Creepy Presents Richard Corben

I wish I had discovered Creepy Magazine when I was a kid.  However, I am enjoying the editions they are publishing now that feature a particular artist.  This time Creepy is all about Richard Corben.

Richard’s style reminds me of Tales from the Crypt.  His image is a little like the Crypt Keeper so maybe that’s why.

Creepy Presents Richard Corben is a collection of short comics from one page inserts to several page stories.  Prepare to be amazed by his trivia and shocked into quiet contemplation as he points out the stupidity that seems to be the primary motivation for humans. 

The art is mostly black and white but that doesn’t leave the images dark like some B&W comics.  It has an older feel to it like images from Vincent Price movies. 

Severed by Scott Snyder

A good creepy tale about a young man who wants to find his real father.  Jack discovered he was adopted and decides to run away.  His dream is to be a fiddle player and travel with his father.  However, what he finds is a predator that feeds on children’s dreams.

Set in the early part of the 20^th century, Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft have put together a tale that will leave you breathless.  It’s frightening in ways that you don’t expect.  The monster is not overly original but the tale will still cause your heart to pound.

Not only does Jack have to deal with this man who wants to eat him for dinner, he’s battling those who would stop at nothing to take everything from him.  It’s a dirty and tough time.  Monsters lurk in the shadows and look a lot like humans.  Jack is far too innocent to be on this adventure and it’s hard to watch that be stripped away from him.

The art is fairly basic – nothing overly dynamic but it also doesn’t distract from the story line.  It moves smoothly from page to page carrying the reader away.

Enter, Night by Michael Rowe

This is a hard review to write. I loved the story. I do have an ARC which means there were some technical errors that I hope are resolved before publishing. With that in mind, I want to focus on the story.
The story was amazing. The language a little tough for me because the author is Canadian and I am not. Michael Rowe is a native English speaker but there was some language that left me puzzled but may not be difficult for a Canadian. However, I loved the story.
This is an ensemble cast making it difficult to give a clear synopsis. In 1952, an archeological dig in Parr’s Landing goes wrong when student, Richard Weal, goes mad and attacks another student. Years later, he returns to Parr’s Landing to finish what he started and that is to wake the being hidden deep in the caves. At the same time, widow Christina is forced to return to Parr’s Landing with her daughter and brother-in-law. Her departure from the small town was not a pleasant one. The town knows the gossip but they don’t understand the truth. Her late husband Jack Parr was the prince to Adeline Parr’s kingdom. Christina will always be known as the slut who drove him from home.
Jeremy Parr escape happened later after his mother tried to have him cured of his homosexuality. His first love remains in Parr’s Landing but has been convinced that it is better to be a heterosexual asshole than a happy homosexual.
Richard Weal is successful in his mission and unleashes an ancient vampire on the small town, destroying everything in its path and yet freeing those held captive by Parr’s Landing.
Take away the vampires and Enter, Night is still a wonderful and touching story. There are so many elements in this book from various prejudices (sexuality, race, class) to family relations to a touching tale of a love and the sacrifices that brings (human and animal).
The story sucked me in but I was left unfulfilled when it was over. The last chapter goes back to 1650 to explain how the creature came to Parr’s Landing and was confined in the caves. It was still interesting but I wanted to stay in the more present day (of the story) to find out what happened. There was some wrap up but not enough for my taste. I only hope this means Michael Rowe is writing a sequel because I would like that.
Visit the author at www.michaelrowefiction.com

Dark Eden by Patrick Carmen

This was an interesting book. I'm familiar with Patrick Carmen's work and it was nice to see something darker but what made it interesting is that you can choose to read the book or experience the book through a multimedia app found here. The first chapter is free but I found I preferred the flow of the book.
The story follows Will Besting as he attends Fort Eden, a camp to cure him and six others of their fear. It's a good concept and just experiencing Will's part made for an entertaining read. However, more is going on at Fort Eden and even though I had some guesses - I was wrong and there were surprises I didn't see coming. I give Patrick Carmen kudos for that.
This is a young adult book with young adult themes but it's an enjoyable adult read. I'm not sure how this would go as a movie but I'd be willing to see that. It's a great book for most ages. It's dark but not overly scary so a young or sensitive reader would do well with it. There is some slight romance but nothing beyond hand holding and the occasional kiss.
I like how the chapters focus on each of the characters and their cures. At the end, there seems to be several epilogues but they don't detract from the story.

The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

The copy of this book that I received was an unedited galley so I won't talk about any errors I found since they may not exist in the finished book.
This wasn't the best writing I have ever read but the story kept me enthralled until I reached the end. I could barely put this book down.
The story follows Abigail Tamper as she uncovers why her mother is haunting the house that they both worked in. Every little clue led to another until Abigail discovers that everything she knew as truth was a lie.
This book is Young Adult and quite simply written so that the younger audience can easily read it. The story is set in the mid-1800's so the behavior is modest (there is an unplanned pregnancy and an affair but no real talk about sex).
The ghost is somewhat frightening but the suspense is what pulled at me. I couldn't wait to read what was going to happen next.

Echoes by Joshua Hale Fialkov

I just don't know where to begin with this graphic novel. It's wonderful and frightening.
Echoes is the story of a man who goes crazy and the disappearance of a little girl. It's possible he did it or that he knows who did it. Filled with hallucinations and odd memories, we follow his path, never knowing what the truth is.
It's such a simple story but I think it's one that will stay with me a long time. You root for the main character and yet are horrified that you might be rooting for a monster.
It's confusing and wonderful. I have a bit of a hard time with black and white art just because my eyes have some problems but this one wasn't as difficult as others have been. The art is soft and disturbing.
I, almost, want to see it as a movie because it could be a great one but then I hate to ruin the integrity of what Joshua Hale Fialkov has done.
If you like horror, pick this one up. If you like a good thriller. It's not violent or graphic but it is frightening.

Horns by Joe Hill

It's gotten to the point that if the book is written by Joe Hill I'm going to read it regardless of the plot. I didn't really look to see what this book was about when I picked it up and was surprised by the wonderful concept that is this book. It sounds like a horror novel but plays out more like a thriller.
It's been a year since Ig Perrish's girlfriend, Merrin, was mudered. He was supposed to go to London for work but ended up staying behind as the number one suspect in her murder. His life is ruined and everyone secretly believes he did it. After going to the murder site and getting drunk, Ig wakes up with horns growing out of his head. He quickly discovers that the horns come with a particularly irritating power that encourages people to tell him their darkest secrets and ask his permission to sin.
It doesn't take long before he discovers that no one really believed he was innocent and blames him for ruining their lives. It, also, doesn't take long for him to discover what really happened that night.
The book covers just a couple days but steps back in time often to inform the reader of key events that led up to the morning of the horns.
Ig believes he is becoming a demon and begins to question God and religion. There are so many twists and turns as he discovers that he may have been the only person in his life that didn't have secrets.
Joe Hill builds up the suspense but leaves the reader with such a sweet and touching ending that you almost forget what led up to it. Great book for lovers of thrillers, horror and even those who like to ponder religious beliefs.
I can't wait for the next Joe Hill book to come to the library. I think he is going to give his dad (Stephen King) a run for the title of King of the Novels.