The Crow Book One

Writer/Artist: James O'Barr
Publisher: Caliber
Published: 1989

March 31 1993 Brandon Lee died on the set of The Crow.

This unfortunate accident is another note of sadness added to the comic. The Crow is an exploration of pain, guilt, tragedy, gravity, anger, destruction...pure emotion. James O'Barr's fiancee was killed by a drunk driver, and in response to the pain of her death, he wrote this over the course of several years, and each page is a burned line of his torment.

The Crow is about a man named Eric returned to life to exact vengeance on the killers of his fiancee Shelly. Book one is the first of four parts, whereupon Eric, painted and pained, begins his horrible journey into revenge and memory.

Years ago me and some close friends went to Seattle. There we visited Brandon Lee and Bruce Lee's graves. One Brando Lee's tombstone this is etched:

"Because we don't know when we will die, we get to think life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens a certain number of times, and very a small number, really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon that's so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it! Perhaps four or five times more. Perhaps not even that. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps twenty and yet it all seems limitless."

This quote was during an interview on set of the Crow.

Heavy Metal September 2008

Writers/Artists: Felix Vega, Matt Wilson, Nathan Fox, Various
Publisher: Heavy Metal
Published: September 2008

Heavy Metal. Did you know Heavy Metal is owned and edited by Kevin Eastman? If you're wondering who Kevin Eastman is, think walking talking ninja turtles. Anyhoo, Heavy Metal is a collection of different stories aimed at a mature audience, ie. the stories often have graphic violence and nudity.

2008 September's issue has an artist I have been keeping my eye on: Nathan Fox. His run on Pigeons from Hell was pretty cool, so I picked up this issue. His tale is called Fluorescent Black and is written by Matt Wilson. The story is a bio-sci-fi-punk story where genetics rule the day. Check the vid as Fox explains it better than me.


Another story inside the issue involves Vincent. The Vincent. Van Gogh. It's bit of bizarre tale that explores an alternate view of why he lost his ear. Written and drawn by Felix Vega, it's a pretty cool ride.


If your not sure what he is holding, head to your local library (or Wikipedia) and read up on this remarkable artist!


Ok, that's it, I'm done with tentacles in comics (for now). I had planned to integrate some pics of tentacles in film, but I can't be bothered now, so I'll just post 'em.

Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs
Oldboy

The Goon # 19

Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
Publisher: Dark Horse
Published: July 2007

One more tentacle issue after this and I think I'm tentacled out.

The Goon is just an awesome comic. I think I've said this before. Powell is about the only artist that I know of who can pull of pages of just Goon hitting things. Issue 19 has Goon taking on a new menace spawned by the Zombie Priest. This new beast has taken some from Goon, but you'll never guess what. Hint: it ain't the love of his life. Or is it?

Oh and this issue has this guy. Watch it, he's a biter:

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Fantastic Four # 565: Don't Eat Valeria!

Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Marvel
Published: March 2009

Ok, the FF take on a giant tentacle monster. The kids are at risk, and the townsfolk besieged by the monster are not what they seem. Nuff said.

Epic Illustrated # 22: Marada the She-Wolf in 'Wizard's Masque'

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Bolton
Publisher: Marvel
Published: February 1984

Epic was a relatively short lived magazine published by Marvel. It allowed Marvel to avoid the Comics Code and create stories of a more mature theme. Issue # 22 has a number of stories, but it also has Marada the She-Wolf battling the most dreaded of monsters: the tentacled Gyatria. While sleeping, Marada's companion Arianrhod attempts to create a portal to whisk herself home. Unfortunately for her she opens door that lets things pass that should not pass.


Marada attacks the beast, only to be dragged to the spaces in between spaces. (Ugh, I can't believe I just wrote that!)

The beast transports Marada to what appears to be a land right out of Arabian Nights. It is here that she befriends Taric Redhand (who just so happens to cop a feel during a battle.)
But don't worry folks, he gets his just reward for such an indiscretion!


Before his untimely death, he advised Marada to seek out Jaffar the Wizard:




Too bad for Marada though.

Just goes to show: Can't never trust a wizard named Jaffar.




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Hellboy: Seed of Destruction # 2

Writers: Mike Mignola, John Byrne
Artist: Mike Mignola
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: April 1994

Mike Mignola is the King of Lovecraftin' horror comics. Hellboy is the shiznit that hands out justice with his red right hand. Issue # 2 has Hellboy, Abe and Liz deepening their investigation into the frogman murders. They visit Lady Cavendish's place, where Rasputin finally makes his presence known. He advises Hellboy of some disturbing facts, but before Hellboy can digest these new developments, a giant monster bursts forth from below! Can you guess what kind?!


Is the end of Hellboy? Probably not, but if you want to find out for sure, head to your nearest comic shop - NOW! Or this will happen to ya:

Mnemovore # 4

Writer: Hans Rodionoff, Ray Fawkes
Artists: Mike Huddleston, Jeremy Cox
Publisher: Vertigo
Published: September 2005

According to Rue Morgue, this is "the must read horror comic of 2005." After reading this issue, I can see why Morgue thinks this to be true. It's a freaky read. Just to give a glimpse into the world of Mnemovore, there is this weird tentacle thingy going around killing things, or at least warping peoples sense of reality. Check some scans. This is some freak shit! Just goes to show that of monsters, the tentacle monster is still the scariest...that and spiders...which isn't too far off...

Jungle Girl S2 # 2

Writer: Frank Cho, Doug Murray
Artist: Frank Cho, Adriano Batista, Frank Martin
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Published: December 2008

Ladies Night # 5

So continuing on my comics with tentacle monsters, and this week lacking a comic dedicated to a female lead, I couldn't help but find a comic with both elements. Thus we have Jungle Girl! As all folks know, Frank Cho is the latest in a long line of pin-up artists, who has successfully fused cheesecake with action packed stories. On Jungle Girl Frank Cho provides stories with plot and cover, with Murray and Batista filling in the rest.

Issue # 2 has Jana (Jungle Girl) and crew boarding a submarine, only to be stalked by the seas most horredous monster: A GIANT TENTACLE BEASTIE!




But Jana ain't afraid of no beast!


Too bad it's bigger than she is!



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The Goon # 6: iLagarto Hombre!

Writer/Artist: Eric Powell
Colorists: Eric Powell, Robin Powell, Shaynne Corbett, Barry Gregory
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: April 2004

Ahh...the Goon. What a great comic! Today's issue brings Powell's interpretation of that oh so famous tentacle beast. After a rift in time and space opens, depositing the said beast in Goon's territory, it makes it's way to town. Powell can't help but remark: "How original. An ugly thing with tentacles. Why it can't be something interesting like a monster made out of breasts?"


Good question. Definitely worth pondering over....


Moving along, the beast attacks the town where it gets the royal Goon treatment. The issue ends...well you'd never expect how. Here's a snapshot to get the ol'brain bubbling:

Doctor Strange: The Oath # 4 of 5

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist/Colorist: Marcos Martin/Javier Rodriguez
Publisher: Marvel
Published: March 2007

If you've been reading my blog the last few days, I've been devoting my entries to focus on monsters that have tentacles. I'm not sure what it is, but it seems that monsters with tentacles are very freaky. Not as bad as spiders, but freaky nonetheless.

Issue # 4 of The Oath has Dr. Strange furthering his quest to find a cure for his assistant Wong. Night Nurse is along for the ride, keeping her eye on both Dr. Strange and Wong. Unfortunately for the trio, the Marrakant Hellguard has invaded New York and destroyed Night Nurses hospice. This beast has defeated all previous Sorcerers Supreme that it has fought, but today he's gonna learn a lesson from a New York Sorcerer Supreme!


Probably the best line of the issue is when Night Nurse storms the Hellguard, only to be whisked away by it. Dr. Strange remarks: "This is why I never joined the Avengers." (Jokes on him!! wink nod.)


The issue ends with Dr. Strange confronting his shadow nemesis - you won't believe who it is!