From The 77 Publishing, Various Creators
Review by Luke Williams
This Comic Is Haunted is The 77’s horror title, a homage to the fondly remembered but very short-lived 1980s title, Scream!, which punched far above its weight in relation to its publication life, and has recently been revived by Rebellion.
Like IPC titles from that period, This Comic is Haunted (TCIH) is hosted by a fictional “editor” – the Grey Phantom, who introduces a bumper issue, running to a big fat 72 pages, offering plenty of material, and a good long read.
This Comic Is Haunted #4 is presented as a flip book, coming with two covers and, as I was reviewing the digital edition lots of tablet flipping and screen locking were involved in reading it. Each side has a suitably creepy and beautifully rendered cover: a grim graveyard scene from Simon Hall, complemented by Jame’s Fletcher’s more tongue-in-cheek work, which should draw chuckles from readers of a certain age. Cleverly, a Grey Phantom strip bookends each side, and blends into the beginning of the other side of the book.
The editorial team have included a range of horror genres in this issue. Present are contemporary horror, apocalyptic, Lovecraftian, Hammer inspired period horror and… western? Like everything else from The 77, the presentation and production is top notch, with art editor Andrew Richmond providing the lettering on most strips.
Representing contemporary horror, Jo Heeley and Ian Stopforth’s “The Screaming Skull” wraps up with its second episode of exorcism and family breakdown. Not scary, but certainly spooky, set in the grounded and mundane surrounding of a council flat enhanced by the atmospheric visuals from Stopforth. For me, it’s more successful than Stopforth’s other contribution to the package, “Swamped”. Written by Mike Powell, it’s again beautifully drawn, with suitably lurid colouring, but this two-page swipe at advertising copywriting lacks a sufficient pay off.
A similar issue troubles “Together”, written by Mark Spencer, with detailed black and white art from Ade Hughes. A one-off about a relationship that ends with a twist that perhaps is a bit too subtle for yours truly. It’s a good idea, that lacks something in its execution.
The silent “Noche de La Bruja” by Russell Fox, looks nice (in a horror kind of way, obviously). Fox’s monochrome art has something of the Simon Harrison’s style about it, and is probably the most horrific of the strips in the package. However, there’s not much meat to the story. It’s not helped by the message in the title page, although superbly drawn, being very difficult to read, although this ismore your reviewer’s problem. Without giving too much away, it’s redolent of Stephen Bissette’s Taboo.
In “Mutha’s Sun”, written by Adam Clough, with art by Gary O’Donnell, lettered by Bhuna, a hooded figure with Yin/Yan symbols on the back of his hands searches for a young girl. Our protagonist kidnaps and tortures those who he feels may be responsible, like a scythe toting, Doc Marten wearing, punk grim reaper. There are signs and portents to a backstory, but it’s early days and there are more questions than answers. Nicely detailed art and layouts from O’Donnell.
Alexus Savage and Ade Hughes end of the world tale “Aimee Kaine” debuts, stays long enough to give hints to the backstory, intriguing as it is, but little else. Making effective use of sepia tones, Hughes’s very detailed linework and spot colour give it a suitably sombre atmosphere. This is definitely one to watch.
“The Hand Of God In The Eyes Of Nature” is Dan Pollard and Gary Burley’s nod to HP Lovecraft. Following the opening chapter in issue 3, our heroine Agatha’s father continues to explain what he and his compatriots have let loose on the world. Burley use of cross hatching, sepia wash helps the atmosphere as we experience sacrifice, redemption, and a need to put a genie back in its bottle. The story is slow, perhaps, but building nicely.
Dr. Van Helsing presents two mysteries, written by John A. Short and drawn by Adam Jakes. “The Vigil” is a haunted house story, and “The Curse”, where our hero needs to explain mysterious death but connected deaths. Jakes makes more use of grey tones in “The Curse”, the flip side that “The Vigil” is more stark, with great use of blacks and arguably more striking. Both strips also have appearances from some well-known movie stars that have connections to the horror genre. The stories are well plotted and scripted, but, sadly, the endings are a little telegraphed and not the twists they want to be.
Craig Dawson and Damian Edwardson’s “The Harsh Truth of The Camera’s Eye” may make you think twice of attending a séance. Well structured and great art and storytelling from Edwardson, though again, like some of the other one offs, there’s not really much of a twist.
The western contribution comes from writer Dave Heeley and artist and letterer Giuseppe D’Elia’s “El Hombre Sin Alma”. It’s the opening episode of a western with a supernatural spin, as our protagonist relates his current “circumstances”. D’Elia has a nice fluid line, with excellent use of grey tones. Pacing for a first episode is good, enough to engage the reader without overwhelming. Having said that, compared with the other new starter this issue “Aimee Kaine”, “El Hombre” has double the page count, and that’s going to help.
The bridging one-page “Grey Phantom” strips by David Thomas and Andrew Richmond are fluff and (grim) fun, the “Silver Coin Moon” codas are arty and atmospheric. Both add flavour to the TCIH stew.
Going forward, the editorial team may want to consider fewer, but longer strips – particularly for opening episodes of series. “Aimee Kane” would definitely have benefited from a longer opening episode. Like the two other serial debuts this issue the reader is left with merely a taster.
There is a good balance both in genres and tone, and in colour and black and white strips. The art and writing is a very high standard throughout and there are great strips present.
Good value for money for £10, roll on Issue 5.
Luke Williams
• This Comic is Haunted #4 and other The77 titles are available online here | The77 Official Site | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Features, Reviews
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