virgin - Jameson / Christina Z / Singh)

Beset by demons, monsters, and the shocking revelations about who she really is, Jezzerie Jaden finds herself trapped between two men who want her, body and soul. But does either of them truly understand the power she will unleash, or the unstoppable force of her wrath? Twists, turns, and be-headings abound in this climactic conclusion to the two-part storyline with stunning artwork by Mukesh Singh. You’ve never seen horror look so beautiful

Interesting book, in that not exactly what I expected way.  I didn’t check out issue #1 when that came out, but I thought… who knows, right?  Well, this was neither awesome nor as bad as I thought it would be.  The writing by Christina Z had great detail and good dialogue, but the over all idea is a pretty re-hashed  one.  A young person finds out one of their parents is a great demon-lord type and they are destined to be at their parent’s side… but they are going to use their magical powers for good.  I caught that plot on a two-parter of Teen Titans Go!  As far as calling this a horror book, I would say it’s a horror-lite.

So, overused plot in the big picture, good details work by the writer and very good art.  Far and away the best thing about this book is the great splash pages put together byMukesh Singh.  I hope to see many more project by him.

Issue Grade: B- (it’s the art!)

Shadowgirls #3 (Rodriguez / Reynolds)

At the tender age of fifteen, Charon McKay disappeared from the small coastal town of Innsmouth. When she turns up, nine month later, she is incoherent and raving; and slightly more surprising…pregnant. No one
knows who the father is and even Charon is unable to remember what happened to her. The only thing people know for sure is that she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Rebecca Sue McKay and that both her and her mother are decidedly strange. In fact, most people stay away from them entirely. But Charon and Becka have more immediate
worries. Strange creatures have appeared in Innsmouth and awaken dark and terrifying powers within the girls. Only the Shadowgirls can stand against this ancient threat…if the power doesn’t consume them first… issue 3 - Charon is in police custody as the case against her continues to build. Becka is alone and helpless against the creatures from the deep and Lindsey must deal with the ramifications of her choices.

While this is a review of the current issue, it’s really a reflection of the series… I just sat down and read #1 thru #3 in the last 24 hours. At very first glance, I thought I knew what this book was about, Goth hotties fighting monsters - sort of a poorman’s version of Buffy. Within the first few pages I knew my stereotypes were wrong. While this series definitely has the goth hottie thing down (fantastic art!), this is wihtout doubt, a story-driven book. Multiple generations of a family haunted by an occult-related secret that has set them apart, isolated and mocked by the mainstream community, Charon and Becca have to figure out who to trust and how to harness their powers to fight off a demonic attack that their family might be the cause of. The plot was crisp and surprising, being a great mesh of suspense / thriller / action, with just the right amount of comedic dialogue. The fast pace of this independent horror was refreshing. As I read, I didn’t feel like I was getting filler at any level… every frame, word and transition was used to help further the story, not just for the ego of the artist or author. While some of the art of this book might fall under the “cheescake” category, it is magnificently done. But on top of that, the action sequences and amount of details to the surroundings and facial expression make this book and this artist worth watching. Kudos to David A. Rodriguez and Dave Reynolds for creating a fun horror adventure that is worth our time and money. You can check out Shadowgirls here!

Pullbox Warning: due to some gore and teen issues, this is a PG-13 book!

Series Grade: A

Issue Grade: A

Awakening #5 (of 10) (Archaia Studios Press - Tapalansky / Eckman-Lawn / Mauer)

Answers satisfy questions but not always those who ask them. The truth about Cline Pharmaceuticals and its hand in the horrific events taking place within Park Falls is revealed, but will the answers clarify the mystery or deepen it? As Derrick and Daniel struggle with this information, Sandra follows another line of thinking by visiting someone she’s not seen in many years…

Awakening still continues to be one of the best thriller / horror books on the market. This month due to some technical issues, issue #4 and #5 come out together. While it might have been a tough wait, the upside is getting to follow the steps of ex-officer Peters’ investigation in quick succession.

One of the many things I want to congratulate the Awakening team on is that there has yet to be an issue that seems “filler”. Even in the best of series, sometimes has lag-points… that has yet to happen in Park Falls. Not only does the overall plot move forward as to where the disease has come from and the characters are dealing with the evolving behaviors of the zombies, but through some flashbacks we start to see the background on Derrick and what has brought him to this place in his life, both emotionally and circumstantially.

Unfortunately for fans, Awakening is going into hiatus until about August, but there is something to keep our appetite wet… the Awakening hardcover, combining issues #1-5, comes out in June!  Watch for it!

Issue Grade: A

Series Grade: A

Fans of last year’s Bump and Valley of the Rage books… rejoice!  They are back!  With a new a look and at a new home.  If you are a horror fanboy or have interest in the genre, you have to check this out… the real deal!

Press release 4/7 -  THE SCREAM FACTORY, an alliance of film, music, literary and comic book professionals, has unleashed a stunning selection of downloadable quality horror titles online, and is delighted to tell readers that they can find the offerings at www.wowio.com at absolutely no charge!!!  All of the titles are available on Wowio through the Smashout Comics publishing group.

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Evil Dead #3 (of 4) (Dark Horse - Bolton / Verheiden)

All Ash wanted was to get some “alone time” with his new girl Linda . . . but an isolated cabin in the woods, harboring ancient secrets and angry demons, ruined any chance Ash had at “getting lucky.” With Linda infected and crazed, Ash and Scotty bury what’s left of Shelly before Scotty heads out into the woods to find help. Well, he certainly finds something out there. Ash has his hands full trying to keep Linda off of him-which would be a good thing, had Linda not been completely possessed by murderous deadite rage! Ash struggles to save his friends and his sanity, as those fallen to the destructive deadites move in for the final kill! Relive the original thrilling Evil Dead experience in the only officially authorized EXPANSION of Sam Raimi’s classic film, featuring gorgeous-and-gory painted interiors by John Bolton (Army of Darkness, Harlequin Valentine) and some of the best new Ash quips ever-as penned by legendary scribe Mark Verheiden!

Once Again Mr. Verheiden comes through with a true-to-canon issue.  If you are a fan of the original Evil Dead movies, there is no doubt that you will be engulfed in this mini-series gives little bit more background and depth to Ash’s weekend tromp.  Even if you aren’t a ED fan, but enjoy a good splatter splash page, no one does this better than John Bolton.  Within the four part series, issue three is almost always the finale set-up, and so it is here.  Ash’s journey doesn’t necessarily move along and further except that he has come to the conclusion that these possessed zombies are no longer his friends and he will need to move beyond that if he is to survive.  Overall a must have for fans!  Pullbox Warning: due to gore / graphic content, this really, really not a kid book.

Issue Grade: B

Series Grade: B+

Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #6 (of 6) (Wildstorm / Dynamite - Katz / Kuhoric / Craig)

Freddy, Jason, and Ash face off for possession of the Necronomicon and a chance to either save the world or send it straight to hell! It all ends here — and only one of the three will walk away from the movie monster fight of the century! Co-published with Dynamite Entertainment.

Not really true, that only one walks away… One walks away feeling superior that he won. But let’s be honest, any fan of Jason or Freddy knows this isn’t the end.

For fans of these properties, we couldn’t have asked for a better series. All three got to show their strengths and whoever was your favorite, you got to cheer for them. Jason was his normal tough undead self, strong to the finish… a spotlight moment for him is when the Necronomicon opens portal to the deadite realm that is sucking everything else up and Jason simply keeps walking, he too strong for the vortex… pretty rocking moment for the boogie man from Crystal Lake. For a small moment in time, Freddy gets his proverbial moment in the sun when he is in command of the Book of the Dead and is able to bend reality to his will, he able to use all of his powers in the real world and all of his cute quips follow… scenes where he is chasing Ash is exactly what fans would want and expect. And the only horror character to have better quips than Jason is my hero, Ash. In one of the final brawl scenes between the three of them, Freddy wonders out loud why Ash just won’t stay down… While running him over with a car Ash growls back, “I’m a 35 year old clock puncher at a department store, my life has been one horror after another… you ain’t seen nothing yet!” I think Bruce Campbell would be proud!

Jeff Katz, James Kuhoric and Rick Burchett do an amazing job of splicing these three beloved characters together, making a great story while staying true to all three. The art by Jason Craig is well-done, and exactly what is called for here. Pullbox Warning: a language and gore factor makes this not a youngin’ pick!

Issue Grade: B

Series Grade: B+

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• Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel’s series-changing story arc “Batman: R.I.P.” starts in Batman #676.  They promise this will be big and lasting.
• You would think after last year’s World War: Hulk run, Marvel might have slowed down the Green Goliath’s publicity machine, nope… not with a major movie coming out this Summer.  Hulk fans have quite a few choices coming in the next few months: Hulk Versus Hercules: When Titans Clash, King-Sized Hulk #1, Giant-Sized Hulk #1.
• For those readers that are more classically minded (sci-fi that is), Bluewater Production continue it’s adaptations of films from the master special effects man himself with Ray Harryhausen Presents Flying Saucers Vs. The Earth
• Speaking of movie tie-ins, Marvel isn’t just pimping the Hulk… Iron Man has quite a few books coming out too: Iron Man: Legacy of Doom, Iron Man: Viva Las Vagas (written by Jon Favreau) and a second monthly Iron Man book, Invincible Iron Man.
• If you have been waiting for more Hong Kong Cavalier action, wait no more! Moonstone is releasing a 2-issue series Buckaroo Bonzai: The Prequel
• The big DC event that is coming up is Final Crisis, along with four mini-series, a Final Crisis Sketch book and it all starts in a 50 cent issue DC Universe: Zero.
• IDW continues their interpretive genius with an adaptation of Mack Bolan’s The Executioner in The Executioner: The Devil’s Tools.
• Boom! Studios is reviving an old game classic from the 80’s and 90’s with Blood Bowl: Killer Contract.  Blood Bowl was the original fantasy football league… with dwarves, elves and ogres.
• Marvel 1985, written by Mark Millar and Tommy Lee Edwards will take a different twist on Secret Wars and what happens when the Marvel Universe and our world collide.
• DC/Wildstorm: DreamWar will see the heroes of the DCU and Wildstorm Universe collide as they try to save both universes in this 6-part series (this is not related to Final Crisis)
• Dynamite brings even more Ash goodness with Army of Darkness / Xena: Why Not?
• Marvel is trying to bring back some of their espionage fans with Captain Britain & MI:13, which is directly to the Secret Invasion.
• DC is bringing forth two new Batman projects.  Batman: Death Mask, an original Batman tale in manga style, prestige format.  And Batman: Gotham After Midnight, a more horroresque Scarecrow story written by the man himself, Steve Niles .
• The soon-to-be-classic dark future horror / sci-fi tale Pogrom is out from Devil’s Due
• The Lost Boys: Reign of Frogs is a 4-issue series from Wildstorm that will be connecting the original Lost Boys movie with the sequel The Lost Boys: The Tribe.
• Mummy fans will get an eyeful with IDW’s The Mummy: The Rise and Fall of Xango’s Ax, this could be the beginning of a whole run of Mummy-related comics from IDW.
• NewUniversal fans will be excited (I am!) that Warren Ellis and Steve Kurth return to write a 6-part limited series NewUniversal: Shockfront
• A less-publicized project coming up from DC is The War that Time Forgot, placing many of DC’s “soldier” characters from many different times together on a dinosaur  riddled “land-o-the-Lost”-ish island by an unseen force.
• Legion Studios will blowing away all the horror fans out there with Wizard exclusive book Fallen Daughters, watch for that at Wizard World Chicago… it should rock!

Awakening #4 (Archaia Studio Press - Tapalanksy / Eckman-Lawn / Maurer)

Answers satisfy questions but not always those who ask them. The truth about Cline Pharmaceuticals and its hand in the horrific events taking place within Park Falls is revealed, but will the answers clarify the mystery or deepen it? As Derrick and Daniel struggle with this information, Sandra follows another line of thinking by visiting someone she’s not seen in many years…

Awakening defines intelligent horror.  This creative team takes your nerves and your brain on a roller coaster ride.  New allies join our protagonist and fallen officer Derrick Peters in his redeeming quest to unravel what is happening around him in the small town of Park Falls.  Nick Tapalansky is nothing less than genius in how he arranges the narrative to uncover just enough to make us want to turn the page, allowing the reader the same point of view as the characters.

But it is just not the story itself that makes Awakening a fantastic horror book, the art by Alex Eckman-Lawn amplifies the overall feeling.  Imagine the setting if you were trying to uncover a zombie mystery in a town perpetually filled with fog and plot-twists… now amp it up to eleven on the “spooky” setting and you have the environment that Alex’s art brings.  In short, this book rocks!  In the independent comic realms right now, there are several really good horror books out there, but Awakening is not one to miss!

Issue Grade: A

Series Grade: A