EDITOR’S NOTE: Searching through the long boxes for some appropriate reading tonight, I found the perfect choice. This selection is also timely because it follows the news that Tales For A Halloween Night is a planned television series for the SyFy Channel. Watch a video with details and insights here: https://www.stormkingproductions.com/skpanducpannouncement/ I had so much fun reading this collection, I just may have to search out some more Halloween scary tales to share . . . . .
JOHN CARPENTER’S TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT Volume 1 (Storm King Productions, October 2015) Mature readers. ISBN # 9780985325893. Various writers and illustrators, as noted below . . . . .
This is a dream assembly of creators. The stories meet expectations for chills and thrills and are different enough that none of them seem like retreads of often used tropes. The art is equal to the premium quality of the writing crew, and the inks and colors are exceptional. Some stories look painted, some photo realistic, but all appear as if they could be movie sets. Perhaps it’s because, as publisher and editor Sandy King explains in the SyFy Wire video, that she treats inkers and colorists as if they were lighting directors on a movie set, and provides hints and tips on how scenes should portrayed in the comic. I’ll explain the accompanying stories below, but I’ll put my rating right up front - - - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. If you’re a fan of horror comic anthologies, you’d be hard pressed to find a better collection than this one.
Like all good horror comics, this one includes a creepy host in the tradition of EC’s Tales From The Crypt, and all those that followed. The stocky, shadowy Groundscreeper (created by Steve Nile and Steven Hoveke with art by Jon Bogdanove) is manager of the spooky cemetery and introduces each of the six stories in Volume 1.
In the opening tale “The Ghost Maker” written by filmmaker John Carpenter with art by Federico De Luca, two scientists often at odds have a discussion over brandy on the principles of observer-created reality. The host scientist has uncovered a way to create a ghost and has found the perfect subject to demonstrate his findings. Never drink brandy with your rivals. Both characters in this story have a sly resemblance to horror film stars Peter Cushing and Tony Todd.
Four friends set out “At Sea” (written by Trent Olsen with art by Tone Rodriguez) to sail to a distant isle. Who expects visitors in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
“Bunny Didn’t Tell Us” written by David J. Schow with art by Darick Robertson is my second favorite story in the collection. Crimelord Bunny rubs out competitor Desmond, but neglects to snag the rings and bling he was wearing. So, he dispatches two employees to dig up the grave and grab the prizes. Bunny forgot to tell them that Desmond was buried inside his limousine. Luckily, it has a sunroof. But why is it opening up once they dig down to the limo?
The significance of the title “Some Grub”, by James Ninness and Brett Simmons, won’t sink in until after the finish of this story. This squirmy tale is related by a survivor during a meeting at a greasy diner that provides for some funny comments and literary references. A jewel heist goes wrong as one of the robbers is shot. They hide away in a remote hut in the woods and encounter slimy things in the dark.
My favorite tale is “Notice To Quit” by Duane Swierczynski and Richard P. Clark. Near-suicides don’t count, unless something happens in the time that elapses when a person hovers on the ledge between death and life. In this case, something else wants to use the body since it’s being discarded. The main character comes to in a hospital bed, revived by the EMT’s. But he’s not fully recovered, and horrible things are occurring when he suffers from blackouts, which are occurring more and more frequently. Pray you never have to fight with a demon for possession of your physical form.
Things don’t end well in “Fortune Broken” by Sandy King and Leonardo Manco as a gaudy ring brings hellish visions and bloody downfalls to it’s various temporary owners.
