Comics
10 Comics To Feast On: June 20 2012
Comic publishers are kind to us this late week in June, offering what looks to be one of the best weeks of the summer for horror comic fiends. Caitlin R. Kiernan continues her Alabaster: Wolves series, Riley Rossmo concludes his zombie epic, Rebel Blood, IDW’s new Mars Attacks series begins, and a whole lot more.
With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve all got to limit our reading list somehow. We present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up. If I’ve missed something you’re stoked about or if you’ve got any questions, list it in the comments.
Dark Tower: Man In Black #1
WRITTEN BY: Peter David
ART BY:
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99
The Low Down: “Stephen King’s most celebrated novel comes to life! Roland continues his journey towards the Dark Tower in his search for the Man in Black–but will he betray young Jake along the way? Don’t miss the exciting fifth and final chapter in the Dark Tower: Gunslinger saga! Superstar artist Alex Maleev (Daredevil, Halo: Uprising, Moon Knight) joins Peter David, Robin Furth and Richard Isanove on this last epic adventure!”
The Feast: I refuse to believe this is actually coming out this week, but nowhere could I find any information regarding a schedule delay (and Marvel didn’t answer me). If this is real, get out your six-shooters and your cowboy boots because “The Dark Tower” comics are finally catching up with the novels. This series has been nothing but brilliant from the start, and it’s all thanks to Peter David’s incredibly moody script work. This would be a great jumping in point for any of you who are new to the series.
Before Watchmen: The Comedian #1
WRITTEN BY: Brian Azzarello and Len Wein
ART BY: J.G. Jones
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99
The Low Down: “’I’m a funny guy…’ Plus: Don’t miss the CRIMSON CORSAIR backup story by writer LEN WEIN and artist JOHN HIGGINS! This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.”
The Feast: The original series began with the death of the Comedian. But who was the man really? We caught glimpses of his bleakness throughout the book, but never a clear image of the man under the mask. Of all the “Before Watchmen” books, this seems to be one of the most significant, so let’s hope it’s a good one.
Mars Attacks #1
WRITTEN BY: John Layman
ART BY: John McCrea
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
The Low Down: “The invasion begins! The first stories of an all-new MARS ATTACKS universe are here, bringing outrageous action and dark humor to the comics page. Eisner-winning writer John Layman (Chew) is joined by Eisner-winning artist John McCrea (Hitman) to sound the alarm. Beware! The Martians are coming!”
The Feast: Tim Burton has gone down hill, but before his remake stage he made some fine films, including “Mars Attacks” (based on the original trading card game). Now those bugger aliens are back for another invasion story with a wicked creative team bringing them to life. John Layman of Image’s hit series “Chew” is penning this one, and we can’t wait to see what he does with the martians.
The Walking Dead #99
WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ART BY: Charlie Adlard
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
The Low Down: “’SOMETHING TO FEAR’ CONTINUES! The unthinkable happens, as we all gear up for next month’s monumental issue 100!”
The Feast: Issue #100 is almost here, and many sites are already speculating the sales records it will break. But before we get there, we’ve got the set up issue #99, which in my mind, is just as important.
Godzilla #2
WRITTEN BY: Duane Swierczynski
ART BY: Simon Gane
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
The Low Down: “Boxer is ready to settle the score with Godzilla, and assembles his ‘Monster Kill Crew,’ a group of highly-trained weirdos, each with their own private grudge against the kaiju. As we get to know these mercenaries the team stocks up on all the equipment they’ll need to take down their first bounty-ANGUIRUS!”
The Feast: destruction, monsters, chaos, and laughs, the new “Godzilla Ongoing” series has it all. The debut issue was stellar, proving that Godzilla still reigns supreme in the world of giant, city-crushing, monsters. I know many of you readers haven’t gone into “Godzilla” before, but trust us, this is worth checking out.
Rebel Blood #4
WRITTEN BY: Alex Link and Riley Rossmo
ART BY: Riley Rossmo
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
The Low Down: “Guided by a mysterious voice through a night of carnage, you know the worst of it is still coming. After all, every step of the way home has been a fight for your life, against a whole world out for your blood. Any nightmare could be waiting for you around the next corner. The terrifying conclusion to a night of carnage, with the trail of blood leading right to your own front door!”
The Feast: I have no idea how this is going to end after only four issues, but Image promised it would be a shocking ending, and that’s probably what we’ll get. Rossmo doesn’t fail to deliver and the conclusion will undoubtedly bring on loads of blood, grotesque images, and a jaw-dropping finale.
Saga #4
WRITTEN BY: Brian K. Vaughan
ART BY: Fiona Staples
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
The Low Down: “Welcome to SEXTILLION, a distant planet where even your darkest fantasies become reality. See why everyone’s talking about this hit new ongoing adventure from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and FIONA STAPLES!”
The Feast: I overheard someone in my local comic shop asking another customer “have you heard of Brian K. Vaughan, the author”. Are there really people out there reading comics who don’t know who BKV is?
Batwoman #10
WRITTEN BY: J. H. Williams and Haden Blackman
ART BY: Amy Reeder-Hadley
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99
The Low Down: “Ambushed by KILLER CROC! The penultimate chapter of ‘TO DROWN THE WORLD’ reveals the true nature of the villain BATWOMAN has been searching for all this time!”
The Feast: This is the culmination of what J.H. Williams III has been building for over a year, as Kate Kane dukes it out with Killer Croc. Williams III has proven himself to be more than just a groundbreaking artist, he knows how to tell a creepy and engaging story as well. “Batwoman” unique in it’s approach to characterization in the superhero world, and this issue should be a big one.
Alabaster: Wolves #3
WRITTEN BY: Caitlin R. Kiernan
ART BY: Steve Lieber
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.50
The Low Down: “A glimpse into Dancy’s past, as she follows her two guides-each less trustworthy than the other-deeper into the twisted maze of the town.”
The Feast: Kiernan has transitioned her albino demon huntress seamlessly into the comic world. In fact, Dancy seems to work just as well, if not better, in comics than she does in the literature. All the kids want are zombies and vampires these days, but werewolves also seem to be making a comeback, and “Alabaster: Wolves” is setting the bar high for whatever follows suit.
Lovecraft Library Vol. 2: Call Of Cthulhu & Other Tales HC #10
WRITTEN BY: H.P. Lovecraft
ART BY: Sam Shearon
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $16.99
The Low Down: “’That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange eons even death may die,’ declared H.P. Lovecraft describing the truth hidden beneath the surface of his most nightmarish stories. In this collection of six short stories and novellas, Lovecraft explores the boundaries of modern horror, ranging from the cosmic dread of demonic creatures from the stars in ‘The Call of Cthulhu,’ to ‘The Haunter of the Dark,’ and the hidden horrors lurking within ‘The Shunned House’ and ‘The Diary of Alonzo Typer.’ Also includes ‘The Shadow Over Innsmouth’ and ‘The Festival.’ With color art by Sam ‘Mister-Sam’ Shearon and a new introduction by Lovecraft scholar Robert Weinberg.”
The Feast: No horror collection is complete without a solid range of Lovecraft books. This week, IDW releases their second volume of their “Lovecraft Library” project, collecting all kinds of blood curdling tales from a true master of horror. Classic Lovecraft stories you love, illustrated by Sam Shearon; a nice addiction to any library.
Any thoughts? Books you’re excited about? Sound off in the comments or let me know on twitter!
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.