In Memoriam: Christopher Lee

This is the part of the blog that I hate updating the most. Today, one of the all time greatest actors has passed as we loose Christopher Lee. From his days as Dracula, the Frankenstein monster and the Mummy in the classic Hammer Horror films to his work with Vincent Price, Peter Cushing  (outside the classic Hammer Horror films), The Wicker Man, Gremlins 2 and recently in the Lord of the Ring films, he is an actor that will be missed by many! The man has been in so many films that I cannot think of all of them at the moment. He actually holds the record for most film appearances ever. On top of that, the man has recorded Metal albums! He is a man who was larger than life who will be missed by so many, not just fans of the Horror genre. There may never be another like him who could do so much and hold an audience in the palm of his hand with ease.

Constantine: The Hellblazer (#1)

Wow! Just, wow! Now this new Constantine is more closer to the original and blows the previous New 52 one out of the water in one single issue. In a world where he is surrounded by ghosts, shagging demons and banishing others, it is a great beginning to the new series! Oh! The cliffhanger about someone killing ghosts!? Masterful! Both the art and writing is very well done as John looks young but not too young like his New 52 counterpart. I am intrigued to read more of these as, it may be all a trick to John in the story but, when John Constantine is like this, it is truly magic!

Reanimator (#3)

Wow! What an issue!  In here Herbert West reveals his plans for the two gangs as well as telling his assistant the whole truth about everything! This story works great in setting up what promises to be a very bloody and chaotic conclusion next month as you can only expect when Herbert West is involved. The Reanimator series has been great and I wish this was an ongoing series instead. Guess they aren't allowed to spoil me like that!

The Walking Dead - Volume 23: Whispers into Screams

With the new volume,  we find out more about the talking zombies, there is a murder plot and Carol becomes a ladies man! There is so much going on that you barely notice the fact that the story only has Rick in for a couple of pages really and that the story is more focused on Maggie and her community. The action isn't noticeable but it is a great story that doesn't rely on the violence. ..only has it in spurts when it is needed to make an advancement while we are introduced to a world trying to find its identity when everything seemed to be gone and lost from the past. There is so much going on that it is far superior to the show. The talking never drags on and you don't feel like it ever with the books. Kirkman and company do a great job and show why the books have caught on like they have.

The Scarlet Gospels by Clive Barker

So, Clive Barker has 3 signature characters loved by his fans from his writings and movies; Candyman, Pinhead and Harry D'Amour. Two of those characters meet in his new novel The Scarlet Gospels as Harry and the Hell Priest (he really does hate the name Pinhead) square off in Hell! This may not be the crossover of Barker characters you have heard about rumored for years (as Candyman 4 was supposed to feature Pinhead) but this is the one that is the most realistic and, I guess, works the best! This book has all the classic traits you would expect from a Clive Barker novel. Maybe shorter then some but longer than his classic novellas, there is action, jokes, morbidness, innuendo by the book load and many twists and turns along the way. His writing is really top notch as this is something enjoyable for both new and long time fans alike. There is a lot happening and it makes it hard to put the book down at times. Barker also takes on the ultimate challenge in painting a picture of both Hell and the Devil himself. The images that he creates are powerful much like his characters. You can almost picture of the characters, sights and smells of Hell. As well, everything is wrapped up in what appears to be the final adventure with the question being, for who or for both characters. If you want to find out grab this novel or else I'm telling the Hell Priest that you called him Pinhead, you won't like what he does to you then.

Big Trouble in Little China (#11)

So, Lo'Pan wants power over life and death, Egg is in hell looking for Ol' Burton and Jack is off to the Hell of cold and ice to stop him after the bar they were washing dishes at (The Last Bar in Hell) fell apart. Sounds about right eh? This series has been one laugh after another while being enjoyable to fans. The art is great as it brings to life the characters we love in the sequal that never got to happen. John Carpenter could not have written a better story and Eric Powell could not have drawn better. They brought you everything you loved about the original and left nothing out.

Frankenstein Underground (#3)

So, we have the new issue as Frankie battles a race below the surface, 2 men of science (one who wishes to take him apart) and some corpses who need his help as he finds the lies that they keep. There is a lot happening and the monster is in the middle of it all. This is Mignola at his best outside of Hellboy but still in that world. How he always ties it all together and tells such great stories I'll never know. Oh! Stenbeck's art is fantastic! I just wonder what will happen next and all end later.