Monstress by Marjorie Liu graphic novel review

Monstress by Marjorie Liu
Graphic novel review by Joe Tell 
Published by Artvoice Magazine in the Graphic Traffic column
Sponsored by Queen City Bookstore

I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After Graphic Novel Review

I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After

Skottie Young (Author and Illustrator)
Image Comics (Publisher)

Review by Joe Tell

I Hate Fairyland: Madly Ever After marks the return of popular Marvel Comics cover artist Skottie Young, an Eisner Award-winning artist who earned the award in 2011 for his work on The Marvelous Land Of Oz. His work on the Guardians of the Galaxy superhero Rocket Raccoon gained him much critical acclaim. Don’t be fooled by his previous work on the L. Frank Baum Oz books; the hilariously violent I Hate Fairyland is not recommended for children. The series is rated M for Mature audiences and is definitely not a bedtime story for the kiddies. I Hate Fairyland follows the violently vile misadventures of Gert, a grown-up girl trapped in a 6-year-old’s body, as she attempts to escape the magically insane world of Fairyland. Fairyland is a sick and twisted world “filled with wonder, magic, laughter and joy.” Join in on all the mayhem as the extremely bitter Gert wields a rather large battle-axe on her blood-soaked journey through Fairyland, where she meets up with a low-life fly named Larry (Larrigan Wentsworth III) and Queen Cloudia, the ruler of all Fairyland. A bevy of devious, balls-to-the-wall characters like the Slug Lords, Mushroom Men, Zombie Fauns and some demented Barbarians keep things interesting for Gert. Regurgitating elements from the classic children’s stories of “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz,” Skottie Young presents a uniquely twisted tale of dark humor. Skottie takes everything sweet and beautiful and turns it all upside down and inside out. The art is spectacular and brilliantly colored by Jean-Francois Beaulieu. I Hate Fairyland: Madly Ever After is very well-written and will leave you excited for the next volume.

Rick and Morty: Vol. 1 Graphic Novel Review

Rick and Morty: Volume 1
Zac Gorman (Author)
C.J. Cannon and Marc Ellerby (Illustrators)
Oni Press (Publisher)

Review by Joe Tell

Rick and Morty: Volume One is based on the funny and entertaining [adult swim] show “Rick and Morty.” Created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, the adult animated science fiction sitcom show is popular enough to merit its own comic book series. If you read this graphic novel and have never seen an episode of the show, you will be interested in watching it. The series, which draws inspiration from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and “Doctor Who,” is illustrated with a cartoon style that is heavily influenced by “The Simpsons.” Rick and Morty combines all of the best qualities of classic sci-fi and the movie “Back to the Future” to create a whimsical and unique black comedy. The characterization stays true to the show, and the edgy narrative combines warmth and intelligence with a youthful energy. Join the excitement as depraved genius Rick Sanchez embarks on cool adventures with his socially awkward grandson Morty across the universe and across time. The pair explores the beauty of the multiverse in wacky, fun-filled exploits, splitting their time between family life and interdimensional hijinks. Morty’s shaky family life and his escapades with his alcoholic grandfather combine to cause a great deal of distress at home and school. Also caught in the crossfire of Rick’s adventures are his daughter Beth, a veterinary surgeon; his teenage granddaughter Summer; and his Jerry, his useless son-in-law. There are even some cameos from other characters like Bird Person, Squanchy and Meeseeks. This collection includes the first five issues of the comic book series; after reading, you will be left wanting more. A special bonus section continues the hilarity, showcasing the entire family.

Deadpool: Dead Presidents Graphic Novel review by Joe Tell

Thank you Artvoice and Queen City Bookstore!

Death Of Wolverine Graphic Novel Review

Death Of Wolverine

Charles Soule (Author)
Steve McNiven (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics (Publisher)

Review By Joe Tell

After reading the title of this Marvel masterpiece, you may find yourself asking, as I did: How can this be? Wolverine is immortal and he simply cannot die. As a precursor to reading Death of Wolverine, I found out that an intelligent Microverse virus had infected Logan and is able to turn off his accelerated healing factor. Wolverine becomes mortal and is now able to be killed. Being a man of action, Wolverine seeks out the help of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) to restore his precious healing factor. After Reed suggests a lengthy rest period while he works on a cure, Logan declines. Instead, he decides to do what he does best. He tackles the horde of enemies and army of assassins that are after him, dealing with them on his own terms. After brutally beating Daredevil’s old foe, Nuke, within an inch of his life, Wolverine learns who has put the hit out on him. He decides to pay a visit to the Viper, who wants him brought to her alive. Logan cooks up a plan to use one of Iron Man’s helmets as a decoy to gain entry into the deadly Viper’s lair. After a violent battle with the Viper’s slave, Sabretooth, concludes with Wolverine suffering a mortal wound, fellow X-Man Kitty Pryde and longtime enemy Lady Deathstrike come to Wolverine’s rescue. A final showdown between Wolverine and his creator results in Logan sacrificing himself so that no one else suffers the same fate as he has. BONUS: Death of Wolverine also includes a revealing inside look at Wolverine from Len Wein, who helped create the Adamantium-laced mutant in 1974.

Future Imperfect: Warzones Graphic Novel Review

Future Imperfect: Warzones!

By Peter David (Author)
Greg Land (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics (Publisher)

Review By Joe Tell

Welcome to the future, where the Incredible Hulk seeks to rule a patchwork planet that is called Battleworld. The Incredible Hulk, having evolved over time into the tyrannical Maestro, rules over a domain called Dystopia with a gamma ray-infused iron fist. Seeking to squash any threat to his authority, the brilliant and cunning Maestro infiltrates the secret hideaway of the rebels who, led by Ruby Summers, wish to end his emerald reign of terror. The Maestro’s first appearance in this Secret Wars tie-in is brilliantly executed by artist Greg Land in a fantastic two-page spread. This is where all of the action begins as a great battle between the incredibly strong Maestro and Ruby Summers ensues. Sure to please any rabid Marvel fans, the Thing appears and joins the fray in an attempt to defeat the maniacal Maestro. The conflict concludes in a meeting of the minds between the Thing and the Maestro, with the two deciding to team up against a common enemy, the diabolical Doctor Doom. With the help of the rebels the Maestro plans to use the legendary Asgardian suit of armor called the Destroyer against the mighty Doctor Doom. A challenging and treacherous journey over land and sea begins in an effort to find where the enchanted armor is kept. The journey leads the motley crew to the domain of Norseheim, where a violent battle erupts between Ulik, the ruler of Norseheim, and the Maestro. After gaining access to the Destroyer armor, a battle for the ages begins between Doctor Doom and the Maestro. Future Imperfect is a must-have for any true Marvel comics fan.

Wolf: Blood and Magic Vol. 1 Graphic Novel Review

Wolf Vol. 1: Blood and Magic
Ales Kot (Author)
Matt Taylor (Artist)
Image Comics (Publisher)
Review by Joe Tell

Wolf Vol. 1 Blood and Magic uses the city of Los Angeles as a backdrop for a reality-bending tale about a paranormal investigator. The story follows Antoine Wolfe as he assumes responsibility for an orphaned, teenaged girl who might be the key to preventing an impending apocalypse. Alongside the concrete jungle, Wolf also uses the beautiful scenery of the mountains, hills and woods of Los Angeles to great effect. Wolf combines the best elements of urban fantasy and crime noir to tell a supernatural story. The narrative explores the dark, maniacal things that lurk in the shadows. Things we all know exist but choose to ignore out of fear and loathing. The first panel uses the myth of singer, songwriter Robert Johnson and his famous song Hellhound On My Trial to set the tone of the narrative, the main character is shown singing the line while on fire. Wolf is chock full of many scary characters like vampires, a werewolf, ghosts’ and there’s even a reference to H. P. Lovecraft ‘s Cthulhu. Author Ales Kot is part of a new wave of talented writers that are injecting new, philosophical blood into mainstream American comics. His recent work includes Marvel’s Bucky Barnes and Secret Avengers. Artist Matt Taylor uses weird imagery straight out of nightmares to invoke feelings of horror and terror. Matt’s playful, yet very effective, line drawings are deformed but still manage to look clear and defined. Colorist Lee Loughridge uses psychedelic colors to further enhance the mood of the art. Lee is best known for his work on Hellblazer. The story also touches upon themes such as racism, prison-industrial complex, suicide and menstruation.

The Alluring Art Of Margaret Brundage: Queen Of Pulp Pin-Up Art Book Review

The Alluring Art of Margaret Brundage: Queen of Pulp Pin-Up Art is a very entertaining and interesting read. The book sheds new light on the life and career of legendary Weird Tales cover artist, Margaret Brundage. Margaret’s lush and alluring paintings created great controversy in the 1930s. Her lavishly colored artwork featured scantily clad young women bearing whips and wielding knives that were menaced by all types of monstrous beings. Margaret’s innovative and shocking artwork was in high demand because her covers sold the most pulp magazines. The best part of this book is all of Margaret’s stunning, pulp magazine cover art for Weird Tales, Oriental Stories, Magic Carpet and Golden Fleece are all compiled together along with some never before seen, unpublished work. Many of her covers featured gothic fetish themes based on the stories that were published within Weird Tales. Stories that were written by renowned authors like H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Robert Bloch and Conan the Barbarian creator, Robert E. Howard. The second part of the book reveals, for the first time ever, the secret life that Margaret led apart from the pulp magazine scene. She and her husband Slim were political activists who took part in the birth of the American counterculture. Margaret Johnson and Slim Brundage first met at Chicago’s infamous Dil Pickle Club. The club was known as a speakeasy but its members also participated in the highly political causes that defined the Chicago Renaissance. The Dil Pickle Club was at the center of a diverse subculture that encouraged free speech and rallied for workers and civil rights at a time when activism led to blacklisting. This is essential reading for any fan of fantasy and horror art.

Chrononauts Graphic Novel Review

Chrononauts is about two scientific geniuses who love to have fun. Their latest project involves time travel. The team becomes instant celebrities as they are slated to embark on the first televised mission through space and time. Corbin Quinn and Danny Reilly act like rock stars and are treated as such by the adoring public. They love breaking new ground and the attention that comes with it. The characters act out the human desire to do great things and be remembered for it. Will they use their knowledge to benefit mankind? Or, will they take advantage of the opportunity to benefit their own lives? All is not well as the planned routine goes off course. Corbin gets lost in the time-space continuum and Danny insists on bringing him back safely. Initially, Corbin decides to leave his unhappy life behind and take full advantage of all the opportunities that time traveling offers. The duo wreaks havoc with the time stream as they jump from Ancient Rome to the 1980s music scene at their leisure. In the end, the duo decides to undo all the historical changes they have made and fix everything that’s wrong with their lives. If you are a fan of Sean Murphy’s artwork on Punk Rock Jesus or The Wake, you will love this book. His work is seamless as it bounces from periods of the past to people watching historical sequences on live TV. Many of the highly detailed panels are dialogue-free, leaving the art to tell the story. Fans of classic science-fiction time-travel stories, the Back to the Future and Indiana Jones franchises, or the film Armageddon will love this book.

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

Hawkeye Rio Bravo Graphic Novel Review

Clint Barton, the hero known as Hawkeye, was originally introduced way back in 1964 as a reluctant villain in a battle with Iron Man. Since then, Hawkeye has been a team player in six different versions of the Avengers; signed on as an agent of SHIELD, Marvel’s top intelligence agency; and led a team of heroes called the Thunderbolts. Until recently, Hawkeye was always a secondary character to Marvel’s big guns; indeed, he even shed his Hawkeye persona in the late 1960s, succeeding Hank Pym as Goliath. The recent popularity of the Avengers-related films and the comic book team of Matt Fraction and David Aja have sparked new interest in the character, making Hawkeye more popular than ever. Aja’s gritty art and coloring by Matt Hollingsworth reflect the bleakness of the inner city, creating a perfect background for the story. Hawkeye: Rio Bravo focuses on Hawkeye’s origin and his personal life away from the Avengers. The narrative follows Clint Barton as he takes on a highly relatable “every-man” role as a superintendent of low-income tenement building. The issue also highlights Clint’s reunion with his brother, Barney, as they team up to protect the tenants from a Polish assassin named Kazu and his gang of Russian mobsters, who plan to vacate the building by any means necessary. Hawkeye is deafened and Barney—also known as Trick Shot—winds up in a wheelchair as a result of Kazu’s initial attack. However, their heroic resolve isn’t lessened by such setbacks; the brothers are brought closer together as they sign and work through Clint’s hearing loss. The final issue delivers plenty of action and unexpected surprises. Hawkeye: Rio Bravo is full of humor, action and heartfelt emotion, making the series a must-read for any serious Marvel fan.

Thank You to Artvoice Newspaper and Queen City Bookstore.

Wytches Graphic Novel Review

Do not read Wytches if you plan on going camping soon! Wytches invokes terror and suspense, using a mysterious, well-balanced narrative to incorporate many of our most basic fears into the story. The natural fear of being all alone in the woods at night is used to tell a dark, horror tale. Forget about the Wicked Witch of the West: Wytches delivers a new and scarier witch, shattering all the classic notions we all have of an evil woman riding on a broomstick. The wytches of the story are frightening, disfigured creatures who live in the trees just outside of our bedroom windows. Wytches also uses losing a child—any parent’s worst nightmare—to add heartfelt emotion to the story. The tale is told through the eyes of the Rook family, highlighting a troubled relationship between father and daughter. The Rooks are a tight family unit that has recently relocated. Unfortunately, they go from the frying pan into the fire. The female lead, Sailor, is very likable and it’s easy to see her as your own child. The story also explores wish fulfillment and the secret desires we all keep hidden inside. The wytches can grant any wish as long as you’re willing to “pledge” another human to them, leaving no one safe from their evil grasp. How far would you go to make your darkest dreams a reality? Wytches is the scariest graphic novel you will read this year. You’ll want to look away, but the story will draw you in, making it impossible. Turn the lights on, lock your doors and don’t dare look outside—the wytches are coming.

Special thanks to Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice Newspaper.

Sex: The Summer Of Hard Graphic Novel Review

Did you ever wonder how Bruce Wayne would spend his free time if he gave up being the Caped Crusader? The narrative contained within the pages of Sex explores the extraordinary life of an ex-super hero called the Armored Saint. Now that billionaire playboy, Simon Cooke has decided to give up his alter-ego we find out that Simon is not mentally prepared for his new way of life. He has trouble dealing with women, co-workers and friends. His biggest problem is dealing with the pressures of being the CEO of his own company. The physical activity Simon is privy to is shown in explicit detail and is mature in subject matter. Just like Batman has Catwoman to contend with, the Armored Saint had a cat-like female foe called the Shadow Lynx. The tumultuous relationship between the two former foes heats up after they run into each other at a high-society sex club. The story also follows the heroes former villains as they run rampant in Saturn City. The evil Old Man takes a hostage and after torturing him throws his body into a river. The Prank Addict has problems adjusting to life without his prime protagonist and is living in the past. The Alpha brothers try to capitalize on the absence of their adversary but they run into a small problem. The Armored Saints’ former sidekick has decided to stay in the crime fighting game. The martial arts expert hacks into the Alpha Brothers database and is messing with their cash flow from the inside. Sex is an interesting psychological drama that exposes an often overlooked part of the superhero genre.

Special thanks to Artvoice Newspaper and Queen City Bookstore.

Graveyard Shift Graphic Novel Review

Image Comics has served up Graveyard Shift, a modern, sexy twist on the vampire legend. Copperhead writer Jay Faerber and veteran artist Fran Bueno have teamed up once again after their run on Noble Causes proved to be a great success. Faerber and Bueno have come full circle with Graveyard Shift, which the creative duo crafted way back in 2007, predating the “Twilight” movies and the True Blood TV series. While Faerber acknowledges the fact “that vampires are a bit played out,” he also admits that he has “always been fascinated by them.” Any way you slice it, this book proves to be well worth the wait. The contrast created by the artistic mix of light and dark shadows proves to be very effective. The dramatic narrative is a unique mix of crime, horror and undying romance. The story is centered on a homicide detective named Liam and his blonde fiancee, Hope. All of the vampire blood takes a back seat to the love the young couple have for each other. The interaction between the young couple and how they learn to deal with the fact that Hope is now an undead vampire makes this book a real page-turner. After Hope succumbs to her first bout of blood lust, Liam is taken aback by her lack of a pulse and the way the blood meal makes her act like she’s drunk. The allure of a great vampire story has proven to be timeless, and Graveyard Shift capitalizes on this fact. Fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, The Lost Boys, Salem’s Lot and The Night Stalker will find Graveyard Shift hard to resist.

Special thanks to Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice Newspaper.

Spread: Vol. 1 No Hope Graphic Novel review

Spread rhymes with red and dead and those words are a big part of what makes Spread so grossly enthralling. Plenty of bloody, red gore and violent, horrific killing. It's not all slice and dice, all of the bleeding is supported by a great, post apocalyptic, narrative. The title of Volume One is interesting because it uses the names of the two characters names that are on the cover, No and Hope. No, who looks like Wolverine, is a loner who is immune to the Spread virus. No becomes Hopes caretaker after he rescues the baby from a band of wayward thugs. There is a big problem though, No has no way of feeding Hope and this is where Crazy Molly comes in. After No rescues the enslaved Crazy Molly, she feeds Hope with her breast milk. There is a great scene in the book in which the reader finds out just how important Hope and Crazy Molly are to the storyline. Five minions of the Spread are eradicated with Hope's super vomit. Hope's bodily fluids destroy the Spread and the baby becomes a savior to the living and a target for the Spread. The art of Kyle Strahm draws the reader in with it's mind blowing, gruesome horror. Every page displays murder in a new way and at least 1 droplet of blood, you want to look away but you can't. The Spread is a huge creature that comes in many shapes and sizes. It stalks humanity seeking new victims to infect in it's quest to take over the planet. Once infected a human being becomes a shape shifting, servant of the vile organism. Fan's of 80's slasher flicks will love Spread.

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

WinterWorld Graphic Novel Review

Winterworld Graphic Novel review

Winterworld is a frozen, sci-fi thriller that was initially released in the late 80's. Jorge Zaffino’s art is stunning, creating expressions with movie-like detail and precision. IDW compiles this masterpiece along with the never-before-published sequel, WinterSea, for the first time. Winterworld is full of seedy characters that are willing to do anything to survive on a world that has been frozen over a new ice age. The main character, Scully, is a good guy under his tough-as-nails exterior. Scully immediately reminded me of Robert Redford upon first glance. The desperate new way of life is violently demonstrated by a life and death struggle between Scully and an unruly band of traders that look like frozen zombies. Scully’s life is saved by his pet wolverine, Rahrah, and a young girl named Wynn. The new threesome become slaves and they are marched into a heated baseball stadium called The Farm. An army of armed men have converted the ballpark into a hidden paradise full of fresh fruit and vegetables. The men capture any outside of their domain and enslave them to work the huge farm. Scully’s nomadic life has found new purpose as he focuses on rescuing his friend, Gwynn, from The Farm. After siding with the warlord Bigbite, a chief that looks like Prince Vultan from Flash Gordon, Scully plans a raid of The Farm with Bigbite and his men. Scully reunites with Wynn and they manage to escape the melee as the epic battle for The Farm begins. WinterSea proves to be well worth the wait, as the story closes in the same brutal and suspenseful style as the original series.

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

Ministry Of Space Graphic Novel Review

Ministry of Space is a fascinating graphic novel that documents an alternate/what if? history following World War II. Warren Ellis delivers some of his best work with an excellent, conceptual story that resembles The Right Stuff. His inclusion of Winston Churchill and Dr. Wernher von Braun adds a sense of realism to this jolly good piece of historical fiction. The seamless blending of fact and fiction results in a narrative that is highly believable and realistic. The artwork of Chris Weston is beautifully intricate and highly convincing, so much so that you may believe his rockets and space ships actually exist. The coloring of Laura Martin is so vivid and realistic that the images jump off the pages. The Nazi V-2 rocket bomb and a British version of the United States secret project, Operation Paperclip, are used as a starting point to kick off a bloody good story about the post-war space race. The story is told through the eyes of a ruthless, egotistical pilot who lacks basic moral values. His life is consumed with a patriotic ambition to bring the British Empire back to its former glory. No expense is spared and nothing is considered sacred in the name of King and Country. British pioneering advances include launching the first manned spacecraft, building several operative space stations, landing on the moon in 1960, building a base on Mars in 1969 and even landing on Saturn. All of this groundbreaking innovation is funded by a black budget that is cloaked in mystery until the very end of the story. Ministry of Space is an imaginative page-turner that any history buff will have a hard time putting down.

Special thanks to Artvoice Newspaper and Queen City Bookstore.

Outcast: A Darkness Surrounds Him Graphic Novel Review

Outcast is Robert Kirkman’s followup to The Walking Dead, the popular comic book that was turned into a hit TV series. Kirkman admits that with Outcast, he wanted to create a series that “is way scarier” than The Walking Dead. Indeed, Outcast is filled with plenty of senses-shattering scares. The story begins as the insatiable hunger and unspeakable horror of demonic possession rears its ugly head. Kyle Barnes, the main character of Outcast, spends his time dealing with demons. Kyle is a loner who leads a desperate life as he seeks answers as to why demons have been haunting him his entire life. Several horrific flashbacks reveal that many members of his immediate family were all possessed. A priest, who recognizes Kyle’s supernatural power, calls on the anti-hero to help with the exorcism of a young boy. Paul Azaceta’s art is very dark and atmospheric, setting the stage for the subject matter. Kyle’s skill as an exorcist involves bloody violence as he literally beats the hell out of the demonically possessed to rid them of their inner evil. Even though Kyle has a record of being a violent offender, the local police force enlist Kyle’s help after a former policemen kills his wife and shows signs of possession. Every possessed person Kyle comes in contact with recognizes him and a plan to take Kyle out of the picture seems to be taking shape as the story progresses. You can’t argue with success, and Cinemax has decided to produce a TV series based on Outcast. If you’re asking yourself whether or not Outcast is that good, the answer is yes, it is. Fans of The Exorcist will love Outcast.

Special thanks to Queen City Bookstore and Artvoice Newspaper.

Trees, Vol. 1 Graphic Novel review

Trees, Vol. 1 Graphic Novel review

Trees is a science fiction story based on chaos and the fear of the unknown. In desperation as a bunch of criminals flee a futuristic police force in Rio de Janeiro. A tree interrupts the chase, spewing green slime, resulting in massive death and destruction. The story begins ten years after the trees landed on earth. The presence of the trees creates a global atmosphere of unpredictable, semi-controlled chaos. The trees are giant, stem-like space ships that do not emit any sound or move, just like an earth-bound tree. The story is told from several points of view, as all of the characters deal with the constant tension of the controlled chaos in their own special way. In arctic Norway, a team of scientists discovers a deadly new side effect the trees are having on the world. The most interesting location is Shu, China, which was built around the trees and walled off from the rest of the world. In this walled-off city, now a special cultural zone which allows a young transgendered female and her friends the freedom they desire. Since the premise of the story is like no other, Warren Ellis has free reign to create a great read full of unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader interested from the very first panel.

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

Clone: First Generation Graphic Novel Review

Clone is a mystery in duplicity. The narrative is action-packed and the pacing of the book is fast and frantic. Clones are constantly interacting with each other with deadly violence, so much so that it’s hard to keep track of which clone is killing which. All the violence is the result of a top-secret government experiment that has been undermined by Facebook—yes, that Facebook. The art by Juan Jose Ryp is highly detailed, using black shading and bright highlights. The art adds a dark realism to the book, helping to tell the story. Deadly gunplay between a pair of clones starts the story, setting a violent tone for the rest of the read. The clones are in kill-or-be-killed mode in the never-ending quest to be the original gen-1 clone. The public exposure of the clones controversy sets up even more murderous government corruption, resulting in some brutally violent scenes in the book. The last issue ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the reader wanting more. A top contender for the original is brought in front of, what just may be, his father after he attempts to rescue his wife from the government. Clone makes for an exciting, fast-paced read.

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

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.