February 2015 Comic Book Reviews

Ghosted Vol. 3: Death Wish
Joshua Williamson, Goran Sudzuka, Davide Gianfelice
Image Comics
Street: 12.23.14
A mixture of heist films like Ocean’s Eleven, the humor of Supernatural, and a dash of X-Files, this volume continues Jackson T. Winters’ paranormal escapades. As a kleptomaniac Hellblazer protagonist with a fuck-off attitude, he’s out of jail and forced to examine a haunting epidemic: ghost stalkers. Reports of bloody messages and overrun mental institutions bring together action, adventure and spooky voodoo. Is it all an elaborate illusion or dark magic? Joshua Williamson’s (Nailbiter, Birthright) script proves that there’s room to explore the darkness and still have humor. He nods to classic horror tropes like The Exorcist and The Wicker Man with a bit of Shaun of the Dead. Winters and his unexpected cohorts travel to secret society black markets to find the link between a string of demon possessions, virgin sacrifices, and hauntings. Davide Gianfelice (Northlanders, Greek Street) draws the majority of this volume’s art, and his style combines bright color with creepy shadows that shine from slain stalker scenes and the theatre of the dead. It’s bloody, but not self-indulgent with the gore—it’s a more fun alternative to Kirckman’s Outcast. Simply an enjoyable read for fans of Revival, Hellblazer (sure, Constantine), and Goners. –Taylor Hoffman 


HIT: 1955
Story by: Bryce Carlson
Art by: Vanesa R. Del Rey
Boom! Studios
12.10.14
The name of this graphic novel could double as its tagline. Set in a gritty and dangerous mid-’50s Los Angeles, HIT: 1955 follows the debaucherous and somewhat corrupt escapades of Detective Harvey Slater in a nearly faultless bit of classic American hard-boiled noir. Collecting all four issues from HIT’s limited run, this book is stacked full of additional art, writing, character bios and a glowing introduction from the award-winning crime author Duane Swierczynski—making this a treat for any fan of the genre to own. If you have any level of interest in detective and/or it’s noir fiction, then be sure to swing by your local comic book shop and pick this up without ado. Harvey Award–nominated for a reason: Carlson knows how to pack a punch—and R. Del Rey know how to make each punch look glorious. Look for Boom! Studios to continue Det. Slater’s rugged misadventures in March 2015 with HIT: 1957 #1. –John Ford

The Killer Omnibus Vol. 2
Matz
Archaia
Street: 08.26.14
The Killer, originally a French comic, follows the tales of the nameless Killer: a professional assassin with a string of bad luck. It’s not a comedy but rather a story rich with twists, turns and drama. Honestly, it’s a book worthy of its own show on the USA Network. In this second volume, the Killer has retired to Mexico after a series of poorly executed assassinations. Of course, an assassin can never really retire, and he must deal with attempts made on his own life. Women, action, tropical locales and ghosts of the Killer’s past, the comic reads exactly like a Mission: Impossible movie, and makes for a great read while you’re looking for something to fill the void between James Bond movies. –Rebecca Frost