H.P. Lovecraft's Haunt of Horror # 1 of 3

Writer/Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: Marvel
Published: August 2008

Marvel's Haunt of Horror centered on HP Lovecraft is equal, if not better, than their last limited series focusing on Edgar Allan Poe. (Of course that all depends on your preferred story teller). Corben really sinks his teeth into Lovecrafts method of madness and delivers a great read with great art.

Issue one has 3 tales: 'Dagon,' 'The Scar,' (after Lovecraft's 'The Recognition') and 'A Memory.' Dagon has a man on the brink of madness who won't let Them get him, at all costs. The Scar is a boy attempting to face a great fear, or else someone will die. Finally, A Memory, is a tale of revenge throughout the ages. Check some scans!!

Solo # 2: Richard Corben

Writers: Richard Corben, John Arcudi
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: DC
Published: February 2005

The second issue of Solo follows up the stellar opening by Sale. This issue has Richard Corben, the Master of the Grotesque, strutting his stuff. There are five tales, four as stand alone stories set outside the DC universe, and one concerning the Spectre.

The first four tales are classic Corben stuff, violence, forbidden treasures, and things never appearing as they are. The first tale has an imminent archaeologist in search of a forbidden treasure. He is met by a beautiful local, who warns him not to seek the treasure. By this time, bandits raid her home, knock the archaeologist out, and force her to lead them to the treasure...too bad for them, she's a mummy who ends up killing them. Suckas! As for the archaeologist, he wakes up and runs to the treasure room, only to have the door close behind him, trapping him forever. So as you can see, no happy endings here, and just desserts delivered courtesy of Corben.

The last tale about Spectre is a great read. It has Jim Corrigan (the human host to THE WRATH OF GOD - THE SPECTRE), following up a tip from a dead man as to the whereabouts of a killer. The dead man hopes his act of kindness will earn him a spot in Heaven, and The Spectre will get to enforce justice - holy style! Another spectacular issue from a spectacular series!

Edgar Allan Poe's Haunt of Horror # 1 of 3

Writers: Richard Corben, Rich Margopoulos
Artist: Richard Corben
Publisher: Marvel
Published: July 2006

All things Poe! Or Poe 4 Life! Poe or Die - no?

Marvel's limited edition series inspired by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe is a nice addition to the world of comic horror. And Richard Corben, helming this series is the perfect candidate to bring a new perspective. The artwork he delivers is gorgeous and grotesque, and his take on the Poe stories is both true to the original and uniquely fresh.

Three of Poe's tales are present in this issue: The Raven, The Sleeper, and The Conqueror Worm. After the comic adaptation, the original poem is printed. The Raven is true to form, with our 'hero' tormented by the Raven, only this time Corben shows a visual depiction of a possible past and reason for his descent into madness. The Sleeper tale follows a Priest as he battles it out with some ghouls. The Conqueror Worm maintains it's theme of never ending despair, but it is now set in a futuristic world where food and prosperity is a scarce resource. The worms bring life to the citizens of one city, but the cost is humans are food for the worms. YUM!

With Poe stories having been around for almost 200 years, it is a great that these type of series are being created. By adding and subtracting to the original works and presenting them in a different medium, Poe is reinvented/refreshed and kept in the lime light - where greats such as he belong.


2 DAYS TO HALLOWEEN!