Horror Comics Roundup: May 2015

Herbert West has died…twice. Somehow, he was resurrected, and now funds his bizarre experiments by harnessing the psychedelic powers of the human pineal gland. Reanimator has returned to full force in comic book form, and even the slumbering Elder Gods approve. Dynamite brings Keith Davidsen (Poison Elves) and Randy Valiente (Headlocked, Vampirella Bites) together for this four part miniseries. This isn’t Dynamite’s first excursion with the deranged doctor, but this time West is front and center, and more determined than ever to perfect his reanimation formula. Dr. West has a sassy new assistant, and there’s trouble lurking with his drug distributors. Lovecraftian Cthulhu horror and New Orleans voodoo ramp up the creep factor fast. The story moves along briskly while the art explodes with action, making this a title you’ll not want to miss.

Emmy’s growing up fast, and now she knows the ghosts, ghouls, and witches in her community are all too real. Somehow, Emmy has a connection to these creatures, and when the townspeople find out her secret, she’s on a run for her life. Dark Horse Comics are no strangers to horror, and Harrow County looks to be one of the strongest debuts we’ve seen from them this year. Writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills Deadpool, The Sixth Gun) and artist Tyler Crook (The Sixth Gun, B.P.R.D.: Hell On Earth) bring this new series to life with a story that crackles with excitement and artwork that is stunning and fitting for the story. Something weird is going on in the county, and the townspeople are very wary about anything strange, willing to do anything to protect their town. This is one creator-owned series that needs to make it into your collection as soon as possible.

Speaking of Cullen Bunn, his six-part series with Vertigo, Wolf Moon, comes to a bloody end this month. It was so refreshing to see such a well-done werewolf comic, the likes of which we haven’t seen for years. Werewolves have lately been negated to the redheaded stepchild position among groups of monsters, playing the heavy enforcer type without a face, and unfortunately, without a personality. If you haven’t checked out Wolf Moon yet, then you must head down to your local comic book store and find those issues, or check them out digitally. This is, hands down, one of the best series we’ve seen, and you don’t want to miss out. The concept, story, characters, artwork, really everything about this series, is top notch, and will be collected as a trade paperback, available October 27, 2015.

Finishing out this month, Jasper Bark, Mick Trimble (artist) and Aljosa Tomic’ (colourist) present Bloodfellas, a creator owned graphic novel that is epic in both scope and design. The Undead Mafioso, bagmen, wise guys. Toss in some angels, a mad scientist and two love-struck zombies, all headed towards a head-on collision at the crossroads of heaven and hell, and you’ve got yourself one helluva of a story. With overlapping chapters that showcase each point-of-view of the story, the action never lets up. Clocking in at over 100 pages, this is definitely one for your collection. Published by Markosia Enterprises and available at Amazon digital and print.