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.