Scary Sights
Hey scary folk! As it becomes clear that it’s becoming a mission for me to cover every single comic book that graces my inbox, it has become even clearer for me that the best way for me to cover off as much spooky stories and dark folk tales, is for a summary on the month that was.
Welcome to the first instalment of Scary Sights, a recap article of everything spooky in the world of comics. Let’s get to it.
Cinderella: Fairy World Massacre
As the new addition to the Cinderella corner of Zenescope Entertainment’s world, Cinderella: Fairy World Massacre takes the reader to a section of comic books where few creators have dared go in recent times. At least, from what I can remember. In a world occupied by fairy tales and magic-based life forms that are going to either enchant you or eat you, Cinderella does quite well for a stuck up privileged asshole.
When we’re first introduced to the privileged fairy tale princess we get the feeling she’s a selfish character devoid of any self awareness – which is true. Except add an extra layer of insanity on top and you’ve got the premium soufflé of Cinderella’s personality. A personality which sees this character stumble through fairyland hopelessly and not be afraid to break as many mythological hearts along the way.
It takes a special someone to leave two human beings to boil alive in a human soup after you’ve saved them from goblins. Or in this case it’s taken a couple of someone’s. Writer Dave Franchini and artist Jordi Tarragona have created a meeting place for satire, experimental black comedy and the blatantly obvious wrongs of fairytales to flourish.
Even if you pick this up for no other reason than it’s interesting to see a Harley Quinn lookalike create all sorts of bastardry and havoc because she can – then do it. I like this Cinderella. She’s kind of Cinderella that is the unauthorised Goddess of Madness and Mania and that appeals to me.
Cinderella: Fairyworld Massacre is published by Zenescope Entertainment.
The Vineyard #4
There’s few short lived series that have left me chomping at the bit for the next instalment as much as The Vineyard. A dark, modern folk horror that casts a looming shadow over Americana, this folk horror tale of Brian Hawkins and Sami Kivela’s comes to a furious ending as we reach the height of Adonis’ obsession with the greek god Dionysus. This dark pagan tale which borrows from Greek mythology to establish an unforgiving antagonist brings so many themes to bare. Themes which are largely left in the rear window as you glare back at them with an assumptive gaze.
Throughout the first three issues, Hawkins establishes that the men of Adonis’ family are the only ones that can see the faery-looking spirits of Dionysus. However, as the The Vineyard gets closer towards its climactic ending involving the sacrifice of two people to a tree (think of that tree rape scene in the first Evil Dead movie), the rules of this folk horror comic book become a bit blurry. As Sophia begins to battle the evils of Dionysus the question is raised that maybe she’s different or maybe as you begin to stamp out the evil that its trickery becomes plain for the eyes to see?
While I’m not going to leave you with the kind of spoilers that will give you adolescent rage, what I will say is the epic confrontation between Adonis, Sophia and their parents is thematically on point with the other three issues. The idea that sacrifices come at great cost is present on almost every blood soaked Sami Kivela page. The type of person who collects The Vineyard is the same person whose favourite Netflix series is Dark or who loves the screams of Police Sergeant Neil Howie from inside The Wicker Man.
Horror is subjective but this addition to the genre is dark, seductive and richly pagan at the roots.
The Vineyard #4 is published by Aftershock Comics.
Tales of Science Fiction: The Envoy #1
David J. Schow does a great job in creating an air of tension and suspense throughout all of Issue 1. The kind of tension and suspense that John Carpenter’s brand of science fiction and weird is known for. From the initial start we’re completely empathetic to character Ben Raines’ struggle of having lost his wife in the worst way possible. While at the same time penning a character like Steven Allard, who is the opposite to Ben; resilient, charismatic and a naturally born salesman. The kind of person who’s able to draw Ben out of his inner turmoil and into the fray where aliens and the great beyond are about to be explored.
While I’m not overly familiar with his work, artist Andres Esparza captures several moods within the pages of this first issue. Moods of a haunted house in the initial scenes where Ben Raines first encounters that hulk of an apparition to his meeting with Steven Allard in his limousine which is overly emotive and touch triggering on both sides. Ride down to the electrifying entrance of the alien which appears on the very last page of this issue. If Esparza’s plan was to bring out the spookier vibes of a John Carpenter film in the pages of this comic book – then mission accomplished.
Issue 1 of Tales of Science Fiction: The Envoy is creepy, suspenseful, highly emotive and reaches into the darker recesses of the human psyche. It’s the blending of science with the supernatural which summons forth a paranormal being that makes this work of David J. Schow and Andres Esparza’s more than deserving of the “John Carpenter’s Tales of Science Fiction” brand.
Tales of Science Fiction: The Envoy #1 is published by Storm King Comics
What did you think of these Scary Sights?
Did we miss any of your favourite horror tales this month?
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