There’s no shortage of suitably spooky things to watch this Halloween. Our vote is for ultra-pedigreed horror anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix. But what about things to read?
Also opting for the horror anthology format, but this time on the comic page is Creepshow, published by Image Comics under Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint. Issue 2 of Creepshow is out today, 26 October, offering a fresh pair of standalone tales, each from a different set of creators.
Creepshow, of course, comes with its own pedigree in the horror genre. What began life in 1982 as a darkly comic horror anthology film directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King led to two sequels, its own comic adaptation, and eventually an acclaimed TV series on Shudder (three seasons strong and renewed this year for its fourth).
Image’s new Creepshow miniseries (which will ultimately consist of five issues) is based on the Shudder series – probably because it is so fresh in the public consciousness – but it’s part of a greater, cultishly popular franchise with a 40-year history, and even older influences. Anyone with a love for horror comics will immediately recognize how Creepshow, whether on the screen or page, pays tribute to infamous EC Comics publications like Tales from the Crypt, The Vault of Horror and The Haunt of Fear.
Each Creepshow tale is introduced, and capped off, by a hooded host (here The Creep) who slathers their commentary with horrific puns. As for the stories, they vary, but are typically macabre, relishing their shocking nature and dishing out just desserts for some truly horrible people. It’s okay to relish their grisly demise, or otherwise miserable ending. They deserve it. Just watch out for that sting in the tail, which sometimes strikes innocent characters too.
Much like how each episode of the Creepshow TV series consists of two stories, each Creepshow comic issue is split into two completely separate parts delivered by different creative teams. Of course, being an anthology series, the quality and impact of each tale will vary according to individual preference.
That said, the miniseries starts off on an especially strong, stomach-churning note in Issue 1 with Take One, from writer-artist Chris Burnham, (with Adriano Lucas on colours). Appropriate for the upcoming holiday, Take One centres on greedy, disrespectful trick or treaters. The same issue contains a narrative about a birthday clown with a sinister difference, from Batman: The Animated Series’ Paul Dini, Steve Langford and John McCrea.
Issue 2, meanwhile, kicks off with David and Maria Lapham (Stray Bullets) delivering an account of a tree with psychotic influence, although my personal favourite from the latest Creepshow installment is Creator’s Rites. From Steve Foxe and Erica Henderson, Creator’s Rites looks at an elderly comics creator whose big studio payout is targeted by his unscrupulous old age home caregiver. More realistic than the other Creepshow stories in the series (to date), the tale’s chilling nature is heightened by its contrast with the colourful, cartoonish visuals.
That’s now, but looking forward, future issues of Creepshow will feature the all-star likes of Francesco Francavilla, Ariela Kristantina, Kyle Starks, Henry Barajas, Dani, Steve Orlando, Marianna Ignazzi, and more. Whether you love horror, the anthology entertainment format, and/or the horror comics of yesteryear, Creepshow is definitely one to be reading over the next few days and months.