August
17
Gunfighters and Ghouls
Western Tales of Terror #1
Creators: Dan Taylor, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Jay Busbee, Benito Cereno, Steve Niles and Porter McDonald, writers; Chuck BB, Scott A. Keating, Jared Bivens, Nate Bellegarde and Nick Stakal.
Hoarse and Buggy Productions, 40 pages, black-and-white, $3.50
So? This isn’t the first attempt at mixing the Western and horror genres in comics, though it is one of the best in a long time. The half-dozen stories that kick off this bimonthly anthology are all well-drawn and well-written. That this could attract a top comicbook writer like Steve Niles is impressive; that the stories are all good enough to truly belong in the same book is even more so. The standouts include Fialkov and Keating’s tale of a man stuck in quicksand who tries to betray his rescuer and Niles and Stakal’s tale of revenge through resurrec-tion. This is a book that, if it can keep up the quality and stay on schedule, could become a must-read indie title. Grade: A-
Fred the Clown #5
Creator: Roger Langridge
Hotel Fred Press, 32 pages, black-and-white, $2.95
So? This combination of ornate artwork, slapstick comedy and self-deprecating humor seems like a comicbook version of a classic silent movie — with clowns. Fred is a hapless fellow, with no nose and single tooth, who’s adventures seem inspired by both Mad magazine and the artwork of Chris Ware. Far from a more-cheerful “Jimmy Corrigan,” the excellent artwork is delightful in a quiet way that’s often hard to come by in the era of blockbuster sequel and computer-coloring. Though lacking in contemporary sex appeal and gutbusting laughs, “Fred” is dependably funny. Grade: B+
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This comic was hot. I liked it quite a bit.
Lukas Kaiser
the sketch comedian
Posted by: Lukas Kaiser | August 19, 2004 at 12:08 AM
Thanks for the kind words. It was a fun book to be a part of. Now I have to convince Josh to let me contribute more often.
Side note: The actual url for Dan Taylor is http://danltaylor.com.
Thanks again.
- Dan
Posted by: Dan Taylor | August 19, 2004 at 08:27 AM
Definitely, Thank you so much for your kind words.
The book is in Previews starting next week, and can be ordered from your Local Comics Shop using this order number: SEP042752 F WESTERN TALES OF TERROR #! (MR)
Hope y'all give it a looksie!
Posted by: Joshua Hale Fialkov | August 19, 2004 at 12:11 PM