Comics
Review: ‘The Strain’ #11
In this final chapter, The Strain #11 concludes the visual adaptation of Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s epic-sized novel. At breakneck speed, the plot twists and last-minute surprises keep the story riveting right until the last pages. Since the beginning and now in its conclusion, “The Strain” has been an incredibly fun read.
WRITTEN BY: David Lapham
ART BY: Mike Huddleston
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 13, 2013
Writer David Lapham lets loose on the action as he wraps up the overall story arc. After building the suspense, Lapham doesn’t disappoint when Ephraim, Vasiliy, and Abraham finally have their confrontation with the Master. With a great use of flashbacks, Lapham reveals to readers what Ephraim has to lose. Before heading into battle, Ephraim has the motivation to fight for his son and new love.
Coming full circle, Lapham brings back a theme presented in the first issue. Lapham focuses on Ephraim’s struggle with alcoholism, which was hinted as the reason behind his divorce. By staying true to the novel’s tone, Ephraim is presented as a deeply flawed protagonist because of his drinking problems. This is such a bleak ending and it even gets worse as Ephraim fails to hold onto his sobriety.
Artist Mike Huddleston depicts the attack on the Master’s hideout stunningly. This is where all the action happens as Vasiliy fires his nail gun at the windows and shatters the glass. In a smart move, Vasiliy is breaking the windows in order for the sunlight to shine in. The action intensifies as Vasiliy goes one-on-one with the Master while Ephraim is dealing with Abraham’s sudden heart attack. In the climactic pages, the Master looks more like the Grim Reaper with his skull -shaped face.
The last page of Huddleston’s illustrations really stands out if you notice how the characters are posing. There is so much detail to posture as the entire team deals with their losses. No one is able to look at each other, especially as their leader starts drinking. The only person in the room looking at Ephraim is his son.
Readers will not be disappointed as “The Strain” #11 reaches its conclusion. With the creative team-up of Lapham and Huddleston, they have translated the dark tone and spirit of the novel into the comic book medium. Readers will be anxiously awaiting for the adaption of the next chapter, “The Fall.”
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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