The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft #1 of 4

Writer: Mac Carter
Artist: Tony Salmons
Cover: Adam Byrne
Publisher: Image Comics
Published: April 2009

Taking authors and making them into a character within their own universe is fairly common these days. It has its pros and cons. If you're a big fan of the writer and familiar with their works, then its a match made in heaven. However, it can be infuriating because outsiders won't be able to pick up on all the nuances. Luckily for the creators of this comic, Lovecraft created such a rich and wonderful world, outsiders don't need to know every little detail to enjoy the story. For example, you don't necessarily need to know what the Necronomicon is, but just to know that it leads to bad stuff suffices. Which, by the way, it usually always does.


The Strange Adventures of HP Lovecraft opens with the origins of the Necronomicon. We are then introduced to the writer HP Lovecraft, who is struggling with writers block. After an unfortunate revelation regarding his love interest, Lovecraft is attacked by a couple sailors. Too bad for them, Lovecraft is the "key and the guardian of the gate." This statement doesn't make much sense on its own, but when the Necronomicon mystically pronounces you're the "key and the guardian of the gate," that's usually always bad.


I'm a big fan of Lovecraftian monsters. One of the reasons I love them is because of the visual possibilities they inspire. Lovecraftian monsters usually defy human comprehension, are huge, epic, impose madness, and destructive. Take for instance the scene in Hellboy where Hellboy releases the monsters from their prison, or the scene in the Mist when Tom Jayne's character is driving by towering monsters - awesome.

Breaking Into Comics - The MARVEL Way # 2

Writers: Various

Artists: Various

Publisher: Marvel

Published: May 2010

This comic was a great way to introduce fans to some up-and-coming talent in the Marvel U. Breaking Into Comics is a showcase for new talent, who describe their experiences on getting hired by Marvel as well penning/illustrating some great stories. This particular issue has 5 tales, centred around a choice selection of Marvels characters: The Fantastic Four, Thor, The New Mutants, Psylocke, and Deadpool.

Of particular note was the New Mutant tale illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta. The story is dark, very disturbing, and all grown up for a bunch of teenage muties. Hernandez Walta delivers top notch artwork. His work is foreboding, menacing, and deliberate. Just beautiful. After reading the tale, I couldn't get it out of my mind. It has such force.

The remainder of tales are great as well. With these folks propelling Marvel Foward, I'd say DC has their work cut out for them...then again DC has got Batman and Grant Morrison...

Here's a collage of some images from Breaking Into Comics:

WildC.A.T.S X-Men: The Modern Age 3D

Writer: James Robinson
Artist/Inker: Adam Hughes/Mark Farmer
Colorists: Joe Chiodo & Martin Jimenez
3D Conversion: Ray Zone
Publisher: Marvel
Published: November 1997

This was the comic that I found for $0.25 that had the long sought after 3D glasses. I just got to reading it. The story is decent. The X-Men and the Wildcats folk infiltrate a rogue Hellfire sect. The leader of the Hellfire sect is trying to summon the power of a demon to work for him. However, the X-Men and Wildcats put a quick stop to that. Not more complicated than that.

The 3D effects are good too. The issue is devised by adding a red and blue tint, which allows the reader (with the help of the glasses) to see a three dimensional image. Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D does this same thing, but instead of using the red and blue channels, they use twin projectors which create the same effect. It's pretty frickin' cool! This leads to a crystal clear image with eye poppin' visuals! Go see it!!!

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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Pigeons From Hell

Dork #11

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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TMNT #42

Superman gets engaged!