A couple of months ago, Sam came to me with an idea: a compilation of the best in horror comics every month. Naturally, I was game. Comics are a primary passion of mine, and when I first started spittin’ out words here at Shock, it was mostly about the horror comics scene. I even had something similar going on in those days, a weekly volume of this very name, which I had to shutter when I transitioned full time over at SuperHeroHype. Just because I don’t write about the titles as often as I’d like doesn’t mean I don’t still read them. Which brings us here: the newly revived Graveyard Shelf.
What’s the format of this thing going to be? I don’t know! I know that I’ll include slideshows of the best horror comic debuts and graphic novel collections at the end of every month, and perhaps some commentary on horror comics news at large. It’s an evolving process, we’ll figure it out together. So climb into the crypt and get scared.
Dark Horse to Comixology
Perhaps the biggest horror comics news is that Dark Horse Comics are now available for purchase on the digital comic platform Comixology. For the longest time, Dark Horse had their own digital comics reader and e-store, with none of the titles available for purchase on the Amazon owned service. Now you can enjoy everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Aliens to The Strain and the Creepy Archives. There’s also the entirety of Mike Mignola’s work including Hellboy, BPRD, Lobster Johnson, and my personal favorite, the Baltimore series. If you’re looking for a place to start go with that, or another favorite of mine, Eric Powell’s The Goon.
Doctor Strange
Though Marvel Comics is preparing to announce even more new books as they gear up for the All-New, All-Different Marvel later this year, one already officially confirmed is a brand new Doctor Strange series. Set to be written by Jason Aaron (Thor: God of Thunder, Southern Bastards) and featuring art by Chris Bachalo (Uncanny X-Men) the series will explore what it means for Stephen Strange to take on the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, in that every action he takes has a cost for its use.
I want to celebrate all the weirdness that is Doctor Strange, while having him face a challenge unlike anything hes ever faced before, Aaron says. One that rewrites the rule book for what it means to be the Sorcerer Supreme.
The series is set to kick off later this year.
Best Horror Comics of the Month
To close, here are some titles worth seeking out, ranging from brand speaking new first issues to collections of some of the finest comics in recent memory.
Let us know what you think of the Graveyard Shelf in the comments below; things you like, things you want to see more of, we’re all ears. Until next time, stay scared.
Graveyard Shelf June 2015
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #1
AGE OF REPTILES ANCIENT EGYPTIANS #1
Written and drawn by Ricardo Delgado, this text-free Dark Horse title is a must read for all dino-fans. Cataloging a typical day in Cretaceous Africa, it follows the routine of a Spinosaurus going about his day. Delgado's style is best described as sort of rouged up stained glass. Featuring an appropriate color scheme for the time, this is the sort of comic that makes the genre better simply by existing.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #2
AGE OF ULTRON VS MARVEL ZOMBIES #1
Marvel Comics is currently in the midst of their line-wide Secret Wars event, and within are several monster themed books. Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies takes place at the edge of “Battleworld,” a patchwork planet filled with alternate Marvel universes and centers on the continuous conflict between the robotic forces of Ultron and the undead denizens of the Marvel U, with some unlucky humans caught in the crossfire. Writer James Robinson's story is interesting enough to maintain your attention, but All-New Invaders artist Steve Pugh's pencils are the reason to seek this out.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #3
ALIEN VS PREDATOR FIRE & STONE TPB
One of the defining chapters of the “Fire & Stone” saga, Alien vs. Predator is barrel of fun. Writer Christopher Sebela spins a yarn of brutal and intense conflict with little room for chitchat— this is an Aliens vs Predator story after all. Ariel Olivetti also delivers some intense design work, bringing to life new visions of the classic monsters that can only exist in the pages of comics. There's also E. M. Gist's flawless covers.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #4
BODIES, TPB
A century spanning mystery by Si Spencer travels across time and space to piece together the parts of a murder. Featuring art by four different artists, one for each point in time showcased, Tula Lotay, Meghan Hetrick, Phil Winslade, and Dean Ormston bring their a-game. As trippy as it is engaging, not for the faint of heart, but a fun ride.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #5
CONSTANTINE THE HELLBLAZER #1
Not to be outdone, DC Comics have also begun brand new series to catch the eyes of readers. Among those is yet another relaunch of Constantine, this one however is fit to wear the name. Co-writers Ming Doyle & James Tynion are crafting a narrative that fits the title of everyone's favorite magic swindler, and one that pays homage to the decades of previous canon. Riley Rossmo's art is the primary selling point on this one though. Perhaps a little more refined than his work on the underrated Rebel Blood, but still very much of his frenetic style.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #6
DOCTOR FATE #1
Another of DC's new books is a brand new take on Doctor Fate, which sees a new character taking on the helmet of fate. Paul Levitz' story, featuring art by Sonny Liew, fits perfectly into the window of where we find modern comics: no longer imitating the predecessor, but blazing new paths. New readers might have questions after reading this debut issue, but it brings enough to the table that a second helping is in order.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #7
EMPTY ZONE #1
Written and drawn by Jason Shawn Alexander, Empty Zone is dystopian tech noir with a flair of ghosts and mechanical hybrids. Just when you think you've got it figured out, it takes a quick right turn into new ground. It'll leave you guessing and your eyes won't want to look away from the gorgeous art.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #8
EVIL DEAD 2: BEYOND DEAD BY DAWN #1
There have been a lot of Evil Dead and Army of Darkness comics over the years, but this one is perhaps most noteworthy simply because it exists. Beyond Dead By Dawn is a direct sequel to Sam Raimi's 1987 classic, albeit not focusing on everyone's go-to hero, but Annie Knowby as she fights off the hordes of hell. Written by Frank Hannah with art by Barnaby Bagenda and Oscar Bazaldua, the series is worth seeking out by fans because of the crazy new territory it goes after.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #9
GHOST RACERS #1
Each of Marvel's Secret Wars comics are rather unique, but Ghost Racers might take the cake. Written by Felipe Smith and featuring the art of Juan Gedeon, the series takes five different Ghost Riders and puts them in a Mario Kart-in-hell scenario. A fun read for fans of the demonic rider, and a nice slice-of-life on Battleworld for curious readers.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #10
GHOSTED VOLUME 4
The final arc of one of my favorite horror comics, Ghosted is Ocean's 11 meets Ghostbusters with a healthy sprinkle of Poltergeist. Collecting the last five issues of the series, it's a cap off to a great run, as short lived as it might be. The entire series is worth reading, and since it's all closed up, there's no better time to get cracking.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #11
MARVEL ZOMBIES #1
No time to fight off the robots of Ultron, this new series is all zombies all the time. Simon Spurrier's tale is a near-perfect introduction to new readers for one of my favorite monster hunters, Elsa Bloodstone, as she protects the world from the brain-hungry hordes that were once heroes and villains. Kev Walker's art really captures the nastiness of a rotting corpse too, with an attention to detail that will force readers to squint to catch every single torn vein.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #12
MRS DEADPOOL AND HOWLING COMMANDOS #1
The final Marvel horror title that began with Secret Wars is a fun goofball ride. Combining the monster lot of the Marvel U with the likes of Man-Thing, Werewolf by Night, The Living Mummy, and Marcus, The Centaur Werewolf Symbiote Warrior, it takes everything you like about old Creature Commandos comics and spins it into the twisted realm of Battleworld. Deadpool scribe Gerry Duggan and aritst Salvador Espin are creating a Halloween story to remember.
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Graveyard Shelf June 2015 #13
WYTCHES VOLUME 1
Collecting the first six issues of the genius Scott Snyder/Jock series, Wytches is among the scariest horror comics I've ever read. With impressive artwork, and a hair-raising narrative, you can pledge yourself to its brilliance at a cheap cost now, before it rockets off with volume two.
