Comic Review: Twisted Dark
There are some comic covers that immediately grab you and insist you read the comic within, and there are others that lay their souls bare. It's rare though that those two talents meet, but Twisted Dark is a delightfully perverse creature. Neil Gibson's self-published volumes have met with high critical acclaim since their release last year, and with the third volume soon to hit the shelves, it's a fine time to crack the spines.
As a fan of short stories and horror, and an aficionado of sting-in-the-tail stories such as the Pan Book of Horror Stories, I set the bar high when it comes to being enjoyably creeped out. The opening to Volume 2 mentions that initial feedback of the first book was that it was too twisted, which had me cautiously optimistic, and as it turns out, both volumes are a horrible delight.
Hit the jump for my full spoiler-free review!
Comic Review: April/May Round-Up
As I emerged from a gruelling diet of deadlines, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bumper crop of excellent graphic novels and trade collections coming out in the past few weeks and the upcoming month. In fact, 2012 as a whole is shaping up to be rather spectacular as DC and co pull out all the stops while the indie market continues to grow at a steady pace.
Here then are some of the highlights that have crossed my path, including a daringly recoloured Flex Mentallo, some inspiring débuts, the latest from two of the most prominent women creators in the industry, and rising talent in the small press. As ever, all reviews are spoiler free!
Hit the jump for the mini-reviews.
Comic Review: Into The Woods
With two Snow White films out this year alongside Brave, not to mention Jack with his beanstalk and Hansel and Gretel hitting screens in 2012, fairy tales are big business once again. Ahead of the curve then comes Into the Woods, a fairytale anthology, released back in February. Nine individual stories play on the fairytale theme in stunning black and white, and for the very tempting £5 price tag.
Anthology comics are a particular favourite of mine, from the flowing narrative of Nelson to the clashing styles of Team Girl Comic, and Into The Woods was a book I'd been hearing a lot of buzz about - not least due to the stellar line-up of small press writers and artists on board. My own affection for horror and twisted tales further piqued my interest, as fairytales are perhaps the ultimate source of grisly ends.
Happily, my high expectations were met, and Into The Woods serves as a great platform for some of the up and coming talent in the UK comics industry today. Hit the jump for my full spoiler-free review!
Comic Review: Neonomicon by Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows
The trade collection of Alan Moore's Neonomicon is out, and the reviews have started to trickle in; the more knowing ones from those who read the single editions, and the utterly horrified gasps of those who didn't. The latter reaction is understandable, Neonomicon is a horrible story – not horribly written, but horrible in itself.
This is HP Lovecraft with all that the old master of pulp horror kept implicit, made explicit. Lovecraft was racist, even for his time, and incredibly uncomfortable with sexuality. In some respects, Moore has taken those "indescribable" horrors and made manifest what Lovecraft himself feared most. But Neonomicon is more than that; Moore, like Grant Morrison, never simply lays the facts out for the reader. Instead the reader is part of a collaboration of meaning and intent; do a bit of work yourself, and the experience is that much richer.
Neonomicon then, as I see it, is more than a horrible story, and more even than a knowing look at what horrors really plagued Lovecraft; it's a surge of anger and horror at the comics industry itself, as well as the racism, misogyny and lack of imagination within. But can a horrible story ever be more than simply horrible?
Please note, Neonomicon features an extended and brutal rape scene which is referenced (not explicitly) and condemned in this review.
Comic Review: The Wrong Place by Brecht Evens
When The Wrong Place was published in the US last year, it soon became a darling of the comics press as it had been in the European scene, with praise heaped upon the creator, Brecht Evens. Yet when it was released and re-released here in the UK, as recently as earlier this month, it was once again to a familiar silent reception from the mainstream media. Even the most wonderful of independent comics still inhabit that uncomfortable grey area between literature and art, not fully accepted by either establishment.
I mention this only as it is such a shame that so many people will not have heard of The Wrong Place, and the acclaim from the comics community was most assuredly well deserved. Evens tells the story of a group of individuals leading separate but interconnected lives, rendered in vivid colour and experimental style. Gary and Robbie, the long term best friends whose lives are polar opposites: Gary always in lonely grey, Robbie in brightest blues and surrounded by adoration.
Women in Comics: Women in the New 52 Reviewed
It's fair to say that DC have dominated the comic headlines in recent months, with their much hyped reboot/relaunch stirring up a great deal of controversy and interest for those with an existing interest in comics. A relaunch of any kind is guaranteed attention, but in assuring fans that this move was about attracting new readers and increasing diversity, DC found themselves firmly in the spotlight.
All the first issues are now out, and you've no doubt seen some of the more vitriolic criticism already. I've been waiting for the last week of #1's to arrive so that I could sit back and look at the comics as a whole as well as individually. Now my mega-review of women in the New 52 is ready... and it may not be what you are expecting.
Firstly, a huge thank you to Red Hot Comics for selling me all the comics I needed and going to great lengths to procure them! Despite being a huge fan of comics, I've previously only bought trade collections and graphic novels due to not living particularly near a comic shop. So I guess in some ways, I'm both an existing fan and a potential newcomer.
About a Grrrl
Freelance writer. Comic geek, film addict, metal head, book worm, gamer. I sell books and write. I'd prefer to write books and sell.
This is a collection of my writing, thoughts and interesting links about my geeky interests.
Oh, and I'm not a guy. A woman reading comics still surprises some people...
Recent Tweets
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@tddfn He got a rubbish deal compared to Thor, I'd be angry too :P
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Re-watched Thor last night to get ready for Avengers... reminded myself I totally root for Loki.
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RT! Comic Review: Twisted Dark http://t.co/C4Gl6ELL #comics #horror