Comics
Review: ‘Evil Ernie’ #2
The first issue served as a solid introduction to Ernie Evil and his back story, and he’s already out for blood in the second issue. #2 opens with a flashback scene from Ernie’s childhood where he suffered horrific physical abuse at the hands of his father. The flashback acts as the catalyst that sends Evil Ernie into a bloodthirsty rampage as he shreds through prison guards to get to his father. The issue offers a whole lot in the way of action, but does not deliver enough on the character front.
WRITTEN BY: Jesse Blaze Snider
ART BY: Jason Craig
PUBLISHER: Dynamite Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: Out now
Writer Jesse Blaze Snider is capable of delivering a emotionally compelling story and has all the puzzle pieces in place. Thus far Snider’s flashbacks have been great, as they give the action sequences more impact and help them resonate with readers. However, despite the fact that this is only the second issue, there is still the feeling that Evil Ernie’s supporting cast has been under developed. One of the best things about the original series was that the enormous supporting cast that helped prevent the book from being more than Ernie mindlessly slaughtering everyone. Hopefully we get to see more of Dr. Leonard Price, Mary Young, Rick Young and the rest of the supporting cast in the next few issues. This issue focused a little bit too much on action and not enough on Ernie himself or what drove him into murderous frenzy.
Artist Jason Craig delivers his hyper detailed line work again in this issue with some fantastic action sequences. His work perfectly captures the mood and his graphic depiction of violence is exactly what a book like this needs. Unfortunately, towards the end of the issue a few of Craig’s panels look quite rushed. This inconsistency takes the reader out of the story.
The issue ends on cliffhanger as Evil Ernie finds himself caught in the middle of a prison riot. While first issue of this series had a great mixture of character development and action, issue #2 focuses more on the carnage that Evil Ernie can inflict as he goes on a prison rampage. It will be interesting to see where the creative team take this storyline and what they will do to keep readers interest peaked after their initial thirst for blood has been quenched. Snider and Craig are going to need to find a balance between action and character development if they want to keep readers on board for the long haul.
3/5 Skulls
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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