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Review: ’68: Hallowed Ground’ One-Shot

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If you want nonstop zombie-shooting mayhem, die-hard horror fans should look no further than “’68: Hallowed Ground”. You can expect an unnerving graphic experience that will stay with you long after reading. This one-shot special is perfect for anyone who hasn’t picked up the “’68 series” (for shame) and wants to be in the know.

WRITTEN BY: Mark Kidwell
ART BY: Kyle Charles, Josh Medors
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: November 05, 2013

For the returning soldiers, the their time in Vietnam is done but the war is far from over. The zombie plague has spread to their homeland and the rising dead are multiplying to huge numbers. In “Sympathy For The Devil,” a small group seeks refuge inside an abandoned church from the zombies. Will their faith in God protect them as the undead attempt to break through the stained-glass windows? In “Angel On High,” a burnt-out American soldier protects the church from the bell tower. But as he continues to pull the trigger, will he have enough bullets for his sniper rifle to last through the night?

Writer Mark Kidwell explores the two zombie tales through such well-developed characters. In “Sympathy for the Devil,” Apollyon still defends the church even though religious persecution has scarred him both mentally and physically. Kidwell dives into the spiritual themes using the church setting as a metaphor for humanity’s internal conflict with God. Is having faith in yourself the same as having faith in a higher power? Struggling to find the right path, Apollyon realizes that saving the innocent child is worth fighting for.

Interestingly, Kidwell uses a nonlinear structure to tell what’s happening around the church between “Sympathy For The Devil” and “Angel On High.” In “Angel on High,” we’re outside the church, in the bell tower, as the events steer towards the massive explosion. As a sniper, Matthew Angel writes down the name of a saint each time he kills a zombie. Much like Apollyon, Matthew is searching for absolution, much-needed forgiveness, for the carnage he committed in the Vietnam War.

In the first six opening pages, Josh Medors’ layouts are quite cinematic as they capture the small group of survivors in a wide shot. In the first shot, we see how violent and bloody the zombie apocalypse has become. There are limbs scattered around the front yard of the church and a faceless zombie clinging to the barbed wire. The character designs of the zombies by Medors is nasty , dirty, and disturbing. The dead are wearing torn clothing, as if they are supposed to be homeless, have rotten teeth, and the last remaining bits of flesh are sticking to their bones.

What I really enjoyed about Kyle Charles’ illustrations is how he is able to tell two stories at the same time. In the foreground, we see Apollyon in a heated argument with the priest. In the background, Charles uses the stained-glass windows to tell another aspect of the narrative. Using the spiritual themes, the stained-glass windows tells the story of Mary and Joseph protecting their first-born child. Charles heightens the suspense as a zombie climbs up the wall while Matthew is flirting with Clara in the bell tower.

A definite must-read, “’68: Hallowed Ground” is a special treat for fans of gore, zombies, and bloody headshots. Though this is his last comics work, the creativity of Josh Medors’ storytelling and artistic talents are on full blown display in this installment.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jorge Solis

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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