Comics
Review: ‘Witch Doctor: Mal Practice’ #3
A medical drama with a wickedly funny twist, Witch Doctor: Mal Practice #3 continues to be a worthwhile read. When it comes to black humor, Brandon Seifert’s writing delivers the hilarious one-liners and Lukas Ketner gives readers something to look at with his monster artwork. This creative team-up is pushing their “Witch Doctor” series to a new level.
WRITTEN BY: Brandon Seifert
ART BY: Lukas Ketner
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: January 23, 2012
Seifert builds up the tension and suspense in this issue. A bigger clue to the story arc’s mystery is revealed as Dr. Morrow finally meets the devious schemers who poisoned him. Because he doesn’t trust anyone, Dr. Morrow isn’t completely sure whether they have his cure or not. Seifert plays an interesting guessing-game with this scenario. Readers are going to have a fun time with this because you’re not really sure which of the protagonists or the antagonists have the upper-hand.
In the opening pages, Seifert provides some character growth to Dr. Morrow. Because he is going to die soon, Dr. Morrow wants to make sure debts are settled and people are taken care of. Readers are getting to see more of the doctor’s personal side, which harkens back to the first issue of “Mal Practice.” When he was alone, Dr. Morrow was listening to his favorite music, cheesy 80’s jams.
Ketner creates the tense atmosphere and the moody lighting right from the start. This entire confrontation between Dr. Morrow and his enemies takes place during a single night and in one location. To heighten the suspense, Ketner focuses on the character’s facial reactions rather than the background. In close-ups, Ketner highlights Seifert’s slapstick humor with his cartoony facial expressions.
The most exciting panels are when Penny jumps into battle. There is a lot of detail to Penny’s poses, especially when she stretches out her arms and slashes the air. Notice the way Eric is depicted with an electronic device on his back. In a hilarious nod to popular culture, Eric looks like a Ghostbuster with his proton pack.
At its mid-way point, “Witch Doctor: Mal Practice” #3 continues to be an entertaining breed of medical horror. This is the right moment for anyone who hasn’t read the “Witch Doctor” series to jump right in.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jorge Solis
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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