New Comics: May 29, 2013

BY DAVID BERCK

This is an awesome week! There are plenty of different flavors of comics being released, covering horror, sci-fi, super heroes, alternative genres, and even a good ol' heist-related story. Lots to read and so little time to do it, so let's get to it!

AMIGO COMICS
Westwood Witches #1 (Of 4)
So there’s this guy who writes paranormal romance novels about witches. It’s a lucrative market right now, after all. Problems begin to happen when Jack Kurtzberg develops writer’s block and decides to move back to his hometown. That doesn’t sound so bad, right? The real problem is that his new neighbors are witches of the not-so-nice demon worshipping variety. Hilarity Chaos ensues. The cover is occulty and bloody. This bears checking out.

New comics: May 22, 2013

 BY DAVID BERCK

The last couple of weeks were slow without a ton of new releases. Sure, there were enough to keep people happy, but we all still want more, more, MOAR, right? Things definitely pick up again this week with definite endings and lots of beginnings. We've got some pure entertainment, like Akaneiro from Dark Horse and Half Past Dark from IDW. Let's not forget a brand new superhero for the modern age in Image's newest release, Bounce! If you're into non-political comics that support populist movements, there's also something new for you this week with Occupy Comics!

Then there are the bittersweet double endings of three Green Lantern titles all dealing with the conclusion of "The Wrath of the First Lantern" story arc as well as the departure of writers from all three series. It's a mishmash and a hodgepodge of really cool stuff, so let's get to what's in the spotlight for May 22, 2013!

Free Comic Book Day sneak peek: 'Walking Dead,' 'Superman,' 'Star Wars'

And, lo! did the comic book industry declare a high holy day in an effort to introduce new people to comic books and increase their sales. The powers that be agreed there should be such a day each year, and soFree Comic Book Day was born!

This year, Free Comic Book Day falls on Saturday, May 4 (yes, the same day as May The Fourth/Star Wars Day; the geek planets have aligned) and even Hugh Jackman is excited about it.



The more cynical of people would probably expect just a few low quality issues to be released for free, but that would be far from the truth. Even though these comics will not cost the consumer anything, the output is usually pretty good and, ultimately, enjoyable. The industry hopes they'll be able to get their hooks into you and entice you into buying at least one or two titles on a regular basis, then increase your need for a comic goodness fix! Yes, there are plenty of super hero themed comics available for this event, but the really nice thing is the number of titles that are kid friendly. One might even say kids are the ones being targeted most of all, because, after all, they are the future. For the kids, check out titles like Sesame Street/Strawberry Shortcake, The Smurfs and Spongebob to see what I mean...

Paranormal Pop Comics Oct. 17

BY ERIN WOLF

Halloween is just around the corner and if you’re looking for a few comics titles that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, then you’ve come to the right place. Zenescope takes on a reimagining of the story of the headless horseman in "Sleepy Hollow" #1, Oni Press has little Courtney Crumrin on the run from some very scary cloaked individuals while Womanthology presents the mysteries and perils of space exploration and Marvel reboots the whole dang universe in "Marvel Now! Point One." All this and more in this week’s jam packed pre-Halloween spooktacular Paranormal Pop Comics Rundown:

Sleepy Hollow #1 – Pick of the Week!
Zenescope
Created and Story by Joe Brusha, Ralph Tedesco, Raven Gregory; Written by Dan Wickline; Art by AC Osorio and Chandran Ponnusamy

The creators of the popular Grimm’s Fairy Tales series are at it again. It was only a matter of time until Zenescope, a company who is well known for revamping children’s stories into adult comic books, covered the haunting "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Wickline wastes not a moment getting to the gory good stuff as the book opens with a beheading flashback sequence before he even introduces protagonist and all around nice guy, Craig Marsters. Craig is a student aid with the world at his fingertips, that is, until he gets mixed up with wrong crowd and a silly prank goes horribly wrong. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I think somebody is going to lose their head…

Paranormal Pop Comics Sept. 26

BY ERIN WOLF

It is a survival of the supernatural fittest this week as Pearl the Lady Vampire goes rogue into the desert, Ozymandias meets his mental match at a cocktail party and Sara Pezzini figures out mid-flight whether or not she can work her Witchblade wings in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comic rundown:

American Vampire #31 – Pick of the week!
Vertigo
Written by Scott Snyder; Art and Cover Art by Rafael Albuquerque

Still reeling from her scandalous Skinner Sweet indiscretion, Pearl tries to make it up to her dying mortal husband with a few tender kisses and an adorable scrap book. But, the attempt at a reunion between the two lovers is quickly interrupted when new intel is discovered about movement from the enemy's cult of no good, very bad Vampires. As Skinner is about to drive off into the night to knock another name off the blacklist, Pearl pleads with him to wait for her to which he retorts with a vicious tongue lashing even Tina Turner would admit was a bit harsh. Determined to stop Boch for good on her own, Pearl goes back to the drawing board and finds a new clue that leads her to a creepy prop lot out in the middle of the desert. I guess even Tinseltown needs a spot to store its tinsel, too bad it’s being occupied by a bunch of blood sucking Vamps.

Paranormal Pop Comics Sept. 12

BY ERIN WOLF

School is back in session and already telekinetic wonderkid Peter Stanchek has a demerit, the Lord of Nightmares has gone train hopping in his sleep and the Hoax Hunters are mixing their metaphors. But don't worry, old school Batman has returned to bring us back to the basics in this week's Paranormal Pop Comics Rundown:

Harbinger #4 – Pick of the week!
Valiant
Written by Joshua D. M. Dysart; Art by Khari Evans, Lewis LaRosa
Peter Stanchek is having trouble in school. Only at his school, instead of Math and English, Peter and his fellow psionics practice telepathy and psychokinesis in order to learn how to control and hone their special abilities. The founder of the Harbinger Foundation, Toyo Harada, is desperate to lead Peter, who is by far more powerful than the other students, down a road where his abilities would best be utilized under careful guidance. The only thing Harada didn’t seem to plan for was the moodiness and rebellious nature of a disgruntled adolescent and boy, is Peter Stanchek one temperamental teen. In accepting Peter into his school, has Harada created an esteemed super-protégé or a dangerous enemy? I predict we will soon discover in the next issue of "Harbinger" that the line between Valedictorian and Evil Overlord is a very thin one.

Paranormal Pop Comics Aug. 31

BY ERIN WOLF

Sexy Vampire Skinner Sweet and his “Jason Bournette” protégé Pearl knock a few more names off the bad Vampire Blacklist as Keyhouse has a bloody tea party for hoodlums and Silhouette almost gets herself killed trying to save a kid, all this plus an all-new Superman identity crisis in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comic Rundown.

Pick of the Week

American Vampire #30
Vertigo, Written by Scott Snyder; Art and Cover Art by Rafael Albuquerque
There is nothing quite so haunting as a an old vinyl record playing the romantic serenade of a dying man’s love to his forever young vampire wife. Full of heartache, Pearl must abandon her wrinkly and near-death soulmate in order to finish assassinating Vampires off the blacklist with her dubious partner in crime Skinner Sweet. Nobody said love was easy but denying the charms of Skinner the blonde super-vamp after a particularly bloody kill is even harder. I just hope Henry has good insurance to keep him alive long enough until Pearl comes back from playing Bonnie and Clyde with the most deadly, and sexy, Vampire in American History.

Locke & Key Grindhouse (One-Shot)
IDW, Written by Joe Hill; Art and Cover Art by Gabriel Rodriguez
Not even money grubbin’ skirt chasin’ gun wieldin’ no good gangsters stand a chance against the deadly wonders of Keyhouse. In this gory one-shot, Joe Hill pits old school goons out for the heist of their career against the isolated mansion on the tip of Lovecraft island, and one can only guess who ends up the victor in this old fashioned dog fight. Confident that the rich looking house will yield treasures beyond their wildest imaginations, the three stooges-esque gangsters brazenly force their way inside unaware of the gruesome fate that awaits those that cross the owners of Keyhouse. Although “Grindhouse” introduces more keys and doors than Alice could fall through in a lifetime of curious exploration, this one-shot also features a convenient blueprint and guide to the entire mansion in its final pages.

Paranormal Pop Comics Aug. 22

BY ERIN WOLF

This week in Paranormal Pop Comics, Courtney Crumrin contemplates life, love and the fear of dying alone as Dr. Manhattan wraps his blue brain around “What’s in the box?” and Dark Horse packs the pages with supernatural mayhem in the latest installment of their Eisner Award winning anthology series, “Dark Horse Presents.”

Courtney Crumrin #5
Oni Press
Written by Ted Naifeh; Art and Cover Art by Ted Naifeh

The one man band of Ted Naifeh has taken a moment from his typical drumming along to pause and reflect. Issue #5 of "Courtney Crumrin" features a pensive peek into the past of the Crumrin family thanks to a conveniently placed battered old diary. Burdened with the responsibility of carrying the name Crumrin and all the wonderful magic and secrets that go along with it, Courtney and her Uncle Aloysius ponder whether such powerful knowledge is a gift or a curse. This issue is a thoughtful walk down a dark memory lane, meant to be a cautionary tale to the already isolated teenage Courtney Crumrin, this book made me want to go out and immediately start embracing lonely looking strangers.

Paranormal Pop Comics July 4

BY ERIN WOLF

It’s the Fourth of July and while most of us in these United States were guzzling bottled IPAs, lighting illegal explosives and frolicking in patriotic glory, millionaire playboy Ozymandias was getting the crap beat out of him by bullies in grade school. While we were celebrating our freedom from funny British accents, the Danger Club teens were devising a plan to save the world at which they failed when they succumbed to the perils of puberty. And then, to top it all off, the minute the neighborhood fireworks display started, a giant Lizard turned man-bodied-reptile-brain freako was not so innocently conducting amateur genetics experiments under the nose of a busy Spider-Man who was away fighting a reformed Vampire in Midtown. America may have already won its freedom but the superheroes in the world of comics are still fighting the good fight in this week's patriotic Paranormal Pop Comics Rundown:

Paranormal Pop Comics June 6

BY ERIN WOLF

It’s all scrapbooks and warm fuzzies for DC’s newest prequel series Before Watchmen, while Dial H’s unlikely protagonist splatters the streets with bullets and snail goop, leaving the angst-ridden, pill-poppin’ teenage Harbinger-to-be no excuse but to straighten up when he finally meets his mentor in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comics breakdown:

Before Watchmen:
Minutemen #1 (of 6)
DC Comics
Written by Darwyn Cooke; Art and Cover by Darwyn Cooke

Probably one of the most anticipated comics of the year, and certainly the most controversial, the first issue of Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 was finally released Wednesday in a blaze of sepia toned glory. Dealt with the impossibly ambitious task of penning the beginning of the Minutemen prequel with the legendary Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons series Watchmen looming over him, Darwyn Cooke does a fine job of introducing the diverse roster of the original Minutemen vigilantes from a perspective of nostalgic hopefulness which is unique from the subsequent Watchmen generation’s pessimistic sentiment. The prequels are presented as excerpts from Hollis’ (Nite Owl) memoir “Under the Hood” which documents the history of the original Minutemen. However, even though he knows how the story ends, Hollis looks back on his time as a crime fighter fondly, “From here, in my empty apartment, I can only see the good.” It is an interesting sight to see the octuplet gang of ragtag superheroes as they were in their separate lives before they assembled any sort of organized team. I think the fans will find it delightful to follow the hopelessly flawed, inevitably doomed, yet slightly idealistic, and well intentioned group of folks that will in time come to call themselves the Minutemen.

Author Joe Hill geeks out on Comic Book Live

BY ERIN WOLF

I’m not typically one to sit at the computer and listen to a podcast but when I heard that comic book writer, Eisner winner and novelist Joe Hill was making an appearance on Comic Book Live in NYC last night, I all but had to tune in. Comic Book Live is an interview show that features in-depth discussions with industry professionals along with engaging segments like "The Stack" in which the cast reviews weekly releases and a trivia game that challenges audience members to answer goofy questions, sort of like a “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” for comic book geeks.

Joe Hill sat down to answer a few burning questions from the fellas at Comic Book Live in Fontana’s Bar, somehwere in the heart of Chinatown - and a gaggle of comic book nerds rejoiced. Hill revealed his thoughts on writing, how he broke into the business, his professional “bromance” with Gabriel Rodriguez, why he thinks Chronicle is the best super hero film ever made and what he’s got coming up next.

Paranormal Pop Comics May 16

BY ERIN WOLF

Kids are makin’ trouble in the neighborhood of Lovecraft in Clockworks #6 but there is no Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil to come to the rescue, little bunny foo-foos are hopping through the universe in Saucer Country #3 with their little beady eyes set on invading American politics and Truman finally learns how to change his own Free Mason diaper in The Manhattan Projects #3 while FDR undergoes a Frankenstein treatment and learns to stop worrying and love the bomb in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comics rundown:

Clockworks: Locke & Key #6 (of 6)
IDW
Written by Joe Hill; Art and Cover Art by Gabriel Rodriguez

In this stunning conclusion of Clockworks, we find Joe Hill’s gang of misfit teens at it again and this time there will be blood. There is civil unrest amongst the adolescents of Lovecraft as the hunt for the Omega Key continues…and ends. Powers from previously discovered keys come into play resulting in a gender bending, bone crushing, deliciously murderous good time as the final good kid vs. bad kid showdown unravels in the bowels of The Drowning Cave. Not to be missed, Joe Hill should hang up another key on his magical chain…the key to my heart. Okay, that was corny but this storyline is great, “key”-ep reading!

Saucer Country #3
Vertigo
Written by Paul Cornell; Art and cover by Ryan Kelly

As if it weren’t bad enough that books like It have made us afraid of Clowns and movies like Child’s Play have instilled a fear of dolls into the American psyche, but now we are being attacked by a malicious gang of bunnies? BUNNIES? Well, that’s what Governor Alvarado’s ex-husband claims the aliens that abducted him and his ex-wife/Governor looked during one of his hypno-regression therapy sessions. As for Presidential hopeful Arcadia Alvarado? Well, she’s employed her cracker jack team of advisers to figure out what the hell is going on in outer space these days and finally answer the question of whether or not Earth is about to be invaded. The team in turn employs Harvard professor Joshua Kidd who, coincidentally, is having his own visions of alien life-forms. Little glowing people and green men with oversized craniums I can handle…but please Paul Cornell, say it ain’t so, anything but bunnies!

The Manhattan Projects: The Bomb! #3
Image
Written by Jonathan Hickman; Art by Nick Pitarra and Cris Peter

I hate history but I love twisted historical fiction. FDR is dead and therefore so are the Manhattan Projects, right? RIGHT? Nope, in this “what if” series Jonathan Hickman explores several scenarios in which the alternately devious and righteous progression of technology can either improve or destroy the human race. Was there a third bomb developed by Oppenheimer, and if so, when launched will it be ridden by a rodeo cowboy who will whoop and holler waving his hat toward impact? I resent the implication that Truman ever wore a diaper to Free Mason meetings but don’t doubt for a second that a dead body can be brought back to life in some capacity. I’m still waiting for the day when MCA can be brought back in a head jar like on Futurama, RIP Adam Yauch and long live the brain of FDR.

Also released this week:
Avengers vs. X-Men #4
Marvel
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth – Devil’s Engine #1 (of 3)
Darkhorse
The Darkness #103
Top Cow
Saga #3
Image

Dark Horse Presents #12 - To be released May 23
Dark Horse is releasing the twelfth installment of the critically acclaimed Dark Horse Presents series on May 23rd. This most recent issue of DH's anthology of comics greatness will feature a brand-new Aliens story by Chew’s John Layman and legendary artist Sam Kieth, Dean Motter’s Mister X, and last but not least, the reemergence of Mike Baron and Steve Rude’s intergalactic fighting force, Nexus. I am also happy to mention there will be a Steve Niles favorite Criminal Macabre making an appearance along with the popular Black Beetle series and L.A. Book Prize awardee Carla Speed McNeil’s Finder.

Paranormal Pop Comics May 9

BY ERIN WOLF

Lonely teenage witch Courtney Crumrin finally finds a new frenemy to pal around with, crackerjack monster killer Dancy Flammarius does a touching Beatles tribute in Alabaster Wolves and Frankenstein is back, alive and terribly moody in a super duper Niles/Wrightson team up that has nerds across the world on their feet with applause, all this and more in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comic Rundown:

Courtney Crumrin #2
Oni Press
Written by and Art by Ted Naifeh

There’s a new witch in town and Courtney Crumrin can’t decide if she’s a friend or foe. No stranger to the dangers of magic and Night Things, Courtney takes the new girl under her wing sharing spells and advice with her like any friend would. But, the budding friendship is quickly quashed when witchy wannabe Holly starts using Courtney’s spells for personal gain. Didn’t this girl ever see Teen Witch or Charmed or Sabrina the Teenage Witch? That is rule #1 is adolescent magic, no personal gain spells, sheesh! After a passive aggressive highschool girl argument, Holly later tries to get back at Courtney by luring her into Goblin Town. But, when her “genius” plan backfires, she gets them both captured for good. Now it’s up to the two girls to decide if they can put their petty differences aside long enough to figure out how to get the heck out of Goblin Town alive.

Paranormal Pop Comics May 2nd

BY ERIN WOLF

It was a week of rare optimism as a fat dude with a nasty nicotine habit miraculously finds the only remaining phone booth in North America while Swamp Thing finally learns to love again and the war brides of Meta Legion stop getting their nails done long enough to pitch in and help the team in this overly joyous, happy happy good times Paranormal Pop Comics Rundown:

Dial H #1
DC
Written by China Miéville; Art by Mateus Santolouco

Nelson is overweight, unemployed and smokes too damn much. Normally a guy like that would not be considered the superhero type but when he stumbles upon his friend Darren getting his face pounded at a nearby alley, Nelson rushes to a phone booth to call for help only to be instantly transformed into Chimney Boy. It’s not until later that our anti-hero discovers that anytime he needs a little help all he has to do is dial h-e-r-o and he will be instantly transformed into a butt kicking supernatural badass. Too bad Verizon doesn’t offer “hero” service…

Swamp Thing #9
DC
Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Yanick Paquette and Marco Rudy

Swamp Thing finally faces his former girlfriend turned giant evil dentally-challenged ant monster in this week's Rot vs Green showdown. If only Swampy can remind her of her former self then when she turns back into a purple orchid lady everything will be resolved with a quick hug and walk into the swamp-set, right? Wrong. Even the newly formed super supernatural duo of the green man and his recently reunited fierce orchid skin gal pal isn't enough to broker peace in the midst of environmental turmoil. Together they still have to face the evil manchild and whomever it is that is seen bubbling out of the swamp in the next issue. Boy, I’m glad that I don’t live near water…

Supurbia #3 (of 4)
Boom!
Written by Grace Randolph; Art by Russell Dauterman

While the Meta Legion is off fighting a robotic alien invasion, the families of the superheroes stay at home wringing their hands hoping their loved ones will make it out alive. Supurbia seamlessly blends the inertia of home life with the death-defying acrobats of caped crusaders in this Desperate Housewives meets The Incredibles storytelling hybrid. Talk of broken marriages and explanations of why mommy fights bad guys for a living is mixed with the classic monologue ramblings of an evil Fabio looking villain and superhero-esque battle scenes. I just wonder what kind of detergent they use to wash the Meta Legion’s uniforms...or are they dry clean only?

Also released this week:
30 Days of Night #7
IDW
Animal Man #9
DC
Avengers vs. X-Men #3 (of 12)
Marvel
Fanboys vs. Zombies #2
Boom!
Grimm Fairy Tales: Myths & Legends #16
Zenescope
X-O Manowar #1
Valiant

Paranormal Pop Comics News:

The Avengers open the New York Stock Exchange
On Tuesday, May 1st, executives and guests of Marvel Studios, along with actors Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), visited the New York Stock Exchange and rang The Opening Bell to highlight the May 4th premiere of the highly anticipated Super Hero film, “Marvel’s The Avengers.”

It's true that Marvel has been advertising the hell out of this movie but does anyone else find the headline “The Avengers Open the NYSE” to be especially cool because it infers that the Avengers really do exist? Just for a moment, when I first saw the headline, I got goosebumps imagining a world in which superheroes were real. Well done Marvel, now if there were only a publicity stunt where you could actually create real superheroes...

The Avengers at the NYSE (Marvel.com)

Paranormal Pop Comics April 18

BY ERIN WOLF

Alert the Pentagon! Call Homeland security! If home is where the heart is, then sister you better pack it up and move because nobody is safe in this week’s wide world of comics! The Avengers attack the X-Men's scenic island of Utopia by land, air and sea while flying monkeys are bloodying up the neighborhood in No Place Like Home, and as if things weren't bad enough, after months of roaming the streets and battling walkers, Rick finally finds a zombie-free place to call home only to learn there is another threat on the horizon. Momma was right, you can never go home again, nor would you want to after this week's Paranormal Pop Comics Rundown:

No Place Like Home #3
Image
Written by Angelo Tirotto; Art by Richard Jordan

As if being hit by a deadly tornado weren’t enough, now there’s some crazy animal on the loose killing folks. I’d say we weren’t in Kansas anymore Dorothy but now it looks as if yes, we’ve got a flying monkey on our hands and he’s pretty handy with a knife. Dee and Lizzie find out some interesting facts about the past on a rainy night while digging up Dee’s dead parents at gun point by an unkempt, chatty drunkard. Just before the big revelation, the flying monkey comes back with his pointy knife and threatens to kill them all. Too bad flying monkeys don’t melt in the rain like some screechy witches I know.

Paranormal Pop Comics April 11

BY ERIN WOLF

It’s ladies week as Albino monster hunter Dancy Flammarion kicks some serious werewolf butt, the sassy Governor of New Mexico makes a run for the White House while dodging UFOs carrying horny aliens and the darling of the comics industry Courtney Crumrin is back in color and tougher than ever in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comic Rundown:

Alabaster Wolves #1 (of 5)
Dark Horse
Written by Caitlin R. Kiernan; Art by Steve Lieber

“Junk gets precious when junk is all you got left.” International Horror Guild Award-winning author Caitlin R. Kiernan brings one of her most enduring and popular creations to comics. Starring an Albino monster assassin named Dancy Flammarion, this issue is full of quotable lines that crossover authors typically bring with them in their bag of tricks to the world of comics. Dancy is the total package of hotness, with a slight hint of creepy, but rest assured that she is nothing short of completely dangerous when a hungry werewolf crosses her path. The two play a bit of the troll under the bridge riddle game to which our monster hunter proves she is as clever as she is strong. The writing is truly what soars in Alabaster Wolves and if you ask me, the best character in the first issue wasn't the sassy knife wielding heroine Dancy, but the opinionated bird that gives unwanted advice to her; it reminded me of the theater critic balcony guys from the Muppets and I loved it. With lots of premieres this week, this one was my favorite.

Courtney Crumrin Ongoing #1
Oni Press
Written by Ted Naifeh; Art by Ted Naifeh

Courtney Crumrin is back and in full color! Cute as a button as always ready to keep those night things in line, Courtney’s got a new neighbor and maybe finally, a real friend…or so she thought. At first little Courtney was so excited to have a gal pal around to share her secret spells with, but once the raven-haired troublesome Holly starts abusing Courtney’s magic spells for personal gain, everything changes. The perfect blend of Mean Girls and Harry Potter, it's an absolute thrill to be following the Crumrin series again. However, do not fret new Crumrin readers! Even if this is your first foray into the world of Hillsborough Middle School and Goblin Town, Ted Naifeh does a skilled job of introducing old characters as well as the new and issue #1 is certainly a great place to start.

Paranormal Pop Comics April 4

BY ERIN WOLF

This has been one of the most exciting weeks in comics to come around in a long time. The Hulk hits landmark issue #50 with a very angry Red Hulk duking it out with the spirit world, Marvel rolls out the red carpet for Avengers VS. X-Men, Zenescope returns to the horrors of The Waking with Dreams End and DC kills it as Swamp Thing continues as one of the best comics of the year in grotesquely beautiful issue #8. All this and some groundbreaking comics news from camp Dark Horse in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comics rundown:

The Waking: Dreams End #1
Zenescope Entertainment
Written by Raven Gregory; Art by Novo Malgapo

The murder rate is at an all time low…yay! The murder rate is at an all time low because the dead aren’t staying dead…oh no! The latest from Raven Gregory, the writer and creator of comic super hits such as the Wonderland Trilogy and Fly, volume two of The Waking is back and with a vengeance. If you’re typically scared of little girls holding teddy bears that stare with glowing evil eyes, then you will love the sophomore story arc of The Waking that brings back all the horror and creepiness of the first volume. After reading issue #1, I’m not sure if this is where “Dreams End” or “Nightmares Begin.”

Hulk #50 – Haunted Hulk Part One
Marvel
Written by Jeff Parker; Art by Carlo Pagulayan

The worst part about ghosts is that you can’t punch them when they get annoying. The Red Hulk has the ability to smash small mountains with his gigantic fists of fury but there is little he can do about a creepy shadow ghost following him around. Ever since his experience with the Demonspawn Blackheart, Hulk has had a serious case of the creeps and now even his loyal robot friend Aaron is acting strange, almost as if possessed. Who is this mysterious ghost man and why are all of those zombie soldiers trying to grab Red’s heart like that crazy high-priest dude in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Will the Hulk be able to conquer evil entities that can’t be crushed or killed? Welcome to the paranormal side Hulkster.

Paranormal Pop Comics March 28

BY ERIN WOLF

Is no place safe from Vampires these days? Super wicked Vamps are infiltrating the countryside of Pickens County, wreaking havoc in Gotham City and have even been spotted participating in a high speed drag race too fast and dangerous even for Vin Diesel. At least we can escape from Zombies and hide in the compound over the hill for a little while, or long enough to go over this week’s Vampire infested but Zombie free Paranormal Pop Comics rundown:

American Vampire #25
Written by Scott Snyder; Art and cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Vertigo

In American Vampire #25, the final chapter of ‘Death Race,’ Skinner Sweet finally gets Travis Kidd right where he wants him only to find out the pesky teen had helped himself to a hearty brew of gold dust and coffee for breakfast that morning. While Skinner chokes on 14 Karat blood and Travis tries to plug the bleeding in his neck, the arch rivals take a walk down memory lane as Travis recounts how he came to hunt the vicious super-Vamp in the first place. Before either of them start to succumb to the effects of gold dust and vampire venom respectively, the men in black show up to save the day armed with plenty of antidotes. Once both parties are treated, the situation seems to be under control until Travis gives the whole group the slip to go joyriding with Piper but I think it’s safe to say after what happens at the end of this comic…this will be the last ride they ever take together.

Paranormal Pop Comics March 14

BY ERIN WOLF

Is Buffy with baby? Was the Governor of New Mexico really abducted? Do people infected with a deadly virus always have to be naked? If the entire Cobra underground compound blew itself up, wouldn't the world be a better place? These burning questions and more in this week's Paranormal Pop Comics rundown:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9: Freefall #7
Dark Horse
Written by Andrew Chambliss; Art by Georges Jeanty

In this week’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer entitled “On Your Own” Part 2, Buffy is suffering from a case of the preggers. Feeling alienated from her roomies, she has packed up some boxes and decided to move in with Spike where the lack of closet space is the least of Buffy’s complaints in his cockroach infested blimp-mobile. To make matters worse, just as Buffy and Spike were having one of those important life-altering conversations, the Vampire is called away by a 911 from Detective Dowling who has gotten himself cornered in a nest of ferocious “Zompires.” It’s two against fifty as Buffy and Spike take on the whole mob, “staking” bad guys together like old times but it’s not until a rogue Zompire gets the drop on a vulnerable Buffy after the fight that reveals a twist so shocking you better be sitting down when you read it.

Saucer Country #1
Vertigo
Written by Paul Cornell; Art and cover by Ryan Kelly

It’s election season and Governor Arcadia Alvarado, a super sassy democrat and divorcee from New Mexico, is about to announce her candidacy to become President of the United States. As if she didn’t have enough to worry about, right before the biggest moment of her entire political career, Arcadia and her ex-husband go for a long drive to have a little chat and find themselves the unfortunate victims of an alien abduction. After her rendezvous with the naked green guys, the lady governor starts having visions of babies in jars and at one point, she even thinks she sees her abductors watching her in the shower Norman Bates style. But despite the traumatic events of the past few days and the constant nagging from a particularly feisty blonde republican consultant, Arcadia finally takes the stage and delivers an inspiring impromptu speech that ends with the Governor announcing her intentions to run for President. The crowd cheers but instead of some goofy Nixon double peace-sign pose or a George W. bomber jacket salute to celebrate, Arcadia is already halfway down the stairs of the stage warning her staff of an imminent alien invasion.

The Strain #4 (of 12)
Dark Horse
Written by Daniel Lapham; Art by Mike Huddleston

All Dr. Ephraim Goodweather wants to do is take a shower and stop the naked pointy tongue people from infecting his son and the rest of New York City with their yucky, contagious virus. But little does Eph know, there is a new guy in town determined to thwart the good doctor’s efforts who will stop at nothing to carry out his evil plans even if it means allowing a murderous army of pale skin nudists to take over Manhattan. The casualties are piling up and if Eph doesn’t get wise, soon the evil that is afoot will either infect or kill everyone in the entire Tri-State area.

Infestation 2: G.I. Joe #1 (of 2)
IDW
Written by Mike Raicht; Art by Valentine De Landro

Once the siren song of the Elder Gods was sung, there was no turning back. Vipers all over Cobra's secret underground facility are ripping through their shirts faster than the Hulk when he gets a little frustrated, the only ones immune to the catchy tune are super ninja Storm Shadow, Crystal Ball the wise Hagrid look alike and a timid man they call the Interrogator…oh yeah, and don’t forget all the nut-jobs locked up in the insane asylum wing also known as Cobra-la. In this twisted tale, it is Cobras vs. Cobras as the monster vipers fight their way to daylight against the insane residents of Cobra-la who, for whatever reason, are immune to the dark tune of the Elder Gods. However, thanks to a well-placed Cobra dinner napkin, the Joes have been alerted and might just be able to team up with the crazy vipers to keep the monsters from being released…just this once.

Also released this week:
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #7
DC
Locke & Key: Clockworks #5 (of 6)
IDW
Powers #9
Marvel
Resurrection Man #7
DC
The Shade #6 (of 12)
DC

Paranormal Pop Comics March 7

BY ERIN WOLF

It’s writer’s week as Joshua Jackson takes a crack at the flux capacitor, Ralph Tedesco possesses his buxom beauties with evil spirits and bad skin, Scott Snyder waxes poetic about the future of The Green and Eric Powell traces the genealogy of Goon all in this week’s Paranormal Pop Comics rundown:

Beyond The Fringe #1
DC
Written by Joshua Jackson; Art by Jorge Jimenez

Who hasn’t wanted to write a comic book about themselves at one point or another? Well actor, and now author, Joshua Jackson has done the next best thing and penned a spin-off comic called Beyond The Fringe that explores key events of his character Peter Bishop’s life that occurs between seasons three and four of his hit television show Fringe. The first in the series, ‘Peter and the Machine’ is a mind warping tale of time-travel so complex it rivals even the best of the classic Star Trek space time continuum conundrums. Although it must be odd to write a book that will feature a protagonist that looks just like you, actually that must be really cool, Joshua does a wonderful job of tackling the difficult components of a particularly heady Fringe script that the show is so famous for. Time-travel is tough but writing about it is even harder, well done Josh.


Salem’s Daughter: The Haunting #5
Zenescope
Written By Ralph Tedesco; Art by Allan Otero and Roland Pilcz

Possession takes on a whole new meaning in this heart pounding conclusion of Salem’s Daughter: The Haunting. Gunslinger Braden and foxy brunette Lettia take on a giant mob of spikey faced evil townsfolk in a desperate attempt to save Anna. Little do they know there are darker forces at work lurking in the barren wasteland that traps souls between earth and the afterlife who will stop at nothing to return to the world of the living. All is not as it seems as good and evil spirits fight to reclaim their rightful bodies in the most exciting possession story arc since Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Swamp Thing #7
DC
Written by Scott Snyder; Art and cover by Yanick Paquette

All Alec Holland knows is that he is in pain. In Swamp Thing #7 there is no shortage of detailed gore and psychedelic foliage as Alec finds himself trapped by the smarty pants elder trees who have spared his life only to force him to die a painful death alongside the dying green. The totally gross, yet strangely beautiful, storytelling of dream team Snyder and Paquette follow the trial of Alec Holland as he tries desperately to convince his plant brethren not to give in to the malicious Rot that threatens to destroy them all. One little sip of the “Bio-Restorative Formula” and The Green may have a fighting chance with Swamp Thing on their side and maybe Alec can save his lady love Abigail from a fate worse than death. After this issue, you’ll never look at your fern the same way again.

The Goon #38
Dark Horse
Written by Eric Powell; Art by Eric Powell and Dave Stewart

Despite his tough exterior, even Goon was once a helpless baby. In The Goon #38, everyone’s favorite comic book tough guy’s past is revealed in a heart breaking story that follows the life of his aunt Kizzie and how she came to ultimately take baby Goon into her care. Cursed with the body of a husky lumberjack and a gap in her teeth that would make Lauren Hutton cringe, Kizzie was constantly made fun of as a child. When finally she is engaged to be married to a man who doesn’t seem to mind her unfortunate appearance, the poor girl is wooed away by a shifty carnie with questionable motives that put in motion a series of even more unfortunate events. In a life of struggle and despair, the angelic face of a cooing Goon baby finally gives Kizzie the hope and purpose she has always sought after.

Also released this week:
30 Days of Night #5
IDW
Animal Man #7
DC
Ferals #3
Avatar
The Hulk #49
Marvel
I, Zombie #23
DC
Supernatural #6 (of 6)
DC

Paranormal Pop Comic News:

Hulk #50 – To be released April 4, 2012
Written by Jeff Parker; Art by Carlo Pagulayan and Dan Brereton
Marvel

The previews are out for Marvel’s landmark issue #50 of the Hulk and boy does Red Hulk look angry!

“The Red Hulk didn’t get out of that Venom story unscathed,” explains Jeff Parker. “Something followed him out of hell and it's going to make the supernatural territory of Marvel break open and swallow our anti-hero whole!"

"This arc puts Red Hulk in the paranormal hot seat,” adds Marvel Comics Senior Editor Mark Panicca. “Hulk #50 is a gamma-powered, poltergeist-packed issue that’s a joy ride through Marvel's darkest side."

The Vault – Trade Paperback
Image Comics
Story by Sam Sarkar; Art by Garrie Gastonny

"Beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man." -Fyodor Dostoevsky

The trade paperback of The Vault was released by Image Comics this week. The story follows a small team of ambitious treasure hunters as they excavate an underwater treasure pit on the eve of a looming massive storm front. Weather, however, turns out to be the least of their problems when the crew unknowingly unearths an evil buried and forgotten in the vault long ago.