Comics
Review: “Spread” #1
The cinematic influences behind Justin Jordan, Kyle Strahm, and Felipe Sobreira’s new series “Spread” are numerous. In the author’s “patented end of issue ramblings,” the Mad Max film series are unapologetically paid homage to. And rightly so. While reading Issue #1, I also picked up on (obvious) references to John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi classic The Thing, especially given the icy setting, but also Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy epic Willow. Both made me very happy.
WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan
ART BY: Kyle Strahm
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: July 9, 2014
Reviewed by Nick Brehmer
The Spread is a terrible, ravenous, infectious mass with stylistic renderings similar to that of the demonic force from Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. It eats its way through people and animals that don’t run fast enough, and even those with an immunity, like our mysterious protagonist No, may still suffer being ripped to shreds.
The story is propelled by the narration of the (presumably) now older Hope, a baby (at the time of Issue #1) with an incredible gift. She is rescued by No in the inaugural issue from a band of post-Spread-apocalyptic raiders. The hero quickly realizes her importance, but he isn’t the only one with a vested interest in the infant.
The writing flows like pieces of nightmarish memory slowly being put back together. Little is revealed in Issue #1 about the nature of the Spread or how much damage has actually been done to civilization. And, like Issue #1, I’m not inclined to reveal much in this review. I suspect that you’ll be as intrigued as I am during your own read-through.
I found the aforementioned back matter “ramblings” to be very insightful to the creators’ process. Jordan writes “I’ve never been as interested in, say, the first days of a zombie apocalypse as I have in what the world would look like ten or twenty years after.” I share this sentiment. The world of “Spread” has been plagued for some time and the danger is significant. However, given the events of Issue #1, there may be hope (*ahem*) left for humanity.
The colouring of this series is going to be a major draw to some. The coldness of the human world, dominated by blues, greys, and most prominently, white, is cut by the heat of the bright red Spread. It makes for an (at one point literally) eye-popping experience.
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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