July 1

Tales from the Crypt #4 Crypt-Keeping it Real

by Stefan Petrucha, Alex Simmons, Scott Lobdel, Joe R. Lansdale, John R. Lansdale, Aries Kaplan, Jim Salicrup
Papercutz, 2008
ISBN: 9781597071055
Available: New

It’s easy to look past some of the cheesiness in this volume of Tales From the Crypt because not only do the writers tap into some very pop culture places, but they really hit a fantastic stride of length here, capitalizing on the graphic format to add to the story instead of merely translating the tales from one medium into another. The first segment, “You Toomb”, is a collection of short tales with a roller-coaster, bottom-dropping feeling, is set up as if the reader is watching a series of Internet videos, all of which are classic Tales from the Crypt-style horror. “Roses Bedight” by Stefan Petrucha in this section is particularly good, almost the sort of tale you’d expect to find in Apex Digest.

With this volume the Crypt crew has found a good balance between fresh and modern and that classic Crypt feel. The monsters are cartoony rather than stomach-turning, making this book particularly good for a young adult section where readers want scary creatures and plots, but aren’t ready for hardcore gore and adult situations.

Review for MonsterLibrarian.com

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June 4

Tales from the Crypt #3: Zombilicious

Click to buy
Click to buy

Tales from the Crypt #3: Zombilicious by Mort Todd, Marc Bilgrey, Jared Gniewek, Jim Salicrup, Allison Acton, Rick Parker, and illustrated by Steve Mannion and Exes
Papercutz, 2008
ISBN: 9781597070911
Available: New

For horror fans this is just the sweetest little book–a digest-sized hard back collection of four (new) Tales from the Crypt comic stories, a complete throwback to horror’s roots modernized with slick art and shiny packaging. This volume features four tales; “Extra Life” by Neil Klied and Chris Noeth, “Queen of the Vampires” by Marc Bilgrey and Mr. Exes, “Graveyard Shift at the Twilight Gardens” by Rob Vollmar and Tom Smith 3 and “Kid Tested, Mother Approved” by Jared Gneiwek and James Romberger.

Oddly enough, in spite of the title, none of these tales feature a zombie (though there is a vampire). If you loved the old cheesy Tales from the Crypt comics and HBO show this book is right up your alley. Its literary merit is debatable, making its place in collections lean more toward those that include comprehensive or pop-culture titles than high brow, classic-worthy tales. But if horror is your passion, this book is eye-catching, familiar, and utterly groan-worthy.

Reviewed for MonsterLibrarian.com

Category: Humor, monsterlibrarian | Comments Off on Tales from the Crypt #3: Zombilicious