Comics
Review: “Drumhellar” #6
“Drumhellar” #6 is one of those “between arcs” issues. Comprised of equal parts prologue and epilogue, it introduces us to a trippy new case for our intrepid hallucinogenic detective Drum Hellar. This new mystery looks to send him westward across the country to Whitlock, Washington. But before we’re whisked away on this new adventure we’ve got to “get off” of the previous one.
WRITTEN BY: Riley Rossmo & Alex Link
ART BY: Riley Rossmo
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: June 18, 2014
Reviewed By: Torbin Chimners
That was a subtle way to inform you that a majority of this issue is an extended psychedelic sex scene (with some light bestiality on the side.) Pretty much every major character from the last arc gets a “release” this issue. This is the most straightforward and cohesive issue of Drumhellar yet. For the first time, I actually had a solid grasp of everything that was happening. This should be a plus, right? Wrong. If you’re looking for a cohesive narrative that goes from point A to point B in a logical, sensible manner you’ve come to the wrong place.
The erratic and aloof style of storytelling established in the first five issues perfectly reflects the state of Drum’s fragile psyche. It felt like we we’re bumbling through this drug addled fog together, but this issue feels a lot more formulaic and conventional in comparison. There’s still a girl modeling sexy outfits for a possessed dog so this isn’t your grandpapi’s comic, but I found the more scatterbrained approach refreshing and I’d hate to see Drumhellar become conventional.
The hallucinogenic trips here are simply sublime. Riley Rossmo continues to amaze and astound as the visual triple threat of penciler, inker and colourist. I regularly found myself getting lost in the whimsical and mind melting full page spreads which meld time, space, and the human form. This is all offset by the almost Chucky inspired child’s story that bookends the issue quite nicely. Using very subdued blue-grays that feel essentially black and white in comparison to the vivid purples that are one of Drumhellar’s few constants.
Drumhellar’s visuals are at an all-time high. Riley Rossmo’s art can do no wrong and hell, I’d love to see an entire issue consumed by a never ending psychedelic trip. Even with everything I said about this issue feeling a bit more conventional it’s still one of the most creative books on the shelves. Drumhellar oozes originality from every orifice and you’d be a boring fool not to support this stellar book.
Torbin Chimners AKA Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter@Vulgar_Rhombus
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.