Tag: Nailbiter

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Paper Cuts: 1/30/17

 

Richard Corben’s Shadows on the Grave #2 (Dark Horse)

This book still stands out with beautiful black and white, classic horror style art.

The first issue’s strength were the chapters coming before the main overarching tale. This issue’s strength came from the ongoing and absolutely terrifying and brutal art of the Cyclops monster.

This book is for any fan of classic horror art or films like Jason and the Argonauts.

Ratings: 3 out of 5

 

Norman: The First Slash #2 (Titan)

Norman is a series imported from Europe about an 8-year-old serial killer.  It is a blend of Dexter and Invader Zim.  The premise and art lends itself to be something you would see on an Adult Swim line up.

Overall, the book is a lot of fun with bright colors that really keep the book light-hearted and humorous despite the subject matter.

The only critique is that before learning this book was translated, the dialogue felt off and I believe that is because the first language was not English, but it was still very enjoyable overall.

If you never read any of the European Editions of this series, you can hop on with issue #1 of The First Slash and be fine.

Ratings: 3 out of 5

Die Kitty Die #4 (Chapter House)

The arc finished and I still cannot say enough good things about this series.

It was my favorite mini-series of 2016.  While issue #4 was a little less tongue-in-cheek and a little more adult, it still was extremely enjoyable.  The pinups and fake ads in this issue make this a must pick up for any comic art enthusiast.

I am looking forward to the next installment: Die, Kitty, Die: Hollywood or Bust, arriving in May 2017. Make sure to pre-order!

Ratings: 4 out 5

White #2 (1First Comics / Devil’s Due)

One of the strengths of this book may actually be the digital format.  The storyboard format helps build the suspense of what lurks in the water below.

On top of the sharks circling below our main character, there is another mystery happening which compels you to keep reading and wondering what is happening.

Sharks and comics are hard, but this series is really nailing it.

Ratings: 4.5 out of 5

Quick Cuts:

Hook Jaw #1 (Titan) was released, and, after reading White, it fell just a little flat.  It felt more like a Jaws: The Revenge or Deep Blue Sea.  Enjoyable, but missing some suspense.

Nailbiter #28 from Image Comics came out last week. It was another fantastic issue. The series is wrapping up with issue #30 and if you have not jumped on at this point, now is not the time to do it.  Check out the first trade for $10 on Amazon or at your local comic shop.  Be on the lookout while we try and celebrate the series once it has concluded!

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Paper Cuts: 11/4/16

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Hellchild: The Unholy #1 (Zenescope)

This book was simply perplexing.

Zenescope has not been known for its stellar art, but when you first open this book, there was some truly great art.  It had me wondering, “who is this?”  The credits list Renzo Rodriguez as the artist, but the art and lettering is so wildly different from segment to segment that it feels like it had to be a collection of artists.  Assuming Renzo drew the first 4-5 pages, they were incredibly well done.  It went from a book that I felt like I had to read to a book I wanted to read.

However, the book then stops all momentum and gives you a full page of written backstory which is almost never a good story telling device; it usually spells doom for films that do not trust the story they have.

The art after that then appears to have been drawn by a completely different artist.  It is extremely jarring.  The easiest way to take me out of a book is poor lettering, and that’s exactly what happened here.  If that was not already challenging, the book seems to change art styles at least one more time.

The actual story that was told in the beginning of the book seemed to be setting up a great supernatural mystery and had me on board.  However, after the text page, we meet the “hero” of the book.  Hellchild is an uninteresting character and the writers feel like they have to justify how badass she is by turning the remainder of the book into one long, gory fight scene.

After all the fighting, the writers spend a couple pages trying to make Hellchild a brooding loner, but instead the writing is just amateur to put it as nice as possible.

The art in the beginning will force me to pay attention to this series, but if the inconsistencies continue, I will hold out my hopes for Renzo Rodriguez to see what he will do next.

Ratings: 2.5 out of 5

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Nailbiter #26 (Image)

26 Issues in and there has not been a single dull moment in this entire run.

If you need more Hannibal Lecter in your life, this book is a must read.

The payoff in this issue is huge if you have been reading the series from the beginning.  While you could jump in with this issue, the reveal in the book is much more satisfying after spending time with these characters.

I know it is only November 2nd, but after a month of Halloween inspired tales, this tale of murder during the Christmas season seemed refreshing.

Ratings: 4 out of 5

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Eclipse #3 (Image)

If you enjoyed the type of horror in John Carpenter’s The Thing, then you should be reading this wonderful series.

This series is the perfect dystopian future/murder mystery.

The art continues to amaze as it is so bright yet continues to be so bleak.

My only criticism is that the story telling felt very quick and would not have minded to have it breathe a little bit more.

Ratings: 4 out of 5

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Paper Cuts: 8/10/16

With my week off from the column last week, I was able to pick up Nailbiter Volume One: There Will Be Blood by Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson.

I jumped into the series with issue #23 and it was by far one of the best single issues of a comic I had read all year, inside and outside of the horror genre.

Last week also saw the release of issue #24.  Before a thought crossed my mind, I went ahead and devoured the issue.  That’s how excited I was.

It is not odd to enjoy an issue of the comic, but if you saw a horror movie and the first thing you saw was the big reveal of the killer, would the movie still be as good as it would have been if you had come from the beginning? The big twist is one of the staples of the horror genre and can make or break a horror film, but what about a horror comic?

I knew where the story was going, but did it take away from my enjoyment of issue #24?  Absolutely not.  It was a superb issue.

The art was stunning.  Adam Guzowski on colors did a wonderful job taking the reader from flashback to present day with his color palates.  It is also an incredibly hard job to make a room full of blood not look oversaturated, but there is two-page spread that is stunning.

Mike Henderson continues to walk the perfect line of cartooning and realism.  Issue 24 contained a high amount of gore which would have looked out of place if the style had been too realistic.  However, the look and feel of the characters still help keep the reader grounded and the stakes seem real.

Joshua Williamson should also be commended, not just for great dialogue and excellent storytelling.  You can tell he really trusts his art team because there is plenty of dialogue, but also lets the art do an equal amount of heavy lifting in terms of the story.  There were plenty of comics on the shelves the past two weeks that covered over half the art panels, and I am happy to say that this book was one of the furthest things from that.

If you picked up issue 23 or 24 on my recommendation, go back and start reading the beginning as well.  You will not be disappointed.  It was a fantastic and quick world build while introducing us to the story’s characters.

Ratings:

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Nailbiter #24: Ratings: 4 out of 5

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Nailbiter Vol. 1: There Will Be Blood: Ratings 5 out of 5

When not writing about horror comics, Ryan enjoys long walks on shark infested beaches or at least watching them on the screen.  If you like what you read, tweet out the link to the column and use the #comicpapercuts.  If you want to read more, follow Ryan and look his other comic columns and interviews over at Two Headed Nerd.

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Paper Cuts: 7/12/16

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Nailbiter #24 (Image)

Have you ever turned a movie on TV and realized that the it’s coming to the climax and you become immediately invested?

Never having read a single issue of Nailbiter, I decided to take a stab at issue 24 this week.  (Forgive the bad jokes, I will try to limit them, but make no promises)

The issue picks up with two frantic cops who are trying to stop something from happening, but can see the ball is rolling and are desperately trying to catch up.  Throughout the issue we are introduced to most of the major players and what is happening with each of them.  There is no heavy dialogue bogging down the flow of the issue, which is an accomplishment since the “killer” speaks to his motivations (for most, this would be a slog).  The stakes are high after a single issue, and I immediately became invested in the entire cast .  Williamson is telling a great story here.

The art is perfect.  Henderson did not draw anything unexpected, but the storytelling was cohesive and strong throughout the entire book.  A ton of credit has to go to Adam Guzowski.  Watching him transport his readers from place to place with color choices and not feel disjointed is to watch someone working his craft at the highest level.

Even if you never read Nailbiter, pick this issue up.  Or at least go pick up the first trade.

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Ghoul Scouts #2 (Action Lab)

Have you ever wanted to share in the watching experience of The Walking Dead with the whole family?   Afterlife with Archie still a bit too graphic?  Confused about who Scooby Doo: Apocalypse is really for?

This comic may be for you.

The premise is simple, a group of young scouts are suddenly faced with their town being overrun by zombies.  They must make their way from the woods back into town and try to find some help.  Steve Bryant does a great job with the dialogue: he gives us small glimpses into the characters, while letting the art be an equal part of the story.

The art by Mark Stegabaur – with colors from Jason Millet – are clean and cartoon-inspired.  Stegabaur certainly carried his share of the storytelling for the issue, but towards the end of the issue came across as unpolished and unfinished.

Overall, this is a simple and fun book.  Whether you were a fan of Goosebumps growing up or your child enjoyed the recent movie, this is a book for everyone.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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Baltimore: Empty Graves #4 (Darkhorse)

I have read Baltimore collections sparingly over the past couple of years and always enjoyed them.  Baltimore always scratched a Mignola-verse itch without the need to keep up with the rest of universe.  Where I had no trouble jumping in my other books this week, this one left me completely lost and not much to hold onto.

The art had its moments.  The first few pages gave me exactly what I was looking for, but shortly thereafter started to stumble.  This is by no means a bad looking book, but the line work seemed to change after the first few pages and too many color pallet jumps left me uninspired.

This book is not for everyone, but perhaps it will resonate more for fans of the work that has come before.

Rating: 2 out of 5