Comics
More Details On Thing-Inspired “Spread”
Justin Jordan and Kyle Strahm’s new series looks to be one for longtime horror fans to follow, evoking imagery similar to John Carpenter’s classic, The Thing. We scooped up some details on the series last week, but Image has released further information including a synopsis that makes the book even more intruiging.
Look for “Spread” #1 in shops July 9, 2014.
From the press release:
Justin Jordan (DEAD BODY ROAD, Luther Strode) and Kyle Strahm (HACK/SLASH, HAUNT) team up for a new science-fiction thriller, SPREAD, a horrifying story of inevitable death and slim hope. Enthusiasm for SPREAD will prove infectious and launch with a social media contest. Post the cover image of SPREAD #1 with the caption “it’s spreading…” and tag @kstrahm and @Justin_Jordan on Twitter and/or Facebook with the hashtag #itsspreading for for a chance to cameo as an extra character in the book, plus other SPREAD swag. Winners will be revealed on the day of release, July 9.
Ten years ago, humanity dug too deep and unleashed something ancient that couldn’t be controlled. Something that couldn’t be stopped, twisting everything it touched into more of itself. The Spread. Humanity was nearly destroyed before finding a way to slow the Spread to a crawl. Now, deep inside the quarantined zone, one man has found what might be the key to stopping it forever: a baby girl. And if he can save her, he might save the world.
“It’s Lone Wolf and Cub in a world where John Carpenter’s The Thing ate North America,” said Jordan. “Sean Shields, mostly called ‘No’ in the book—because he’s taciturn enough that it’s most of his dialogue—is one of the survivors. No is ‘Spread-immune,’ unable to be converted by the Spread biomass, and this means he can get closer to the Spread to scavenge useful bits of what used to be civilization—but not without danger. ”
The Spread itself is comprised of more than just its threat for virulence the creatures that lurk and thrive within it are equally nefarious. “I’ve designed piles of crazy organisms that form the Spread ecosystem. [Colorist] Felipe Sobreiro and I have crafted a look for these things that we’re very proud of,” said Strahm. “From tiny scavengers to massive predators, every creature has a spot on the food chain and looks pretty cool occupying that spot. The organisms least equipped to survive in the Spread are human beings. Gross things happen when they get too close.”
SPREAD #1 arrives in stores on 7/9 and is available for $3.50.
SPREAD can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code MAY140579.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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