3/10/11 HHH review: The Calling: The Cthulhu Chronicles tpb

The Calling : The Cthulhu Chronicles tpb(boom studios) $14.99 by Michael Allen Nelson , Johanna Stokes art: Chris Possenti

Plot/Premise:
After a series of horrific events, four strangers are left searching for answers to their personal tragedies. But as they struggle to make sense of these terrible occurrences, they are brought together by the discovery of a dark scheme that threatens the existence of everything they have ever known. An unspeakable evil is about to be unleashed onto the world. An evil known only as...Cthulhu.

Gord Says:
     I read this as a noob to the Cthulhu lore. Although being a Cthulhu regular or noob  doesnt benefit nor detract from the experience. The Calling could easily be a stand alone title. 


     The opening chapter is sensational. Without giving detailed spoilers , a cruise ship with 1959 passengers all drop dead but there's 1964 bodies...and a life boat is missing.  Who the? what the? where the? ...HUH?! the perfect set up.


    The follow through was decent enough , Nelson and Possenti get from point A to point B. Character development was mainly focused on one character though there were 4 key protagonists. The problem with a shorter series like The Calling  is they become linear , your hand is not only held but guided throughout the story. The story is told and its complete I'll give it that. 


    The art had its ups and downs for me , there was some good panels here and there but overall I felt it could have been done differently. I didn't think some of Possenti's designs captured significant scenes as well as it could. For example the opening sequence when the mom and her son are hiding with someone/thing pounding on the door... the conclusion to this scene didnt seize the moment in my opinion. 

    By the end I felt the story had some intrigue , some  chills , some hysteria , it had all the elements you need for a good horror comic. It was lacking something but I cant put my finger on it.

 You might be disappointed she doesnt appear in this series

 The Good:
This was noob friendly. You dont have to know anything about Cthuluhu or love/Cthulhu. The Calling was more about the culture than the actual Cthulhu. 

The Bad:
I actually felt this story was using the Cthulhu brand to help give it automatic credibility because the story itself could've easily been told without using the Cthulhu brand. 



Verdict: Dig it or Ditch It.
I Dig it. I like using dating analogies.. it's like a date with a pretty girl that doesn't end bad nor finish crazy good but you probably wont date her again but you never erase her number.


Value Rating: $15 cover... I would pay $10/15 for this. I have the 4 issue comic set so I cant speak for the trade and what bonus goodies if any it may have.

3/3/11 HHH reivew: Beast of Burden : Animal Rites

   This week I take a look at Beasts of Burden : Animal Rites (darkhorse comics) $19.99 by Evan Dorkin , art:  Jill Thompson

    

plot/premise:

       Welcome to Burden Hill-a picturesque little town adorned with white picket fences and green, green grass, home to a unique team of paranormal investigators. Beneath this shiny exterior, Burden Hill harbors dark and sinister secrets, and it's up to a heroic gang of dogs-and one cat-to protect the town from the evil forces at work.

Gord says:
    If you like comic books and you're also a dog/cat lover , then this is what "deflecting blame to victims" and "covering up crimes" are to the catholic church , the perfect compliment to your needs. It's the Goonies except that they're dogs , it's The Watchmen except that its an animal society , it's The Little Rascals except it's a gang of dogs dealing with horrific supernatural stuff that would straighten out Buckwheat's hair. Beasts of Burden's shit does gets real.

    You might be saying how the frak is this horror ? its a Disney talking animal story ain't it? . I can assure you this is not a Disney type story. We got zombie dogs , we got werewolves  , we got witches , we got angry rats , we got bloodshed , we got eye gouging goo , we got dog on dog violence... hell , somewhere in Philadelphia Michael Vick has an unexplained boner. Though it wont scare anybody ,  however maybe kids might get a  genuine spook fest from it.

    The stories are riveting , the characters are lovable , and it looks great overall. For every panel that I was on the edge of my seat , there was a panel I just wanted to tickle their tummies and go " awwwwww poochy goochy dooooo! ". Every dog in this story will have his/her day whether it be finding redemption , courage , friendship , intimacy , a reason to live... it's a coming of age story ... for dogs. 

 

 zombie dogs! ... Groovy!

The Good:
     To steal a line from Jeff Cannata (Jeff is co host to web series Totally Rad Show) this is " a childern's book for adults ". There's something soothing about this book. I find Jill Thompson's classic style of art to be like comfort food that makes you feel like you're home no matter where you are .. Jill Thompson is "comfort art".

who ya going to call?

The Bad:
     The only bad thing I have to say about this series is that it clearly is an on going series and leaves you craving more , there's only this book and 1 one shot floppy(w/Hellboy) currently available. There's no long term plans for more BoB series.

 is it just me or is it raining FRIGGEN FROGS!?!

The Verdict: Dig it or Ditch it.
I Dig it lots. Love the adventure , the mystery , the thrills ... the horror elements won't actually scare you but it will entertain you. Does an all out dogs vs zombie dogs battle royal sound awesome? ruff ruff

Value Rating: Of the $20 cover price , I would pay $20/20.. its worthy of a 20 dollar bill.  A solid 184 pages and it comes with some extra sketches and scripts.

let sleeping dogs lay ..especially if they're dead

Arooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo