Ghosted: Vol. 1 Haunted Heist Graphic Novel review

Ghosted: Vol. 1 Haunted Heist Graphic Novel review

The splash page for Ghosted #1 immediately catches the reader’s attention through the sheer brutality of the scene. The main character of Ghosted, Jackson Winters, appears to be on the path to becoming just another prison statistic when he is broken out of prison by a very attractive blonde woman who starts a prison riot. Markus Schrecken, a rich collector of paranormal antiquities, deems Jackson’s skill as a criminal mastermind to be useful for his desire to acquire a ghost from a haunted mansion—an element that adds purpose and a new direction to the story. As the assembled ghost-hunting team explores the creepy mansion, the demonic entities within reveal themselves with deadly consequences. After Jackson learns the truth about the mansion, he uses this truth to save his life. He bribes the psychic medium on the team, setting into motion a plan only he could concoct and carry out to fruition. In the end, the moral of this ghost story is the basic rule of karma—what goes around may just come back around to haunt you...to death. Fans of the films Ocean’s Eleven, Ghostbusters and The Shining will be sure to enjoy Ghosted.

Special Thanks to Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice newspaper.

Southern Bastards Graphic Novel review

Southern Bastards Graphic Novel review

Southern Bastards is a bastardized, violent version of the classic movie, Walking Tall. Walking Tall turned up to 11. The story is set in a small southern town in Craw County, Alabama. The town is run with an iron fist by local BBQ restauranteur and high school football coach, Euless Boss. Coach Boss calls all the shots in this hick town along with his gang of ragtag Runnin' Rebs football players. The Runnin' Rebs keep the peace through intimidation and the threat of violence. An familiar face returns to Craw County Alabama and on his first visit back into town Earl Tubb runs into a lifer named Dusty. Dusty has a pair of eyes that are as red as the sun, it's not demonstrated why this is so the reader is forced to draw their own conclusion as to why Dusty's eyes are beet red, which makes you wonder... Dusty has a beef with Coach Boss so Earl decides to be a stand up guy and help out his old friend Dusty with the problem. This is where the story takes on a new and violent turn. Earl tries to destroy his past by chopping down a old tree, instead he finds a new beginning that coincides with a supernatural message from beyond his father's grave. The colors are dark matching the grittiness of the story but the color palette turns red when tempers rise and the violence begins. Earl Tubb, the towns latest rebel rouser, goes head to head with Coach Boss in a violent battle with the entire town watching on. The final battle that ensues is very graphic and the story concludes with a bittersweet ending.  

Special Thanks goes out to Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice newspaper.