Comics
BD Pick Of The Week: ‘Bram Stoker’s Death Ship: The Last Voyage of Demeter’ PLUS A 5 Page Preview!
I know I’ve said this often the past month or so, but this week is going to be very slow for genre fans in comics as there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to fill the void that is the ‘other 6 days in your week’. Of course you could always stick with some safe choices such as “THE LIGHT” issue #2, “VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS” #19, “GHOST PROJEKT” #2, ect…but if you are looking for something new to sink* your teeth into IDW Publishing’s newest title that launches this week, “BRAM STOKER’S DEATH SHIP”. Read on for the full 5 page preview, and as always, why you should care.
*Oh, very bad pun, and this time, it was honestly not intended. Scouts honor!
WRITTEN BY: Gary Gerani
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Stuart Sayger
COVERS BY: Cliff Nielsen
“An untold story from the greatest vampire story ever written, Bram Stoker’s Death Ship explores the harrowing, nightmarish sea voyage from Transylvania to England. One by one, the terrified crewmembers of the Russian schooner Demeter vanish, victims of the unearthly lifeform that lies comatose in the ship’s hold during daylight hours. Only Demeter’s seasoned captain, a proud man of the sea, remains to confront the voracious monster that has preyed upon his crew by moonlight…”
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE
The first thing that should jump out at any horror fan worth their weight in salt is the name Gary Gerani. The scribe is probably best known to fans among the genre as being the mastermind behind the cult classic “PUMPKINHEAD” as well as another genre film (albeit in no way, shape, or form a classic) “VAMPIRELLA”. The issue will be the kick-off of the 4 part mini that is based upon the work of Bram Stoker. Gerani’s tale takes readers on a not-so-fantastic voyage aboard the Russian schooner, Demeter. As the story progresses (and the crew members ranks lower) it soon becomes apparent that someone, or something, lying deep within the ship’s hold is the cause.
Content wise Gerani has promised readers that he will not disappoint when it comes to the gratuity, and if the preview above is any indication of what is in store, then I would say he is good on his word. Based on what we are hearing the story is going to be a completely dark and mature piece of genre fare that should entice many a fans. Being that the story itself is only based upon Stoker’s it will also be interesting to see just what sort of direction the Captain decides to take the ship as the series progresses. (I’m full of these things today)
Aside from the writing end of things, painter and all around amazing artist Cliff Nielsen will be donating his work on the cover art for each issue providing readers with some nice eye candy to go with the the read. On the other end of that we also have series artist Stuart Sayger who has worked with everyone from DC Comics, to Warner bros, to Lego! The artist is wildly known for his very artistically detailed style that incorporates elements of paints and water colors into comic book illustrations. (Think of the old Mark Twain picture books your parents used to read you, or make you read, and then twist them around to be 100% less kid friendly) His most well known work in the genre would be “SHIVER IN THE DARK”, which is by its own accord an awesome piece of work, and a story that deserves much more recognition than it has gotten.
All in all the formula for “DEATH SHIP” is sound, and for all intents and purposes it should be an automatic success. However, as we have learned the hard way many a times, there is no such thing as a ‘sure thing’ in this industry, and in a business as cluttered and cutthroat as comics are nowadays only time can tell. I would say that based upon the other choices out there this week though that this is most definitely the most intriguing pick. So go ahead and give “BRAM STOKER’S DEATH SHIP” a spin, see what you think, and then be sure to stop back in and let us know what you thought. Who knows, it just might live up to the pedigree that has been set behind it.
“BRAM STOKERS: DEATH SHIP” Sails Into A Store Near You This Wednesday From IDW Publishing! (MSRP-$3.99)
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
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