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Review: ‘X’ #4

Published

10 years ago

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Shotgun blasts for everyone in “X” #4. Things get dirtier and nastier for our anti-hero trying to clean up the city of Arcadia in the most blood-splattered ways possible. Nothing is clean, sacred or safe in this town. X is irritating everything corrupt is ultra-violent fashion without consideration for his or anyone else’s safety.

WRITTEN BY: Duane Swierczyski
ART BY: Eric Nguyen
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: 14 August 2013

I honestly would not be surprised at all if they do an all-red issue in the future. There is so much spilt blood and body parts flying in this issue I half-thought it was a zombie story. Sadly for the inhabitants of this tale, these people have turned themselves into monsters with no viral infection as an excuse to be found anywhere. The horror of people’s base nature is profiled in writer Duane Swierczyski’s coda for X’s first act of vigilante terrorism. Natives of this town seem capable of doing anything in order to survive, no matter how filthy it may be.

I have never heard of a villain who you could literally punch in the face forever since he can’t feel it. The fact that his skin is grafted from pigs is a not-so-subtle nod to show how ugly Berkshire is on the inside and on the outside. This is a horror film with vigilantes mixed in to give readers a bracing new story. Absolutely every character gets theirs hands, mouths, and everything else dirty here.

Is there a horror channel out there that could adapt this? I don’t know as I only get two English channels here in South Korea. This issue screamed zombie-gore, but no undead were anywhere to be found. It’s fascinating to see uninfected people can be as gruesome as flesh-eating monsters. There’s more mysteries to be explored in Arcadia and how X plans to exact justice. Now that I think of it, this story IS already on TV in a PG-friendly version: the CW’s Arrow. Only this crusader is rated a hard R. Duane Swierczyski and Eric Nguyen are keeping me distressingly compelled to see where they’re going next.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady

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Archie Horror Returns for Seconds with ‘Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors: Fresh Meat’ [Exclusive]

Published

3 weeks ago

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December 13, 2023

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This year Archie Horror fans were treated to the horror anthology Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors. The collection gave readers a look into the sinister going-ons once the infamous Riverdale diner closed up for the night. I was personally a big fan of the title as it evoked the feeling of those classic EC Comics titles such as Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror but with a fun food-themed twist. In a surprise announcement, Bloody Disgusting is excited to exclusively reveal the follow-up title that will invite readers back for sinister seconds.

Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors: Fresh Meat isn’t a sequel in the traditional sense but instead a prequel that will reveal to readers how Pop and his Diner from Hell came to be across three all new stories from the original’s creative team. The title is set to be released March 20th, 2024.

The stories in this horrifying anthology collection are “The Lord of the Fries” by Amy Chase and Federico Sabbatini, “Feed Me, Jughead” by Eisner nominee Jordan Morris and Liana Kangas, and finally “Free Market, Free Range” by Ryan Cady and Chris Panda.

Jamie L. Rotante, Senior Director of Editorial at Archie Comics had this to say about the return to Pop’s Diner:

“We’re incredibly excited to return to the dark world of Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors for another serving of scares! We’re even more excited because the full creative team from last year’s issue is returning. What I love about Pop’s is that it deftly blends some of the most absurd, gruesome, and gory slasher and sci-fi horror with the funniest lines and moments I’ve ever read in an Archie Comic. It’s the perfect schlockfest and anyone who enjoys the brazen, dark humor of horror is sure to enjoy this anthology!”

Returning writer Amy Chase said in a statement, “I can’t even begin to express how thrilled I am that the whole gang is back for seconds. It’s been an interesting challenge to craft a Pop’s prequel while keeping track of all our culinary carnage from the first issue. Readers are definitely in for some new scares with the same great taste!”

Ryan Cady adds, “Sometimes there’s nothing more terrifying than a sequel, but fear not — this one’s all killer, no filler. It’s been so rad getting the team back together and cooking up more horrors.

Finally Jordan Morris teases, “I’m so glad to be returning to the Evil Pop-averse (that’s what I’ve been calling it. Maybe it’ll catch on?)! It’s such a blast combining food and horror in a way that will make readers oscillate between ‘I could go for a burger right now!’ and ‘Holy crud I feel like I’m going to hurl! Do these depraved minds hold nothing sacred?”

With the March 20th, 2024 release date around the corner we can’t wait to sink our teeth into some Fresh Meat. The new chapter in the Pop’s Chock’lit Shoppe of Horrors saga will be available wherever comics are sold.

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