COMICS READING FOR SEPTEMBER: “The horror...the horror...”

I read a lot of horror comics in September.

 

* NOW WITH STAR RATINGS (ala Wrestling Observer Newsletter PPV reports) *

 

HOW I RATE THE COMICS VIA THE ALAN MOORE SCALE

*****     Watchmen, Miracleman, V For Vendetta

****      From Hell, Supreme, Swamp Thing, Fashion Beast, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen (first two series)

***        Axel Pressbutton, Tom Strong

**         Promethea

*           LoEG: Century: 1969

DUD (or lower) any of his non-comics stuff

 

1.-5. The Sixth Gun Book 2: Crossroads (Oni Press, 2011) ****

- originally published in The Sixth Gun #7-11 (Oni Press, 2011)

Writer: Cullen Bunn /Artist: Brian Hurtt

6.-11. The Sixth Gun Book 3: Bound (Oni Press, 2012) ****

- originally published in The Sixth Gun #12-17 (Oni Press, 2012)

Writer: Cullen Bunn /Artist: Brian Hurtt, Tyler Crook (#14)

12.-17. The Sixth Gun Book 4: A Town Called Penance (Oni Press, 2012) ****

- originally published in The Sixth Gun #18-23 (Oni Press, 2012)

Writer: Cullen Bunn /Artist: Brian Hurtt, Tyler Crook (#23)

18.-23. The Sixth Gun Book 5: Winter Wolves (Oni Press, 2013) ***¾

- originally published in The Sixth Gun #24-29 (Oni Press, 2013)

Writer: Cullen Bunn /Artist: Brian Hurtt

24. Vampire Vixens of the Wehrmacht: If You Want Blood (Bump And Grind Comics, 2013) ***½

Writers: The Emperor & Alex Ronald/Artist: Alex Ronald

Hyper-realistic art,WW2 vampire-and-occult-filled action, sexy babes and castration. What more can a man want? Check it out at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Vampire-Vixens-of-the-Wehrmacht/179230265443902.

25.-30. Locke & Key Vol. 2: Head Games (IDW, 2010) ****¾

- originally published in Locke & Key: Head Games #1-6 (IDW, 2009)

Writer: Joe Hill/Artist Gabriel Rodriguez

31.-36. Locke & Key Vol. 3: Crown Of Shadows (IDW, 2011) ****¾

- originally published in Locke & Key: Crown Of Shadows #1-6 (IDW, 2009-10)

Writer: Joe Hill/Artist Gabriel Rodriguez

37.-42. Locke & Key Vol. 4: Keys To The Kingdom (IDW, 2012) *****

- originally published in Locke & Key: Keys To The Kingdom #1-6 (IDW, 2010-11)

Writer: Joe Hill/Artist Gabriel Rodriguez

43.-48. Locke & Key Vol. 4: Clockworks (IDW, 2013) *****

- originally published in Locke & Key: Clockworks #1-6 (IDW, 2013)

Writer: Joe Hill/Artist Gabriel Rodriguez

49. Courtney Crumrin Tales: The League Of Ordinary Gentlemen (Oni Press, 2011) ***½

Writer/artist: Ted Naifeh

50.-79. The Exterminators #1-30 (Vertigo, 2006-08) ** (****½ for first 12 issues, *½ for final 18 issues)

Writer: Simon Oliver/Artists: Tony Moore + friends

I was going to do a podcast on why this was “the best comic you never read” – the story of an ex-crim finding redemption as a pest exterminator in the inner city while fighting intelligent cockroaches and evil South American bug cults intent on ruling the world. Extremely black, funny and with great art by Tony Moore. That was until I hit the second half of the series, which left a bitter taste in my mouth. I’ve read that Oliver’s story was meant to run for 50+ issues, but poor sales led to its premature demise. It’s pretty obvious – Moore drops in and out of the comic (issues with him doing the art are significantly better than non-Moore issues), subplots are dropped without warning, major characters are written out or quickly killed or simply forgotten about. There are plot holes and minor glitches in the artwork (and writing) that gives me the feeling that the last 10 issues were rushed and were originally meant to play out over a 30-issue spread. And the ending comes too soon. It’s extremely unsatisfying.