Horror Comics Roundup: July 2015

Alan Moore: One of the most influential comic book writers of any generation. Writer of Watchmen, Batman: The Killing Joke, The Saga of Swamp Thing, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell, and many, many more epic comic series and graphic novels. The creator of John Constantine, that Hellblazing cat conjuring dirty deeds done dirt cheap, spawning a slew of often imitated but never duplicated copycats diddling in the occult. Moore often takes a well-known character and drafts a new perspective that transcends the original works, reestablishing canon, gaining legions of fans in the process. No stranger to the world of HP Lovecraft, when Moore announced that his new series would be the Watchmen of Weird Fiction, the world waited with bated breath, knowing there was only one creator capable of pulling off such an ambitious feat.

Providence is that project, and it has arrived.

Issues 1 and 2 are out, and from these early indications, Moore is taking his time with the story, building up his main character, Robert Black, and constructing a world in the midst of change while weaving a weird fiction mythos into the narrative. Of course, Moore is not just content with reworking Lovecraft’s tales, but is instead incorporating Lovecraft’s influences as well, including Robert W. Chambers and Edgar Allen Poe. Serving as both a prequel and sequel to his hit series Neonomicon, Providence is Moore’s love-letter to weird fiction as well as a social commentary reflecting our time in the world as we know it now. The artwork by Jacen Burrows (Neonomicon) is spectacular and fits perfectly with the narrative. Moore also includes prose journal extracts and texts from pamphlets concerning the occult at the end of the issues. If you’re looking for a new series that has epic potential, Providence is that series.

Two new series definitely worth checking out are Wytches and The October Faction. Scott Snyder (Batman Eternal) teams up with Jock for Wytches, the story of a teenage girl marked by a witch. The real witches are out there, and they are far more deadly than ever imagined. Sailor Rook is new in town, and the events of her recent past threaten to spill over into her new life. Of course, things are not as they seem, and now Sailor’s family are out in the woods, searching for their daughter.

The October Faction by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and Damien Worm is one of the most gorgeous horror series produced right now. A personal vendetta calls a retired monster hunter back into action, and now his children want in on the gig as well. The story is fast paced and Worm’s art is absolutely stunning with skillful use of color and tint that must be seen to be appreciated. Do yourself a favor and check out Wytches and The October Faction, digital or print, as soon as possible. You will not regret it.

Wolf hits the stands at the end of July, and from the early previews, this new series has massive potential. From ComicMonsters.com: “The crime noir thrills and characters reminiscent of True Detective meet with mythical stakes worthy of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman in this original fantasy/horror/crime saga for mature readers.” Forced to take care of an orphaned teenaged girl, Occult Detective Antoine Wolf gets a little more than he bargained for. Looks like the apocalypse is now rather than later, so things are about to get really crazy. Now if that doesn’t pique your interest, there’s a possibility you don’t have a pulse. Written by Ales Kot with art by Matt Taylor, the first issue boasts a 50 plus page count and no ads. Expect a full review of this exciting new series next month. Until then, hit your local comic book store for some hard hitting scary ink that goes bump in the night.