Comics
Review: ‘The Twilight Zone’ #2
Capturing the nostalgic magic of the past, “The Twilight Zone” #2 is a suspenseful mind-bender that never slows down. Based on the classic TV series by Rod Serling, “The Twilight Zone” returns with even more twisted tales. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie to the series, don’t miss this trip into another dimension of imagination.
WRITTEN BY: J. Michael Straczynski
ART BY: Guiu Vilanova
PUBLISHER: Dynamite Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: Feb. 5, 2013
In order to avoid prison time for embezzlement and fraud, Trevor Richmond traded his old life for a new one. With a different name and face, Trevor is able to walk away freely and unpunished from his crimes. But suddenly, something is obviously wrong when Trevor sees himself testifying in court. Trevor knows that is not him but somehow it really is him standing there in the courtroom. Someone else has taken his name and face, using his identity for their own personal gain. Will Trevor make a new man out of himself now that he has a second chance? Or does he secretly want his old life back?
Writer J. Michael Straczynski explores society’s personal fears through intense psychological horrors. Using satire, Straczynski is able to poke fun at the economic gap between the wealthy and middle class. The real Trevor Richmond is a Wall Street stock-broker who stole millions from his investors. The fake Trevor Richmond has a guilty conscience and turns himself in to the authorities, pleading forgiveness from the public. Everything the real Richmond built, fake Richmond is doing a great job breaking it down.
What’s really interesting about Straczynski’s narrative is that fake Richmond’s character arc resembles closely to a coming-of-age tale. Seeking redemption, fake Richmond is trying to reconcile with his girlfriend and his estranged father. Fake Richmond is making a better life for himself than the real Richmond ever did. Even with his new identity, the real Richmond is still making a mess and getting into serious trouble.
I particularly enjoy how artist Guiu Vilanova came up with the character designs of Trevor Richmond. Though the two Richmonds are basically the same person, Vilanova is able to hint at the differences, making it easier for the readers to distinguish them. While the doubles have the same hairstyle, the real Richmond is a much darker version of himself. In their facial expressions, the real Richmond is smug, arrogant, and confused, while the doppelganger is calm and confident.
Vilanova kicks it up a notch when the real Richmond ends up in a high speed pursuit chase with the police. Through extreme close-ups, Vilanova intensifies the action sequence as the cops end up pulling their triggers. Vilanova makes great use of its New York location, setting the chase inside Manhattan buildings and onto the streets. In an impressive splash page, Vilanova illustrates the different chapters of the car ride from the rims of a tire.
“The Twilight Zone” #2 captures the essence of what made the TV series so memorable. I look forward to more tale tales of light and shadow as the “The Twilight Zone” continues in the comic book page.
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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