|
Post by D. Golightly on Oct 30, 2017 23:08:45 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by johncheese on Oct 31, 2017 7:10:28 GMT -5
And here we are on another Halloween night (well not in the Czech Republic since we celebrate Dusicky on the 2nd of November) with six sinister entries in this autumnal release. Formidable as these tales are, they are helpless against the might of the critic (AKA me) and must now except their fate. Will they get a 'Five Skull' Review (sic) or will they be dragged off screaming to the gallows to provide a significantly better show then the one they presented in life. Let's find out.
Bloodrise - Apparently Tony Thornley and Erik Fromme think there will be blood, in their vampiric offering to this Halloween anthology. While I appreciate seeing the story from multiple angles, including that of constantly under-appreciated Abner 'MACH' Jenkins, it did leave a few story-lines feel unfinished. Despite this, the story was well written, and much like 'the Laughing Dead' this issue deals with the adaptations of a universe subjected to living in a world where supernatural terror is the norm. More then anything I hope that the Dynamic Duo responsible for this tale give us an ending, be it at Halloween or not, I know that it would be well received.
Rating - 7.5/10 (Five Skulls!!)
Into the Abyss - The Silver Surfer is one of those characters I have ignored for the longest time, not through dislike as it is with Deadpool (see last month's M2K release) but because he exists outside of my zone of interest. That said Dave Golightly's tale of the Surfer suffering the unwanted advances of Cuthulu was a well written and amusing (but honestly who expected any less) story. The fact that Cuthulu seems to be eating a star in this story makes the Lovecrafian horror even more disturbing then it already was, something I thought impossible, and should be seen as a real achievement by the man behind the pen of this issue.
Rating - 8/10 (Five Skulls!!)
The Laughing Dead - I will straight up admit that I have never watched an episode of 'The Walking Dead' due to nocturnal work commitments away from home. As such I can't comment on whether Tony Thornley's issue is similar to the aforementioned program or not. What I can commend him on is how he took the most frighting aspects of the Joker, and turned it into a monstrous epidemic, something we saw a little of in the canon story Joker's Last Laugh, except here it's been played for absolute horror. Not only did Tony paint a picture of terror, but he also left the story on an annoying cliff hanger, something I should deduct marks for (but won't this one time), in the form of Batman and Freeze finding a fire in an otherwise feral Gotham City.
Rating - 8/10 (Five Skulls!!)
The Old Dark House - While this story was advertised as a 'Hulk' story, and while the Jolly Green Giant does have an integral role in the plot, the real stars of this story as Guardian, Glow and Goblin. In this tale, Travis Hiltz manages to merge classic Hulk imagery with stock horror elements to produce an entertaining story. In particular the wise-cracking Goblin steals the show as a perfect (if a wee bit snarky) foil for Guardian, and in general the relationship between the members of Hulk's kooky quartet is well written and enjoyable to read.
Rating - 8.5/10 (Five Skulls!!)
To Trick or Treat - My rating of a Halloween story, differs to my usual ratings because I look for one additional feature; that chill running down my spine during my initial read. While other stories (the Laughing Dead and Into the Abyss in particular) achieved this, none did it as well as Dan Dolan's 'To Trick or Treat'. Not only did it cover the horror aspect, it also covered the entire mythos behind Jason Maccendale spectacularly well, gripping at his past as Jack O Lantern, Hobgoblin and Demogoblin, and expanding the evolution of the character particularly well. Definitely one of the stand out pieces of this release, and a real testament to the writer's skill and knowledge.
Rating - 9/10 (Five Skulls!!)
Weird War Tales - Perhaps the most unique tale in this double triumvirate of terror, Travis Hiltz spins a tale about three ghosts in war torn France. Part of this tale feels anchored in reality, not just in the use of language used by the characters, but also due to the phenomenon of spirits and ghosts, something that was reported in battles during both the World Wars on both sides of the conflict. Not only has Travis dug up old forgotten characters for this tale, he's written them beautifully into a fascinating story about honour beyond death.
Rating - 9/10 (Five Skulls!!)
|
|
|
Post by D. Golightly on Oct 31, 2017 7:50:21 GMT -5
Thanks for the feedback! I had a lot of fun writing this, and it makes me want to do more with the Silver Surfer.
|
|
|
Post by D. Golightly on Oct 31, 2017 7:55:31 GMT -5
One good turn deserves another, so here's some quick thoughts on John's work in this special release:
DC2K; THE HONEYTRAP - I must be out of the loop, because I wasn't aware that this version of the Killer Moth existed. I always thought it was the anti-Batman in the weird moth costume. I have to say that this version is MUCH better. The story is delightfully creepy and I can see this being expanded on in other tie-in issues. Nice work!
M2K; THE WOODS - John just loves to dive deep into the character stacks, doesn't he? Mike Nero? Sarah Hanningan? I would have added a pic for Sarah, too, but she's so off the radar that I couldn't find one! I think that this story fills a void that M2K badly needs. We see superheroes so often that we forget that there's a dark mystical side to our shared universe, too. I enjoyed seeing these guys in action and hope to see them again!
|
|
|
Post by johncheese on Oct 31, 2017 8:15:54 GMT -5
Cool thanks, Sarah Hannigan is actually a modern day descendent of the WWII villain the Zombie Master AKA Alan Heinman and thus an OC. She's currently in Project Argent, and we'll soon see a little of her backstory. I did consider doing a Nero and Hannigan Mini Series about their three year partnership but never went through with it. Still there's always a chance it'll pop up once the Legion of Doom mini series has been completed...oh who am I kidding it definitely will turn up.
And yes this version of Killer Moth is far more superior to the original version.
|
|
|
Post by D. Golightly on Oct 31, 2017 8:21:52 GMT -5
AH! That makes sense. I found stuff for the original Zombie Master, but thought I just couldn't find anything for Sarah.
|
|
|
Post by brawl2099 on Oct 31, 2017 11:21:22 GMT -5
Thanks John. Looking forward to reading the stories in a bit!
Both of my stories are intended to be followed up on. And they will be. :-D
|
|
|
Post by claypot on Oct 31, 2017 11:59:43 GMT -5
I sorry I didn't get my story done on time, I wanted to do a Wonder Twins Halloween story based on the Adult Swim shorts that were spoofs of their adventures if they screwed it up. This one would have the WT teaching a lesson on Halloween Pranks, but gets weird with a certain Lovecraft monster shows up.
Maybe I'll put this story as a back story in my DC2K title.
As for Marvel, check Wattpad for something I have planned in the near future.
|
|
|
Post by DD Doyle on Oct 31, 2017 12:48:13 GMT -5
OMG Thank you so much John for the feedback. I actually lost power over the last few days lol so I'm only know able to enjoy this release! Let me sink my teeth in 3:) and I'll get some feedback out myself
|
|
|
Post by Tobias Christopher on Oct 31, 2017 15:20:17 GMT -5
Yeah, I apologize for not getting the Superman/Young Justice Halloween story done, which would have had the current incarnations of Robin, Superboy and Impulse having some Halloween fun, but I may try to push that into the Superman annual here in a month or two.
|
|
|
Post by brawl2099 on Oct 31, 2017 15:55:32 GMT -5
DAMMIT JOHN, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME SCARED OF KILLER MOTH!!!!
|
|
|
Post by DD Doyle on Oct 31, 2017 19:22:16 GMT -5
All right I managed to get some downtime and read some of these great stories, I'll start with the Marvel Halloween release: John Cheese’s ‘The Woods’ was wonderfully campy and I like that despite stereotypes this time the horror happened at a FRAT house not a sorority lol. The issue totally subverted the expectations that the title put in my head by have the “woods” come to the heroes rather than the other way around. I also love the coincidence of the mention of Will O’ Wisps considering my own entry, lol, great minds! Makes them feel like maybe there was a mystic connection Travis Hiltz’s “The Old, Dark House” was such a treat (pun intended, lol) it SO reminded me in tone of those old Halloween specials that used to play on TV when I was a kid. At the same time the vibe between our four heroes reminded me of The Goonies or to use a more modern comparison Stranger Things, that wisecracking humor, believable humor, that can be found among a group of friends no matter the horrors they face. Such a great setup at the end as well, I hope it does continue on! Dave Golightly’s “Into the Abyss” was particularly frightening, in a good way, to me lol. I’ve always had a strange toxic fascination with “eldritch horrors”, cosmic abominations, old ones, etc. Our good friend Cthulhu was used here to immense (another pun) and excellent effect. I liked that the problem was solved by just using “ALL OF MY POWER” ala Dragonball Z or some such, Silver Surfer recognized what he could do and what he couldn’t do and worked within that. Perfect. Tony Thornley & Erik Fromme’s “Bloodrise” we saw an alternate (or possible???) future: one where a never-ending war against vampires was the reality. As popular as Marvel Zombies was spawning countless sequels and tie-ins, I’m shocked that no one has done Marvel Vampires before! This was a great little “peak” into what may be… what /could be. I too would like to see some kind of conclusion or at least continuation of this! The sheer potential you’ve touched on alone is amazing, I just wanna follow those three queens around like a thrall! Hopefully I'll get a second wind for the DC release soon!
|
|
|
Post by johncheese on Oct 31, 2017 23:56:59 GMT -5
DAMMIT JOHN, WHY DID YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME SCARED OF KILLER MOTH!!!! Just be glad I didn't go with the first revision of the character, the one burning butterfly wings on his victims chest with an acetylene torch...
|
|
|
Post by DD Doyle on Nov 1, 2017 21:21:00 GMT -5
Okay I finally had time to read the DC batch for Halloween and add my two cents there as well, lol John Cheese's story "Honeytrap" made excellent use of one of my favorite character updates. I adore the original bumbling Killer Moth of course but something about the newer more menacing one is quite effective in a way I wasn't prepared for, lol. I love the slow burn here as his prey gets drawn further in. Maybe Killer Moth should join the Legion of Doom? Tony Thornley's tale "The Laughing Dead" was probably the most outwardly terrifying of the three and the joker's venom becoming a zombie-esque plague? Genius. I loved the the pairing of Batman and Mr. Freeze, I would have only added Harley and Ivy maybe as they are both also immune to Joker Gas. Maybe they were already victims of the Laughing Dead tho? I also appreciate for such a harrowing story that he left us with a bit of hope at the end Finally Travis Hiltz's yarn "Weird War Tales" was beyond amazing. I want you to understand that I don't say "reminded me of Neil Gaiman's writing" lightly as Neil Gaiman is probably my literary idol. I was already thinking that BEFORE the third act arrival of a certain young (or not so young...) lady Uniting the three great WW2 ghosts in a story that makes ghosts the victims of yet another horror, incredible idea done in an incredible and, oddly for a horror story, charming fashion!
|
|
|
Post by travis on Nov 2, 2017 8:36:32 GMT -5
Glad to hear people reacting so positively to my story. I was kind of going for a Mike Mignola vibe, but I think I can live with being compared to Neil Gaiman.
|
|