With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve all got to limit our reading list somehow. We present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up. If I’ve missed something you’re stoked about or if you’ve got any questions, list it in the comments.

American Vampire Vol. 4 HC

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ART BY: Rafael Albuquerque
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $24.99

The Low Down: “This new hardcover collects two epic tales: ‘The Beast in the Cave,’ about Skinner Sweet’s involvement in the brutal Indian Wars, and ‘Death Race,’ about 1950s vampire hunter Travis Kidd! Collects issues #19-27 of the smash-hit series!”

The Feast: I’m not sure if fans like Snyder’s work on “American Vampire” or “Batman” more, but it doesn’t really matter. He’s solidified himself as one of the top writers in the field in only a few short years. “American Vampire” comes straight from Snyder’s heart, and every single issue bleeds with passion.

The Goon #42

WRITTEN BY: Eric Powell
ART BY: Eric Powell
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “The Zombie Priest, now going by the name Mr. Corpus, has reemerged and given the Goon a dire warning. But will the Goon listen or will he just go for the punching? My votes on the punching.”

The Feast: Eric Powell’s “The Goon” is back in full force as a monthly title. “The Goon” is constantly blending aspects of horror and comedy to deliver one of the most original titles from Dark Horse. Even if you’re not versed in Goon culture, now’s the time to dive in.

Happy #1

WRITTEN BY: Grant Morrison
ART BY: Darick Robertson
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Meet NICK SAX – a corrupt, intoxicated ex-cop turned hit-man, adrift in a stinking twilight world of casual murder, soulless sex, eczema and betrayal. With a hit gone wrong, a bullet in his side, the cops and the mob on his tail, and a monstrous child killer in a Santa suit on the loose, Nick and his world will be changed forever this Christmas. By a tiny blue horse called Happy…”

The Feast: You all know Grant Morrison. You all know he’s good.

Milkman Murders

WRITTEN BY: Joe Casey
ART BY: Steve Parkerhouse
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $14.99

The Low Down: “The infamous 2005 mini-series returns in an all-new deluxe hardcover edition! The horror of suburban life explodes in an orgy of mythic violence — and mild-mannered housewife, Barbara Vale, finds herself at its dark epicenter! And when you meet her family, you’ll understand why. This slice of Americana is brought to you by the twisted minds of JOE CASEY and the legendary STEVE PARKHOUSE. If you missed it the first time around, this is your chance to finally join the Tupperware party! “

The Feast: While we all like our horror stories, once in a while there’s one that hits a little too close to home, and disturbs us a little more than we anticipated. Such is the case with Joe Casey’s “Milkman Murders”. It’s a deeply tragic story of a suburban family who hits rock bottom. An absolute must read if you want a glimpse into the real atrocities in our world.

I, Vampire #0

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Fialkov
ART BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2,99

The Low Down: “- Witness how Andrew Bennett became a vampire!
– Who was the monster that attacked him? How did his powers develop? And why is he the only vampire able to control his terrible hunger for blood?”

The Feast: Fialkov completely turned the tables with issue #12, and this #0 issue provides a nice break between protagonist changes. This is likely the last story that will be told from Andrew’s perspective, offering a nice close to the year on “I, Vampire”.

Justice League Dark #0

WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire
ART BY: Mikel Janin
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “- Find out what young John Constantine was like in the early days of The New 52, and meet the villain who plans to kill him and the entire team!”

The Feast: Lemire may have switched from “Frankenstein” to “Justice League Dark”, but he brings the same elements of dark fun for another team horror book. Lemire puts Constantine in the spotlight with issue #0.

Memorial Vol. 1 HC

WRITTEN BY: Chris Roberson
ART BY: Rich Ellis
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $24.99

The Low Down: “Memorial is the story of Em, a young woman who arrives at a hospital in Portland, Oregon, with no memory of her past. A year later, she has rebuilt her life, only to find her existence thrown into turmoil after she inherits a magical shop. Em is drawn into a supernatural conflict between beings that not only represent, but are fundamental elements of the universe itself.”

The Feast: Chris Roberson’s “Memorial” began only a few months prior to his departure from DC Comics. It’s really a testament of his ability to imagine huge worlds and puts him up there with writers like Joe Hill and Brian K. Vaughan. “Memorial” has the potential to be the next “Locke & Key” and I hope it finds the readership to allow Roberson to expand on Em and her adventures.

The New Deadwardians #7

WRITTEN BY: Dan Abnett
ART BY: I.N.J. Culbard
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Inspector Suttle prepares to close the Hinchcliffe Case, but the case seems to be closing in on him. Dark secrets that Suttle is in no way prepared for loom from the silence of the past, and he finds he can no longer trust anyone. Not even himself.”

The Feast: If you follow my 10 Comics to Feast On, you know how much I love this book. Abnett’s “The New Deadwardians” is the most original take on vampires and zombies I’ve read in the past ten years, and I read a lot of zombie stories. The book is almost at its end and Abnett has built up an intense mystery with no obvious resolution. I.N.J. Culbard’s art is refreshing and captures the feel of gothic England perfectly.

Mind MGMT #5

WRITTEN BY: Matt Kindt
ART BY: Matt Kindt
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The secret origin of MIND MGMT’s greatest agent concludes, with the revelation of his final days at the agency. A gifted psychic able to control the emotions of others, Henry Lyme fell apart when he began to fear that the love of his wife and the admiration of his peers were lies created by his abilities. And when so powerful a mind becomes unhinged, it wreaks terrible destruction on all around it!”

The Feast: Matt Kindt creates stories that dive so deep into the minds’ of the characters that it can be tough to keep up. But, if you can, it’s an unbelievably fulfilling experience. “Mind MGMT” has been rock solid since issue #1, and if you’re looking for a high-concept crime story, this is it.

Talon #0

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ART BY: Guillem March
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “- A new series featuring the Court of Owls’ unstoppable killing machine!
– Meet Calvin Rose, the only Talon ever to escape the grasp of the Court of Owls. This former assassin just wants to live a normal life…but that’s impossible, since he’s being hunted by his former masters!”

The Feast: Following the success of Snyder’s “Court of Owls” event, DC would have to be crazy not to capitalize on the hot new villains. While it may be a bit early to say The Owls will remain ingrained in the DCU for years, readers are loving them now, so let the good times roll. We’re hoping Snyder can turn this into another splendid series.

The post 10 Comics To Feast On: September 26 2012 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve all got to limit our reading list somehow. We present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up. If I’ve missed something you’re stoked about or if you’ve got any questions, list it in the comments.

Hellraiser #13
WRITTEN BY: Clive Barker and Mark Miller
ART BY: Stephen Thompson and Janusz Ordon
PUBLISHER: BOOM!
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Brand New Story Arc! Great Jumping-On Point For New Readers! Captain Elliott Spencer is no longer Pinhead. He gave his power away to his sworn enemy, walked away from his Cenobite disciples, and returned to Earth with nothing. He is no longer feared – merely pitied. Everyone will soon learn that the former Pinhead is more dangerous now than ever before! As Capt. Spencer begins working towards his ultimate goal, Kirsty Cotton fights to keep the denizens of hell under control. Can she truly count on her predecessor’s former flame, the Female Cenobite?”

The Feast: “Hellraiser” is the only book that has made our Comics to Feast On list every single week since issue #1. Clive Barker is doing some seriously groundbreaking work, bringing the terror and mystery back into the “Hellraiser” universe. If for some ungodly reason, you have not dipped your wick in this series, this is your chance as Barker kicks off a new, beginner-friendly, story arc. Pinhead may have left hell, but on Earth he proves to be just as devious and dangerous as ever. As he attempts to destroy humanity, Kirsty, the new head Cenobite, tries to keep all hell from breaking loose, literally.

Rebel Blood #2
WRITTEN BY: Alex Link and Riley Rossmo
ART BY: Riley Rossmo
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50

The Low Down: “A mysterious infection is sweeping the land turning animals and people into blood-crazed killers! The food supply is dwindling and you’re on the menu! How bad can things get? You’re about to find out!”

The Feast: Don’t want another zombie book? Too f*ckin bad because you’re getting one. Don’t worry, this isn’t a normal zombie story. Initially Image said they were staying away from zombie books after The Walking Dead. That is, until they read Rossmo and Link’s script. “Rebel Blood” is a frantic and disillusioned tale of an ex-fireman trying to survive in the wilderness where every man, beast, and creature is out for his blood. This book will give you the chills, and it’s an incredible showcase of what the comic book medium has to offer.

I, Vampire #8
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Hale Fialkov
ART BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “As the Justice League Dark team faces the end of all magic and perhaps life itself only one man can challenge the dark force known as Cain: Andrew Bennett. He’s back from the dead, but whose side is he on? Regardless of the answer, nothing will be the same for either series when “Rise of the Vampires” is over!”

The Feast: The vamp gone good storyline has been done to death, yet somehow Fialkov and Sorrentino make it seem like they’re the first ones to do it. “I Vampire” book began as a dark love story, but it has transformed into a sprawling epic that puts the horror into the DC Universe (enough to scare even the Batman). This issue marks the final chapter in the “Just League Dark” crossover, and it’s sure to shake things up for Andrew and the gang (maybe a little bit too much).

Justice League Dark #8
WRITTEN BY: Peter Milligan
ART BY: Mikel Janin
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “The crossover with I, VAMPIRE heats up as Zatanna and Shade stand alone against an army of single-minded vampires, with their most powerful teammates out of the action! Plus: Constantine and Deadman have gone to the ends of the earth and beyond in search of the only two powers who can put a stop to the bloody rise of Cain but what they bring back will change the face of sorcery forever! To be concluded in this month’s I, VAMPIRE #8!”

The Feast: This is a bittersweet ending, as this issue marks the final issue of Peter Milligan on “Justice League Dark”. He will be replaced next month by Jeff Lemire (which we couldn’t be more excited about). So far the team’s involvement in the “Vampire War” has been muddled and messy, but that’s because they’ve never functioned as a team to begin with. Nonetheless, it’s been a fun start for a team that DC definitely needs in order to divert some attention from their A-list heroes. If you haven’t been following and feel left out, just wait for next month when Lemire brings the goods and remodels the series.

Vampirella: Red Room #1
WRITTEN BY: Dan Brereton
ART BY: Jean Diaz
PUBLISHER: Dynamite
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Written by Dan Brereton (Nocturnals, The Last Battle, Punisher: Frankencastle, Red Sonja), Vampirella and a colorful, driven lawman track vampires on a blood-letting rampage through rural Arkansas to the Red Room, an underground circuit where high rollers stage mortals vs. monster death matches. She faces a host of fiends, quickly realizing more arcane forces drive the bouts and their frenzied combatants, enhanced with a powerful, corrupting essence, firmly stacking the odds against Vampirella surviving the night.”

The Feast: Who doesn’t love a sexy vampire babe fighting off all sorts of demons in a red string bikini that hardly covers her nips? That’s what I thought. Following in the vein of vampires gone good, Vampirella and her pal track down vamps to an underground crime ring to bust some heads. Dynamite has been pushing this series since they got the rights to it last year and it’s been nothing but good times since. Recommended for those who like their vampires busty.

Road Rage #3
WRITTEN BY: Chris Ryall, Richard Matheson
ART BY: Rafa Garres
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The focus turns to the inspiration behind Throttle, Richard Matheson’s classic tale of isolation and terror, Duel! See the story that inspired Steven Spielberg’s movie come to vivid life here, courtesy of adapter Chris Ryall and artist Rafa Garres!”

The Feast: With the first two issues under the rug, Ryall and Matheson kick “Road Rage” into a new gear, veering from the Stephen King story and going into “Duel”. “Duel” was the inspiration for one of Spielberg’s first films, which saw a businessman terrorized by a mysterious truck driver. It’s an abject, absurd, ridiculous story about the fear of being alone on the open road. Based on the first two books of this mini-series, this one looks damn good, and it’s a good place to jump on board.

The New Deadwardians #2
WRITTEN BY: Dan Abnett
ART BY: I.N.J. Culbard
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Someone is killing the dead! Inspector Suttle’s investigation continues as he pursues the identity of the victim and attempts to determine the method of murder. But he must work circumspectly, because the answers he is seeking are literally matters of life and death, and they will rock the very cornerstones of Deadwardian Society.”

The Feast: There’s nothing quite like the zombies, vampires, and murder mystery set in Victorian England. The last homicide detective in town, who happens to be a vampire, finds himself in trouble when a vampire corpse washes up on shore. “The New Deadwardians” is griping, original, funny, and it will transport you back to a world you probably don’t know much about. If you’re a fan of Gothic literature like Dracula, Frankenstein, or even Poe, we highly suggest you pick this one up.

Black Orchid Deluxe Edition
WRITTEN BY: Neil Gaiman
ART BY: Dave McKean
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $24.99

The Low Down: “Before introducing the modern version of The Sandman, Neil Gaiman wrote this dark tale that reinvented a strange DC Comics Super Hero in the Vertigo mold. Featuring spectacular painted art by Dave McKean, the 4-issue BLACK ORCHID miniseries is now collected in hardcover for the first time.

After being viciously murdered, Susan Linden is reborn as the Black Orchid, a hybrid of plant and human, destined to avenge her own death. Now, as this demigoddess attempts to reconcile human memory and botanical origins, she must untangle the webs of deception and secrets that led to her death. Beginning in the cold streets of a heartless metropolis and ending in the Amazon rainforest, this book takes the reader on a journey through secrets, suffering and self-rediscovery.”

The Feast: Before Gaiman and McKean brought us their fabled Sandman series, they worked on an odd superhero book called “Black Orchid”. Gaiman rarely works in comics anymore, so it’s always a treat to get reprinted editions of his masterful work. This is the first time this wonderfully dark tale has been collected and it’s great for new and old readers alike.

Wolverine #305
WRITTEN BY: Cullen Bunn
ART BY: Paul Pelletier
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “With matters cooling down after Wovlerine’s last battle, things seem to be getting better for the feral fighter. Undoubtedly, this won’t last for very long!”

The Feast: Cullen Bunn, the mastermind writer behind the multi-award winning western horror series, “The Sixth Gun”, steps in at Marvel to take over the ongoing “Wolverine” series. “Wolverine” has, is, and always will be everyone’s favorite X-Men, and his solo-series has been hit or miss recently. We’re hoping that Cullen Bunn will pick up some of the slack and bring this one up from the dust. A book that’s all about Wolvy should be nothing but hard, fast, and bad to the bone. We can’t wait to see what Bunn has in store for the most beloved mutant of all.

Crossed: Badlands #4
WRITTEN BY: Jamie Delano
ART BY: Leandro Rizzo and Jacen Burrows
PUBLISHER: Avatar
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Jamie Delano’s first foray into the Crossed universe has left a terrifying impression. This special 1500 copy limited edition first printing with a new “EC Homage” cover by Jacen Burrows.”

The Feast: Jamie Delano, the man behind “Hellblazer”, is stepping in for Garth Ennis for a new arc in the “Crossed: Badlands” series. Delano continues the madness in a world were a spreading plague turns people into bloodthirsty psychopaths who will stop at nothing to fulfill their most repulsive, violent, fantasies. We’ve got an interview coming up with Mr. Delano, so stay tuned for that later this week!

The post 10 Comics To Feast On: April 25 2012 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Hale Fialkov
ART BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: April 25

As the Justice League Dark team faces the end of all magic – and perhaps life itself – only one man can challenge the dark force known as Cain: Andrew Bennett. He’s back from the dead, but whose side is he on? Regardless of the answer, nothing will be the same for either series when “Rise of the Vampires” is over!

Note: Make sure to open the images in a new tab for the full effect.

The post Exclusive Preview: ‘I, Vampire’ #8 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Hale Fialkov
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
RELEASE: Feb 22

It’s a shock ending you won’t see coming! Guest star Batman grudgingly helps Andrew fight the Queen of Blood, who has taken over Gotham City with her army of vampires! But Mary’s going to lose something dear to her in the process!

The post Batman Kicks Some Vamp-Butt In ‘I, Vampire’ #6 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out, between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve got to limit our readings lists for the week somehow. We present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up. If I’ve missed something you’re stoked about, list it in the comments. Read on for the skinny…

WRITTEN BY: Brian Keene
ILLUSTRATED BY: Rod Espinosa and Joseph Wight
PUBLISHER: Antarctic Press
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Lost somewhere between Missouri and Iowa (after surviving the events of The Last Zombie: Inferno), the team stops to repair their vehicles and scavenge supplies. But they soon learn that they aren’t the only scavengers in town when a horde of ravenous, swarming rats attack the convoy!”

The Feast: Horror novelist extraordinaire, and one of the forerunners in undead literature, continues his zombie comic… set in a world where all the zombies are gone. Zombie’s aren’t anything new, and the horror community knows that more than anyone, but Brian Keene’s work is always a pleasure to read. We’re excited to see if he can take the played out undead plot and put spring some new life into it.

WRITTEN BY: Garth Ennis
ILLUSTRATED BY: Jacen Burrows
PUBLISHER: Avatar
PRICE: $0.40

The Low Down: “It’s time to infect the masses this C-Day! This special book is a stark introduction to the horrific world of the Crossed featuring the original #0 issue by Ennis and Burrows as well as teasers for all the trades and the new Badlands series! Available during Crossed C-Day events at your local comic book retailers you can see for yourself why there is no help. There is no hope. There is no escape. There are only the Crossed. Ask your store how to get a copy and celebrate C-Day with the rest of us psychopaths!”

The Feast: Garth Ennis’ Crossed is a favorite among BD readers, and for good reason. The story revolves around a plague that changes people into complete bloodthirsty psychopaths, and it’s one of the goriest books around. If you haven’t been reading this indie horror dream, C-Day serves as an intro to the series just before the new storyline, Badlands begins this March. It’s only $0.40!

WRITTEN BY: Angelo Tirotto
ILLUSTRATED BY: Richard Jordan
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Dee’s life is in turmoil when her parents are killed in a freak tornado. Returning to Kansas for the funeral after five years in LA, Dee discovers Emeraldsville is the same unexciting place it was when she left – until the bizarre unexplained murders begin. With an unknown killer closing in, the events of one night in 1959 begin to unravel as a portal to a world of horror opens, a portal paved with yellow bricks…”

The Feast: “Really, another play on Wizard of Oz,” you may be thinking. Yeah, but this ain’t your daddy’s version of Dorothy and her Dog. Image is bringing you a much darker version of Oz where blood and murder are a plenty. It’s always nice to see a play on a familiar text, especially when the creators turn one of the most innocent films into a complete monster.

WRITTEN BY: Josh Fialkov
ILLUSTRATED BY: Andres Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “It’s a shock ending you won’t see coming! Guest star Batman grudgingly helps Andrew fight the Queen of Blood, who has taken over Gotham City with her army of vampires! But Mary’s going to lose something dear to her in the process! Come see why the Internet is raving about this great new series that mixes Super Heroes and horror!”

The Feast: I, Vampire is now fully integrated into the DC Universe, and Andrew now teams up with the big old Bat to help in his war against the Queen of Blood. While this is very much a vampire story, it doesn’t read like one, and that’s a good thing. Plus, Sorrentino’s artwork really stands out among the New 52 as some of the best.

WRITTEN BY: Various
ILLUSTRATED BY: Various
PUBLISHER: Dark Hose
PRICE: $7.99

The Low Down: “Comics superstar Paul Pope returns to the pages of DHP, an assassin stalks her prey aboard the world’s largest pirate ship in Annala’s Blade, and Mike Mignola’s hard-boiled pulp hero Lobster Johnson blasts his way through more of the world’s most sinister evils!”

The Feast: As we’ve told you a million damn times already, Dark Horse Presents is awesome as shit. It offers an incredible variety of talent and a little peak into what Dark Horse has in store for the future. If you’ve got the extra dough, bag this one.

WRITTEN BY: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
ILLUSTRATED BY: Moritat and Phil Winslade
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Jonah Hex fights a giant bat to the death! But even with his winged foe slain, will he and Amadeus Arkham survive being trapped in a cave with the lost tribe of Miagani Indians? Hex and Arkham must enlist help including some familiar faces and some surprising saviors if they’re going to make it out of this death trap and bring justice to the enslaver of Gotham’s underprivileged children.”
The Feast: The Jonah Hex of the New 52 has been stellar. Taking place in old time Gotham city, Hex is made out to be the first Batman of sorts, only a little more badass. This month, Hex and Arkham try to get themselves out of that dark cave by fighting off a giant bat (some foreshadowing of events to come?). Gray and Palmiotti do a superb job of showing how things were before the Wayne’s arrived.

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATED BY: Rafael Albuquerque
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “A drag race to the death comes to a fiery end, a sworn enemy’s identity is finally revealed, and lots of blood is spilled. It’s 1955 in America and teenagers have gone wild and bloodthirsty in “Death Race” part 3!”

The Feast: Scott. Snyder.

WRITTEN BY: Peter Milligan
ILLUSTRATED BY: Mikel Janin
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Enchantress has been subdued, but this team of misfits hardly knows how to celebrate when each is still wrestling with their own demons. While Zatanna and Constantine try to decide on their next steps, Deadman deals with his loss, and Shade the Changing Man tries to bring Mindwarp back from the edge of sanity, but at what cost.”

The Feast: Things are getting off to a rather slow start for JLD, and Milligan is taking his sweet time forming the actual team. While we may have hoped to see the team form after an issue or two, that’s not the way it’s going, but somehow it works. With Lemire coming on board in a few issues, it just makes the series all the more rousing.

WRITTEN BY: Chuck Dixon
ILLUSTRATED BY: Rick Burchette, graham Nolan, and Tom Palmer
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $14.99

The Low Down: “The Dark Knight battles the powerful foe who once broke his back in this new, hard-hitting collection!

In these stories, reprinted from BATMAN/BANE and BATMAN: BANE OF THE DEMON #1-4, Bane is back — and he’s out to break Gotham City as he broke Batman. All he needs to get the job done is a few nuclear weapons! Guest-starring Ra’s al Ghul and Talia!”

The Feast: With the new Nolan/Bale film coming out this summer, fanboys will undoubtedly be looking for some source material to compare the film version to. DC is doing them all a favor by re-releasing some classic Bane stories, and really any Bat-fan should snatch this up in anticipation of the summer blockbuster.

WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender
ILLUSTRATED BY: Gabriel Hardman
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Who are The Descendants”

The Feast: It seems that Remender is at it again! Remender has a certain knack for putting together an unlikely team of heroes and making us love them more than our mothers. Venom enters into it this week, and if he remains a Secret Avenger, god help us all.

Something I missed? Sound off in the comments or let me know on twitter: Tweet to @BD_Lonmonster

The post 10 Comics To Feast On: Feb 22 2012 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

With the ever-increasing number of books coming out between the tie-ins, the crossovers, and the new series, we’ve got to limit our lists for the week somehow. Rather than cramming so many previews down your throat that you barely breathe, we present you with our ten most anticipated books of the week. So feast your eyes on these! Whether you’ve been into comics since you were a young’un, or you’re new to the game, we’re here to help you decide which books to pick up.

WRITTEN BY: Kurtis J. Wiebe
ILLUSTRATED BY: Riley Rossmo
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.59

The Low Down: “’LOST CHILDREN,’ Part Three After the horrific murder of one of Green Wake’s most elusive citizens, a new organization emerges in open rebellion against the followers of Micah. While the opposing sides clash, murders continue to surface with no suspect in sight.”

The Feast: Just do yourself a favor and read this book if you’re not already. From the story to the artwork, everything is top notch.

American Vampire Issue 22 Exclusive Preview

WRITTEN BY: Scott Snyder
ILLUSTRATED BY: Rafael Albuquerque
PUBLISHER: Vertigo
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Get ready – it’s hot rods, poodle skirts and rock ‘n’ roll as AMERICAN VAMPIRE goes screaming into the 1950s! Who is Travis Kidd? What do the mysterious Vassals want with him? And what does it all have to do with Skinner Sweet? Find out in “Death Race” part 1!”

The Feast: Snyder has been talking about this Elvis rockabilly vampire for quite some time now, and we finally get to see what all the excitement is about. Snyder has a certain affinity for old rock and roll music, and tying it into his vampire universe will, as always, should be a tasty treat.

WRITTEN BY: Brandon Seifert
ILLUSTRATED BY: Lukas Ketner
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “You wake up in a bathtub of ice with a surgical incision on your side… but the hospital says you’ve still got two kidneys! Where do you go for a second opinion? Where else but Dr. Vincent Morrow, the Witch Doctor! Summer’s medical horror smash hit returns with a tale of black magic and organ-swapping.”

The Feast: Thankfully, our fears have been quelled, and we haven’t seen the last of Witch Doctor! This is a tremendously ambitious piece of horror storytelling, and any fan of horror, whether new or old will love it. This is a perfect place to hop on board and see what the fuss is all about.

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Fialkov
ILLUSTRATED BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Straight from the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK comes John Constantine! Problem is, rather than help Andrew in his war against the Queen of Blood, Constantine figures it would make more sense to just wipe out all of the vampires, including Andrew!”

The Feast: The last week of the month is quickly becoming my favorite week for comics, and it is much in part due to Fialkov’s I, Vampire. Last month Fialkov finally hinted at how this series will tie into the rest of the DCnU, with a big bat-tastic finale. This month Andrew will finally run into some of the other “Dark” heroes, and this will be a seminal issue in the series.

WRITTEN BY: Peter Milligan
ILLUSTRATED BY: Mikel Janin
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “Madame Xanadu’s plan is working! Zatanna, John Constantine, Shade the Changing Man, Mindwarp and Deadman are all being brought together. But will Xanadu’s manipulations blow up in her face when she learns that Enchantress has grown too powerful to be controlled?”

The Feast: The JLD team is coming together slowly but surely, one piece at a time. While Milligan could have easily jumped right into it, setting out the formation of the team will prove to be instrumental as the series continues. This issue should finally bring the team together under the guidance of Xanadu, and seeing Deadman speak with Constantine is something I’ve been waiting to see for a long time.

WRITTEN BY: Steve Niles
ILLUSTRATED BY: Sam Keith
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Fright-master Steve Niles continues his all-new 30 DAYS OF NIGHT ongoing series, with warped genius Sam Kieth (creator of The Maxx) joining in the bloodletting! Our curious heroine is granted her greatest wish, but will it also be her last? Features an all-new cast of characters being introduced to the world of 30 DAYS OF NIGHT for the first time!”

The Feast: The series may be getting off to a slow start, but leave it to Steve Niles to bring this one to life. If you haven’t been reading this and you’re a fan of the original series, you’ll want to check it out.

WRITTEN BY: Kasra Ghanbari and Menton3
ILLUSTRATED BY: Menton3
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “Monocyte begins his death march towards the Olignostic city, fending off relentless attacks on his journey to destroy their immortality machinery. Meanwhile, a powerless Olignostic seizes on Monocyte’s appearance to acquire power. This issue features an incentive cover by the legendary Bill Sienkiewicz, and side stories by Eisner Award-winner George Pratt and Chris Newman.”

The Feast: I jumped the gun on this one last week, probably because I was so excited. Anything with Menton3’s name on it is worth picking up for the artwork alone. Without any of the usual horror creatures (zombies and vamps) this book is genuinely frightening and displays the hopeless fate of mankind’s bleak future. This is going to kick horror fans right in the balls.

WRITTEN BY: Warren Ellis
ILLUSTRATED BY: Alex Maleev
PUBLISHER: Marvel
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The Secret Avengers are all dead save for the Black Widow. The world’s greatest secret agent finds herself one year in the past, on the most secret mission of all: saving her team, and saving the world, without letting anyone see her… especially her team.”

The Feast: Anything with Ellis’ name on it doesn’t really need to be promoted. This is the best Avengers title available right now, and it’s not caught up in all the fray of the rest of the Marvel U. These little one and done issues are a great intro to the series and really display Ellis’ mastery of the medium.

WRITTEN BY: Geoff Johns
ILLUSTRATED BY: Ivan Reis
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

The Low Down: “There are parts of the ocean even Aquaman should not enter. Now Aquaman and Mera must descend into uncharted territory: the smoky black crevice at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean, home of the cannibalistic creatures known only as the Trench. One last secret behind these loathsome creatures will be revealed as “The Trench” thunders toward its bloodcurdling conclusion!”

The Feast: What dwells deep down in the ocean has become a fear of humanity ever since Lovecraft introduced the Cthulhu mythos to the literary world. While Johns does not seem to be directly influenced by Loveraft’s work, he is venturing into the realm of the horrors that lie in the unknown deep. As the concluding issue of the first Aquaman arc, this isn’t a book anyone should miss.

WRITTEN BY: Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
ILLUSTRATED BY: Moritat
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $3.99

The Low Down: “The trail of a missing child from a wealthy family leads Jonah Hex and Amadeus Arkham into the watery catacombs of Gotham City’s still-under-construction sewer system — but will they survive the many dangers that lurk in those twisty depths? Also: introducing the Barbary Ghost, a fireworks wielding mistress of vengeance, stalking San Francisco’s criminal underworld.”

The Feast: All Star Western has been riveting week after week combining great story, gritty action, and wonderful characters. I fear that this book will go largely unnoticed by the masses, which would be a damn shame. Don’t let the word “western” turn you off, this book is far beyond any single genre.

The post COMICS TO FEAST ON: December 28th 2011 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Fialkov
ILLUSTRATED BY: Andrea Sorrentino
PUBLISHER: DC Comics
PRICE: $2.99

“Across the country, bodies litter the streets as the Queen of Blood builds her army. A weakened Andrew must seek the aid of an old ally, but the game of death has a new wild card who may help Andrew tip the balance of power – or decapitate him.”

The story so far is quite complex, jumping across different timelines and character perspectives. Though it apparently takes place in the same DCU as books like Batman and Green Lantern, I, Vampire looks like some dissonant wasteland where vampires roam free. Mary, the Queen of the Vamps, preaches to a bunch of lowly vamps about taking over the world, while her former lover, Andrew, is doing all he can to stop her atrocious acts. Fialkov does a wonderful job of creating both hero and villain, but by far the most interesting thing about the book is how they act when they are together. This isn’t your typical good vs. evil book, it functions on a much deeper level showing the gray areas in between. Having the hero and villain as former lovers adds a sense of doom and gloom to the narrative that makes the story all the more compelling.

Fialkov’s storytelling is absolutely wondrous, but Andrea Sorrentino’s art skills are deserving of equal praise. Although at times the art looks much too similar to Jae Lee’s work, it’s undeniable that it’s some of the best of the New 52. He incorporates heavy shadows, dark emotional lighting, and gives special attention to gory detail that’s enough to leave any horror fan drooling. The artwork and story fit together seamlessly and it might be the best match of the “Dark” lineup if not the entire DC catalogue.

The only thing that irks me, and many others, about this title, as I stated above, is that I have no idea where it fits into the rest of the DC Universe. I, Vampire reads much more like a Vertigo title taking place in its own little world. Perhaps adding another Vamp story to the Vertigo line was too much stiff competition for Snyder’s American Vampire, and lord knows Fialkov could give him a run for his money. Fialkov has stated in interviews that it will indeed be incorporated into the rest of the Universe, but that much remains to be seen. When it does happen, I cannot even imagine how it will play out (probably a good thing).

Given the slow pacing and character setup of the first two issues, I’ve got a gut feeling that this one is going to knock our socks off. This is a deeply emotional story that really pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the last page. Though the vampire genre has been eternally tainted by Twilight teenyboppers, this creative team does a commendable job of showing the real issues of living an immortal life. If you’re willing to put up with a few more vampires in your life, then you can’t miss I, Vampire.

I, Vampire Drops Wednesday November 23 From DC Comics!

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I Vampire was originally conceived by writer J.M. DeMatteis and first appeared in House of Mystery during the early 1980s. The story began as a back-up feature, but quickly took over the entire book as the characters popularity skyrocketed with each issue. After an incredible 24 issue run in House of Mystery, the series fell dormant and remained there until now. The series follows vampire Andrew Bennett, who turned his lover, Mary Seward, into a vampire. Upon turning, Mary’s thirst for blood proved to be insatiable and set her on a path of destruction. Corrupt with power and drunk on blood, Mary took over leadership of the vampire nation and is now on a quest for world domination. Bennett must now take down his former lover before she destroys all of humanity.

Writer Joshua Hale Fialkov (Echoes, Tumor) and artist Andrea Sorrentino (Wildstorm’s God of War) have thankfully been given the green light by DC Comics to resurrect this dark tale of hard hitting horror and twisted romance. Fialkov jumped at the chance to chat with Bloody-Disgusting about the re-launch of I Vampire, how the title differs from popular modern day vampire fiction (Twilight, True Blood) and why he’s still committed to doing creator owned work, despite being recruited to write for the “Big Two”.

How did you get involved with the new 52 and how did you come to get involved with I Vampire?

I was approached by Editor Matt Idelson.  He and Wil Moss had been fans of my work, and with Echoes, I’d made a big enough splash that they got me through the front door.  I’m sure they regret it, because now I just won’t leave.  The best thing for me has been that I’m a huge fan of the House of Mystery and House of Secrets comics, so getting to work on I Vampire is just a dream come true, especially with Wil and Matt.
 
Give us a quick rundown of the plot for I Vampire…

Andrew Bennett was turned into a vampire five hundred years ago.  The first thing he did was turn his one true love, Mary, into a vampire, too.  While he stayed more or less himself, plus Dracula style super powers, Mary become evil incarnate, the literal Queen of Blood. So now, in modern day; they’ve made peace and the vampires are more or less living in hiding at Mary’s command.  And, she’s sick of it.  She wants the vampires to inherit the earth, and, obviously Andrew won’t let her.  And, by the way, they’re still completely in love with each other. It’s mean, gnarly hard horror with a big heart.  I’m so proud of the book, and really hope folks give it a chance.
 
Originally I Vampire was created by writer J.M. DeMatteis and published in the ’80s. What was it about the character that made it so appealing to revive for DC’s New 52 project and are you striving to make this book an extension of DeMatteis’ run or something completely new?

Look, I’m sure a good amount of it was Twilight and the stuff surrounding it, from a business stand point.  One of the most successful genres consistently across literature is Vampire Romance.  Now, that’s beside the point for me.  I had to find a way to tell a story that fits into that box, but also spills over it into the things that excite me.  I actually have a soft spot for romance, and I feel like there’s a big vacuum for great romance comics. Love is something that you can convey so wonderfully in comic form, and has such a rich history. So doing a book that combines the hard horror that I’m known for, with the heart and love that I feel are missing, is a challenge that I just thrive on. 
 
Vampires are very trendy at the moment with the success of shows like True Blood and the Twilight movies. What sets this book apart from your run of the mill vampire story?

I’m lucky to be good friends with the two preeminent vampire writers in comic books right now in Steve Niles and Scott Snyder.  I’ve also worked on a lot of vampire fiction like the Dark-Hunters manga and Vampirella, so, I’ve got a pretty good handle on a pretty wide range of vampire lit.  With this I wanted to really find an original place to stand, and I feel like our book has a really unique heart that you don’t see a lot in comic books. At the same time, I think this book features a lot of the action and fright that you don’t see a lot in romance novels.  I’m immensely proud of how it turned out.

Where does a book like I Vampire fit into the DC Comics universe or does it not fit in at all?
For me, I wanted to take the best parts of horror and romance fiction, and combine it with what makes DC comics great.  We have a huge canvas to paint on, we will we rub-up against other characters and books, which is a blast to write. I’m really being given the freedom to tell a huge story all on my own with all of these great toys to play with.  You’ll definitely see some huge DC characters in the book in the not too distant future.

How did Andrea Sorrentino come into the picture on this and what has he worked on prior to I Vampire?
Andrea was a find of editor Ben Abernathy way back when, and he’s been floating around the offices for a while. I think with I Vampire we found the book that’ll break him wide in the industry.  He’s got such a brilliant style, and he’s a work horse who is really just burning through pages. It’s been a huge blast. 

Despite having a new monthly for DC and working for Marvel on Iron Man, you also have a new creator owned series called Last of the Greats starting in October. What can you tell us about this series and how did it come together?

For me, I just wanted to do something big and epic. For years I’d been scared to do something like this for a bunch of reasons, most of them related to the market, but, I felt like now was the time. I think I have the right story with the right creative partner in Brent Peeples. The book is about a group of super beings who appeared on earth twenty years ago, fixed the earth in every way, and were then systematically murdered by us.  Well, when aliens show up to destroy the earth, we have nowhere to turn but to the last of these beings who fucking hates us for what we’ve done. It’s almost like a super-powered version of I Claudius. 

Was it a conscious decision to continue doing creator owned work despite getting work from DC and Marvel? There are a lot of writers/artists that never go back to creator owned work once they get mainstream work.

Man I love writing other people’s characters, but there’s nothing on earth like creating your own stuff.  I think if there’s ever a day that all of my books are owned by someone else, I’m clearly doing something wrong.  It’s like two separate jobs almost.  Working on your own books is rewarding in a lot of ways that working for publishers just isn’t, and while there’s certainly wonderful things about writing for hire, it just doesn’t hold a candle to having complete and utter creative control. If I decide I want to kill a character, I can.  If I decide that for the story, the main character needs to become a large potted plant for a few issues, I can.  If I decide that the book is over and should end, I can wrap it up.  That’s the joy of owning what you do.  

Echoes, the black and white horror series you did at Image Comics/Top Cow was just collected into a hardcover. What has been your reaction to the success of the series and
how satisfying is it to see this book collected into a deluxe format and were

It’s been terrific; the folks at Top Cow and Image really did an amazing job with the book and there’s not a single thing I’d change.  I’m just immensely proud of the work Rahsan and I did, and think the package does the material justice.  We all kill ourselves working on everything from our creator owned epics to those dinky little backups in superhero books to make the best books possible, and Echoes is one of those times where every push and pull and stretch was completely and utterly worth it. 

What can readers who have never read Echoes expect if they grab the hardcover edition?

Brutal suspense horror.  The book’s been called “horror noir” by a lot of folks, and that’s about the best description I can think of.  It’s hopefully terrifying to read, but it’s horror that comes from a visceral, real place, rather than from monsters or jump scares or any of that.  It’s what can happen to you, right now, at any moment. That, for me, is where real horror comes from.  Echoes follows a guy who could literally be you or me, who finds himself with a possible serial killer for a recently deceased dad. New murders start happening all around him and he makes all the wrong decisions that somebody in that situation would make.  It’s every moment of your life when things start to spiral out of control compressed into five issues of crazy, crazy horror fun.  I’m so proud of it, and I really hope more people check it out, especially off of the back of Echoes and Last of the Greats.

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