With two new series debuting, and yet another instalment of an ongoing miniseries, March 2015 was a grand month for horror comics. First on the horizon is Dark Horse’s latest offering from Mike Mignola (Hellboy, B.P.R.D.) with Frankenstein: Underground. Mignola has created one helluva universe with his series, with overlapping characters and historical occult lore galore, and the continuing saga of Frankenstein’s creation fits like a glove. We catch up with the creature on the run. Relentlessly persecuted at every turn, Mignola lovingly captures the sadness, fear, and rage from each human interaction. This iteration of the creature matches up with the original version from the novel quite nicely. Certainly not a simpleton, the creature is blessed with intelligence and grace, though his innocence dooms him to rely on others who may not have his best interests at heart. Ben Stenbeck (Baltimore, Witchfinder) captures the essence of the creature while adding little flourishes of his own. With Mignola and Stenbeck at the helm, this is one series you definitely don’t want to miss.
Second debut to hit is IDW’s miniseries The Fly: Outbreak. Taking off right after the events of The Fly II sequel, we find Martin Brundle continuing his experiments, working for a cure to restore his former employer, Anton Bartok, to human form. Considering the title, we see thing’s aren’t going as planned. The gene has changed, and gone viral. Writer Brandon Seifert (Hellraiser) and phenomenal artist Menton3 (Monocyte, Transfusion) bring this series to life. The artwork is stunning and visceral, with expert use of shadow and fades to create a very sinister environment. Starting with the original classic films, to Cronenberg’s remake and its sequel, there’s always been one aspect of the Fly that’s never been fully explored. Through the horrifying transformations, the creatures amped up nervous system, incredible strength and jumping abilities, and the Fly’s unique method of devouring its food, the films only hint at flight. This series taps into flight almost immediately, and at last we see the Fly fully realised, unbound and relentless. We still need to be afraid, very afraid. Available in print and digital, this miniseries is a keeper.
Finally, we find the fourth instalment of Vertigo’s Wolf Moon setting up the endgame. Werewolves in comics are sorely underrepresented, so leave it to Vertigo to step up to the plate with a real winner of a series. Writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe, The Sixth Gun), artist Jeremy Haun (Berserker), and colorist Lee Loughridge (The House on the Borderland) bring this new twist on an old monster to life. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this series, thinking you’ve seen it all when it comes to werewolves, this little twist on the genre will make you think twice before you say it has all been done before. The action is fast-paced and violent, certainly some of the bloodiest artwork we’ve seen in a while. The twist of the plot falls in perfectly with the character dynamics that push the story forward, unpredictable yet logical. Werewolves are back, more dangerous than ever before, and we couldn’t be happier.
We’ll follow up with the next instalments of these soon to be classic series soon, and check out some new comics on the horizon as well.
BOB PASTORELLA
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