Comics
Review: ‘The Spider’ #6
A new arc begins in issue #6 of The Spider from Dynamite Entertainment. Unfortunately, it doesn’t manage to quite live up to the precedent established in its first five issues. The Spider’s trademark humor is largely absent, the art is uneven, and the villain is, well, less than intimidating. That said, there are some bright spots as well; new characters are introduced into the world of “The Spider” and there’s an interesting backstory to one of them. But it’s not enough to save this disappointing issue.
WRITER: David Liss
ARTIST: Colton Worley
PUBLISHER: Dynamite Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: November 21st, 2012
There are a number of flaws with “The Spider” #6, but perhaps the most irksome is the art. In man instances, it’s excellent. But in many others, there’s a lot to be desired. See, the style artist Colton Worley uses is a unique style with a heavily digital aesthetic. When it works, it works well, but if it’s even slightly off it distracts from the story being told. Characters sometimes seem vacant and lifeless, taking away from the impact of the script. The action scenes also, at times, feel claustrophobic and hard to follow.
There are also a number of issues with the David Liss’ plot. One of the best aspects of “The Spider” is the wit of Richard Wentworth. Unfortunately, aside from a minor quip in the men’s bathroom, that wit is conspicuously absent in the issue. In general, what makes “The Spider” an original book is absent, with one notable exception. This issue introduces us to Jackson, a former soldier who fought in Iraq with Wentworth, and who is attempting to atone for his past sins as a soldier in serving The Spider. It’s an interesting subplot and one that will hopefully be developed in the forthcoming issues.
Wingman is The Spider’s newest foil, and commits dastardly crimes with the help of his mind-controlled pigeons. Yes, pigeons. He’s not the most intimidating villain, to say the least. His identity – revealed at the issue’s end – has some interesting implications, but it’s not enough to overcome the fact that he has the ability to get pigeons to peck people to death.
This was a misstep in an otherwise fine series, so there’s not much to be concerned about. And while this issue has plenty of faults, it sets up future issues well. I’m still hopeful for the future of this series.
2/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – George Shunick
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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