New comic book Wednesday has come and gone. The dust at your local comic shop has settled. An eerie silence descends as you finish reading your last superhero book of the week. Now it's time for something a little more sinister. Welcome to Bagged and Boarded: comic reviews of the sick, spooky, twisted and terrifying!
The Auteur No. 1
Nathan T. Rex was one of the hottest names in Hollywood. His track record as a producer was incomparable. Hit after hit he spawned, until his latest release, a three-part space epic called 'Cosmos,' flopped. Considered the biggest failure in movie history, Rex was shunned. Now he's trying to find inspiration for his newest horror movie through drugs, drugs… and more drugs. Through vivid hallucinations he finally figures out who his slasher is supposed to be.
Bag it or board it up? This comic, written by Rick Spears and drawn by James Callahan, oozes imagination and depravity. The hallucination scenes are some of the best I've ever seen in a comic, and this plot seems fun. I'm not sure where this series is headed, but I'm following.
The Twilight Zone No. 3
A big-time, too big to fail investment banker is on the hook, and could be facing some serious jail time. But he's had a change of heart, says he'll face the charges, and begins loving his wife and caring about the world around him. Meanwhile, a downtrodden, nasty guy says that he's that banker, says that someone stole his life from him. As the story unfolds in true Twilight Zone fashion, we see just who's who in this weird tale.
Bag it or board it up? This comic really feels like good old Twilight Zone. You're not sure who's the good guy, you're not sure what's going on, and you know there's going to be an awesome twist at the end. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, who wrote episodes of the eighties version of the show, the comic shines with good plotting. Even though it's not a new story every issue (which would have fit nicely with the style of the serialized show), it still really harkens back to the old episodes.
Escape From Jesus Island No. 1
A group of young animal rights activists with dreams of reality TV stardom sneak onto an island owned by ReGen Corp. The company, which specializes in genetic testing on animals, has one of its testing facilities shrouded in mystery. As the group investigates the old, abandoned-looking building, they find more than animal testing on the island. Whether ReGen or some other entity, someone is seriously stirring the genetic pot. Mutants, monsters, and mad men stalk the halls, attack the kids, and generally terrorize.
Bag it or board it up? This gleefully offensive comic is so full of blood, gore, and mayhem that I can't not recommend it. Originally released in December as part of a promo, it's now officially released. And this comic is a blast. If you like monsters, sacrilegious imagery, and idealistic a-holes getting torn to pieces… you'll love Escape from Jesus Island.
Afterlife with Archie No. 4
Archie and the gang are under assault from hordes of zombies. In a story they said could never happen, all of Riverdale is under siege. Previously, the gang holed up in Veronica's mansion, but Archie slipped away while no one was looking. Archie's off to find his parents, hoping against hope that they haven't yet been infected by the zombie menace. When he runs into trouble, a dear old pal saves his butt. But at a cost!
Bag it or board it up? Why aren't you reading Afterlife with Archie? What are you thinking! Go, run, read it! This comic deals with issue the normal Archie comics wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole, and it makes you wonder how the hell they got away with it!