Comics
Review: ‘Haunted Horror’ #3
In the unregulated era before the Comics Code Authority forced the industry to self-censor in fear of inciting juvenile delinquency, lawless and raw pre-Code horror comics of the early 1950s reigned supreme. Exhibiting an ageless quality that’s just prime for reprinting, the unearthing of this lost world of vintage comics can only increase exposure, as devoted collectors and diligent editors resurrect and restore the rarest of tales and art. Now, Atom Age horror comics enthusiasts are able to enjoy an assortment of stories frowned upon by the likes of Dr. Fredric Wertham, for an affordable price.
IDW and Yoe Books continue to uncover and promote those contraband horror comics pulverized by bureaucratic inquisition, with their latest collection of re-mastered works in Haunted Horror #3.
WRITTEN BY: Jack Cole, Myron Fass, Ross Andru, Rod Palais
ART BY: Tony Mortellaro, Jack Cole, Myron Fass, Paul Gattuso, Ross Andru, Rod Palais
PUBLISHER: IDW Publishing
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 27th
From the same individuals behind Dick Briefer’s “Frankenstein” and Bob Powell’s “Terror” and “Zombies”, this critically acclaimed series is back with more chilling, excellently restored and reprinted tales that epitomize the pre-Code horror era.
The third installment boasts six distinct pieces of work from a variety of writers and illustrators, including, but not limited to, Jack Cole (“Plastic Man”), Myron Fass (“Eerie Publications”), Sheldon Moldoff (“Hawkman”), and Ross Andru (“Wonder Woman”). But like most anthologies, the collection fluctuates in terms of quality; nevertheless, each featured comic has enough admirable traits that make them worth reading.
Each story was published between the years 1951-1953, and what’s most interesting about them — besides their ability to accurately reflect the cultural atmosphere of that period in time — is the fact that most of these pieces, and others like it, were the likely cause of the Code’s creation. The bulk of the book showcases gratuitous violence, vampirism, concepts of a corrupt system due to dirty judges and government officials, scenes dealing with the incitement of gruesome crime, lurid content, the dead, and illustrations of “good girl art”; usually drawn in the pin-up tradition, which features a strong emphasis on attractive women, no matter the subject or situation. All of these characteristics, and more, were prohibited by the Code in 1955.
“Haunted Horror” #3, as well as its previous installments, serves as a good starting point for those interested in horror comics of years past, in terms of the historical significance of both script and art. With 52 full-colour pages that take readers through themes of treachery, psycho love, revenge, and murder, the artistic style of these vintage horror comics utilizes a vivid colour palette of loud pastels. It lends well to the depictions of terrified facial expressions, and the various monsters featured in the book. Concepts of supernatural abuse and comeuppance are prevalent in almost all pre-Code era comics, and such is the case with this anthology.
Perhaps there could be more context/history within the pages of the book, just as a means to sell the era. But I understand that disconnecting from the digital age of preconceived knowledge, and the existence of an established fandom, makes for a more authentic experience in terms of enjoying a comic as they did in that generation.
Issue #3 features Jack Cole’s “Hangman’s Horror”, Myron Fass’ “The Thing in the Pool”, Rod Palais’ “Weird Worlds”, Paul Gattuso and Sheldon Moldoff’s “The Eyes in his Hand”, “Haunt from the Sea”, attributed by Iger Shop, and Ross Andru’s “One Man’s Poison”.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – ShadowJayd
Comics
‘You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive’ – IDW Dark’s Next Horror Comic Will Make You Question Reality
Five friends. Four houses. One perfect life. Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively announce You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive, a brand new horror comic from IDW Dark.
From Eisner-Nominated writers Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and rising horror artist Heather Vaughan, You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is described as a “paranoia-laced, socially-conscious, horror mystery that will leave you questioning reality, and reveal that this crafted world is more of a nightmare than the idealistic dream they were expecting.”
Phoebe Joplin has never questioned the world her parents built: a secluded community where she and her friends were raised to be smarter, stronger, and better than anyone else. No distractions. No dangers. No secrets. Until the night of their graduation.
When one of them dies under impossible circumstances, Phee starts to pull at the edges of her perfect life—and what she finds is something far more terrifying than she ever imagined.
Because this place isn’t a sanctuary. It’s a cage. And no one who discovers the truth ever leaves it alive.
Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing (Batman – One Bad Day: Clayface, Star Trek: The Last Starship) co-write the upcoming IDW Dark horror comic, featuring art by Heather Vaughan.
Jackson Lanzing said in a statement to Bloody Disgusting, “You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive is in many ways a spiritual successor to our last creator-owned horror, The Principles of Necromancy – a dive into the promise and consequence of playing god with the blood of innocents. But the Hivemind book this reminds me of most is Clayface: One Bad Day. This is a deeply human story with intensely raw emotions – five best friends and their five mysterious parents, tearing one another apart for the promise of some impossible glory that’s waiting just beyond their darkest actions. We’re thrilled to be bringing this story to life with our long-time partner in crime, editor Heather Antos, at IDW Dark – and we’re particularly excited to give our Clayface fans a new, brutal and emotional horror made just for them.”
Adds Collin Kelly, “We’re deconstructing a feeling that seems universal these days; our elders have a death grip on their power, without any intention of giving it up to the generations that come next. YNLTPA is about growing up with the limitless potential of the future… and realizing how much it’s a lie we’ve been fed to keep us under the yoke of the past. Bringing this brutal experience to life is our artist and co-creator, Heather Vaughan, who brings an incredible amount of humanity to our cast. But it’s in our youthful leads that Heather’s art really shines – you are going to fall in love with these young people, even as they go through the worst experience of their lives. What we’ve all crafted together is going to be tragic, painful, but above all else, sincere – with a future so uncertain, there’s only one thing we can trust: you’ll never leave this place alive.”
“Some horror stories are about monsters in the dark. YNLTPA is about realizing the monsters raised you,” previews Senior Group Editor Heather Antos. “Working with Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly on this series has been a dream in the darkest possible way. They’ve built a story that’s layered, brutal, and deeply emotional, and every issue gives artist Heather Vaughan opportunities to push the art into places that feel both haunting and deeply personal. Some horror comics will keep you up at night…this is one that will stick with you for years to come.”
The first issue of You’ll Never Leave This Place Alive goes on sale October 14, 2026! Make sure to pre-order at your local comic shop by September to guarantee a copy.
Exclusively check out the various covers for Issue #1 down below.
IDW Publishing’s horror imprint IDW DARK features comics like A Quiet Place: Storm Warning, Smile: For the Camera, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Twilight Zone, Event Horizon: Dark Descent & Event Horizon: Inferno, and more.
You must be logged in to post a comment.