Comics
Review: ‘Ghosted’ #3
Anchored by great artistic vision from Goran Sudzuka, Joshua Williamson’s dark and mysterious “Ghosted” #3 is a refreshing read, and easily the most interesting installment of the series so far. Sold as a crime-horror title, the book, in actuality, dabbles in multiple genres, mixing crime with heist and supernatural-horror. All are presented with a knowing ominousness that, by the issue’s end, will have you eagerly anticipating what’s to come.
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Williamson
ART BY: Goran Sudzuka
PUBLISHER: Image Comics / Skybound Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: September 11th, 2013
It was announced last month that “Ghosted” has moved from mini-series to on-going, leading to the assumption that the narrative will most likely progress at a slow and casual pace. But this installment is unexpectedly generous in terms of plot development and Trask Mansion spirit/character interactions; deadly or otherwise. Regarding character development, readers have a basic understanding of who each individual character is, and their roles within the team, but Williamson has yet to delve deep into anyone’s pasts or personalities just yet. He makes a point to explore Jackson Winters’ last botched job a bit more, revealing that something sinister was probably at play.
In “Ghosted” #3, the story begins with the final panel, where Jackson is caught in an extremely dangerous situation at the Trask Mansion, then takes readers back through the events leading up to his predicament. Starting where the second issue leaves off, Jackson and his team of paranormal experts continue planning for the ghost heist at the mansion, but they’re missing an important item that Edzia Rusnak needs in order to detect ghosts and spirits. Unfortunately, this item — a mask which belonged to a voodoo priest — is one of Markus Schrecken’s collected supernatural artifacts. After acquiring the mask under deceitful circumstances, Jackson and his team head back to the haunted mansion where Williamson introduces two new characters.
Goran Sudzuka continues to dish out impressive illustrations of the characters and their surroundings — namely the architectural aspects of the Trask Mansion — which are brought to life through Miroslav Mrva’s dusky colour palette. He doesn’t make any inspired choices when it comes to panel layouts, but there’s a particular page which stands out amongst the rest, for his panel work, overall design, and horrific imagery of death and murder. The sheer terror Sudzuka depicts on Jackson’s face is perfect, and his style when it comes to rendering shadows is excessive and distinguished. His take on particular ghosts and spirits is still something I haven’t taken to, yet. Hopefully that changes in the future.
There’s some great character dynamics and interaction between Edzia Rusnak, Oliver King, and Anderson Lake in this installment. Rusnak’s eccentric medium nature, next to King’s stubborn skepticism, and Lake’s no bullshit attitude, makes for some funny and engaging dialogue and scenes. Hopefully Williamson provides these members with more characterization and backstory soon, because I’m sold on them.
He and Sudzuka have a knack for ending each issue on an extremely high note and “Ghosted” #3 is no different. The last 7 pages steal the show with an increased focus on horror, something that’s been in the undertone of the series until now. Williamson sets up a crazy cliffhanger ending that will, again, solidify most readers’ interest.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – ShadowJayd
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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