Tag Archives: criminal macabre: the eyes of frankenstein

Picks of the Week! Check Out Our Top Comic Choices!

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MidasFlesh_01_rev_Page_1This week we’re doing something a little bit different and instead of presenting an overall pick (there wasn’t a consensus) we’re instead just presenting what each of us is looking forward to this week as far as comic new releases.

Andrew:

Top Pick: Criminal Macabre The Eyes of Frankenstein #4 (Dark Horse) – The final book in an exceptional four-part story about alcoholic occult detective Cal McDonald’s quest to help a monster and save himself. Niles and Mitten do great things.

East of West #8 (Image) – This dystopian sci-fi western is still going strong. Though we find out more about the three horsemen, I hope Hickman starts exploring other places and people in his new world.

Ghost #1 (Dark Horse) – This is my first foray into heroine Elisa Cameron’s fight to rid Chicago of extradimensional demons. Writer’s Kelly Sue DeConnick and Chris Sebela kick this series back off with a number one issue, and it looks like a good one.

Hit #4 (BOOM! Studios) – Gritty, bloody noir cop drama that does everything right. It’s a dirty L.A. Confidential that you have to read.

Brett:

Top Pick: Imagine Agents #3 (BOOM! Studios) – The first two issues of this series has left me with a smile on my voice. Cut and entertaining, the series is like a mash-up of Men in Black and Ghostbusters where the ghosts are imaginary friends.

The Midas Flesh #1 (BOOM! Studios/BOOM! Box) – The first release of BOOM!’s BOOM! Box line of comics, the series is from some of the minds behind Adventure Time, so expect it to be entertaining.

Saga #17 (Image Comics) – One of the best ongoing series period. It’s a mix of everything you could want in a sci-fi series, and it most importantly has heart.

Uncanny Avengers #15 (Marvel) – After the shocking events of last issue, how can this not be on the list? I expect a fake out, but who knows.

The Wake: Part One #1 (DC Comics/Vertigo) – Here’s your chance to catch up with the series. It’s not what you expect, it’s so much more…. and amazing.

Review: Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein #2

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20131106-082613.jpgThose that already miss Halloween need not fret, Steve Niles and Christopher Mitten have preserved the comedic horror of the supernatural in their well drawn, well written four part series Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein. Plagued by two mysteries, L.A.’s shrinking ghoul population and his own respiratory illness, occult detective Cal McDonald is hoping for a small win by finding a new set of eyes for a recently rescued Frankenstein monster. He must begrudgingly visit Jason Hemlock, a wealthy surgeon and self-proclaimed supernatural expert, who might be able to solve both the ocular issue and that of the dying ghouls.

It is remarkable to see how Steve Niles can transition from his emotionally poignant Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem to the dry, bloody humor of Cal’s macabre world. Some comics, at times, can be consumed by jokes and witty dialogue (cough-Quantum and Woody-cough), but Niles expertly balances morbid banter with paranormal plot lines to keep the story moving. Though he has been oft compared to DC’s Constantine, it is fair to say that after more than two decades in print, Cal McDonald has solidified himself as an entirely unique and different character.

Christopher Mitten‘s illustrations, though supremely different from Ben Templesmith‘s work on Criminal, are unique in it of themselves. The scratchy lines and sunken eye sockets add to the moody atmosphere of an unknowing Los Angeles fraught with undead dilemmas. Although Mitten could still afford to add more panels of a cloudy L.A. skyline or seedy side streets to expand the reader’s view of the city.

This four book series is a great starting point for Niles’ long-running noir horror detective series and will leave readers wanting more of the pill-popping, degenerate protagonist. If Eyes of Frankenstein isn’t bloody enough, look no further than the Criminal Macabre/30 Days of Night crossover trade that came out in September. Either way, for those dreading the Thanksgiving gourds and Christmas commercials, the ghoulish haunts of Halloween don’t have to go anywhere.

Story: Steve Niles Art: Christopher Mitten
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Pick(s) of the Week: The Wake #4 and so Much More

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The Wake #4 coverIn a solid week of comic book releases this comic made it on three of our four lists and for those three, it was on the top spot for each. The Wake, is Scott Snyder and  Sean Murphy‘s series from Vertigo. To say it’s good is an understatement.

Trapped…drowning…dying…could things get worse for Doctor Lee Archer and her team? Yes, they could. Much worse, in fact. Turns out the shocking discovery of the creature was only the beginning.

A mix of science fiction. A mix of horror. This series is a tense thriller that’s been solid with each and every issue. Vertigo’s hit new series continues and you should be reading it!

Check out the rest of our picks below.

Andrew:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – I don’t know how many times I checked the Internet to make sure this series hadn’t ended while I wasn’t paying attention. I still can’t tell which is better, Snyder’s story or Murphy’s illustrations.

Criminal Macabre: The Eyes of Frankenstein #1 (Dark Horse) – After Steve Niles’ phenomenal but emotionally heavy Breath of Bones, it is great to see him back doing what he does best…writing horror.

East of West #6 (Image) – If an issue of this series is an upcoming release it will always be in my top picks. Hickman and Dragotta kill it every month with their post apocalyptic dystopian world.

King Conan The Hour of the Dragon #5 (Dark Horse) – Fantastic story and artwork. I met writer Tim Truman at the Baltimore Comic-Con and had a blast talking about his passion for scribing the barbarian.

Mouse Guard Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #3 (Archaia) – I have a ways to go before catching up to this issue, but I’m going to list it anyways. Redwall for adults, fantastic

Brett:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – I think I summed it up above, but this series has been amazing with each and every issue. Solid story and art in each release.

Garth Ennis’ Red Team #5 (Dynamite Entertainment) – I love a good cop thriller and this is one charting the fall of a team of cops who take the law into their own hands.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 2 #3 (Archaia) – Mouse Guard is an amazing series mixing fantasy with cute mice. I’m not a fan of fantasy, but I’m a fan of this series which is great for kids and adults.

Powerpuff Girls #1 (IDW Publishing) – How can you not include the first issue of the series that takes the popular cartoon and launches it in comics? I wasn’t a die-hard fan of the cartoon, but the episodes I did watch were entertaining enough that I’m really looking forward to checking this series out.

Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #1 (Marvel) – How is there not an ongoing Punisher series going on? Really Marvel!?

Scott:

Top Pick: The Wake #4 (Vertigo) – Last issue ended on a huge, game-changing cliffhanger, and I’m so excited to see it resolve itself. Or maybe it won’t! Either way, it’s going to be a great comic.

Fatale #17 (Image) – Brubaker’s and Phillip’s crime story keeps getting darker and darker, just the way a noir should. I believe this issue has the customary mid-arc interlude, and I’m interested in visiting Nicolas Lash in the modern day.

Saga #14 (Image) – What more can someone even say about this comic? Everything about it is breathtaking, and I’m just so giddy that it’s finally coming out. Feels like it’s been forever.

Sex Criminals #1 (Image) – Matt Fraction has been turning out some solid comics recently, and I hear that this book is like a romantic comedy with heists. Come on. Comedy, heists, and Matt Fraction. Sold.

Sean:

Top Pick: Saga #14 (Image) – I can never wait to get the next Saga issue in my hands!

Aquaman #23.2 Ocean Master (DC Comics) – While Ocean Master is kind of a blase villain, he’s played a major part in New 52 Arthur’s life, and DC is kicking ass with Aquaman all around, so you’d be dead wrong to ignore this.

Batman #23.4 Bane (DC Comics) – Bane’s awesome, so I can’t wait to give this a shot.

Planet of the Apes Giant #1 (one-shot) (BOOM! Studios) – BOOM!’s Planet of the Apes comics are fantastic, despite being rarely discussed. Seriously, try ’em out!

Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #1 (Marvel) – sort of reminiscent of Marvel’s “Trial of Spider-man” event from the 1990s, but this certainly looks like a great Punisher miniseries, and a great place to hop on if you’re not a Punisher fan.