The Three Best Indie Horror Comix
Halloween 2023 by Heretic
Its the Spookiest month of the year and with Halloween just mere days away, the good man and Co-Founder of IndieComiX known as the Heretic decided to drop by to talk about some Spooktacular tales!
THE BEST OF THARG’S TERROR TALES
2000 AD
Creative Team: Al Ewing, Chris Weston, Si Spurrier, Mark Millar, and many more!
Summary: From the deepest, darkest recesses of the Nerve Centre vaults, the eerie alien editor of 2000 AD known as Tharg the Mighty presents the creepiest tales to ever grace the pages of the galaxy’s greatest Comic!
This fear-filled anthology introduces one-off stories full of ghosts, demons, mutants and killers and is thick with atmosphere, dark humour and mind-blowing twists. Written and illustrated by some of the biggest names in the comic book industry, this collection features strips by Mark Millar, Al Ewing, Simon Spurrier, Chris Weston, Richard Elson and Eric Bradbury amongst others.
The Best of Tharg’s Terror Tales begins with a tribute, not only to Creepshow and Eerie Comics, but to horror comics in general, used to delightful and deliberate effect.
This blissful anthology refers to the idea that a narrative should establish the likeability, and or disdain of its main characters within their respective stories by having them, for example, telling a ghost story only to have said ghost make a victim of the narrator. A timeless trope indeed. Each story is illustrated in an aesthetic reminiscent of the vintage horror comics this title pays tribute to. If you’re hungry for Halloween horror this is the one to buy.
MISTY 45 YEARS OF FEAR
2000 AD
Creative Team: Pat Mills, Malcolm Shaw, Lizzie Boyle, Kristyna Baczynski (w) John Armstrong, Mario Capaldi, Brian Delaney, Jaume Rumeu, Jordie Badia Romero, Isidre Mones, David Roach, Mary Safro (a) Dylan Teague (c) Simon Bowland, Mary Safro (l)
Summary: “The most peculiar, imaginative and challenging work in British comics ” -The New Statesman
In 1978 British comics were changed forever with the release of Misty, the classic cult horror comic for girls. Masterminded by Pat Mills, the original editor of 2000 AD, this weekly comic featured the best comics talent working on haunting, terrifying tales. From high 70s glamour to chilling stories that have haunted readers for decades, this Essential Collection curates the creepiest, campest Misty serials and short stories alongside critical essays, in a volume perfect for readers old and new.
It is a real shame that many Americans are not commonly aware of British horror comics, much less the trail-blazing publication “Misty“, which was founded by the original editor of 2000 AD Pat Mills. In 1978 this now cult classic proved that horror comics weren’t just for boys. Misty targeted girl readers and they were successful. For 45 years they were a staple of British horror comics.
In this collection there are pacts with the devil, schoolgirl sacrifice, the ghosts of hanged girls, sinister cults, evil scientists experimenting on the innocent and terrifying parallel worlds where the Nazis won the second world war. One-off stories see troublemaking protagonists being punished in fantastic fashion. And more than the fabulous and haunting illustrations by John Armstrong, Jordi Badia Romero, and Jesus Redondo, there are short stories in text. Unlike Terror Tales, which is merely an homage to the Golden Age of horror comics, Misty is the legitimate artifact. Buy it. Read it. Love it. You’re welcome.
A HAUNTED GIRL #1
Syzygy Publishing/Image Comics
Creative Team: Ethan and Naomi Sacks, Marco Lorenzano, Joe Quesada, and Jamie Martinez
Summary: Cleo, a 16-year-old adopted Japanese-American whose anxiety and depression drives her to suicidal thoughts, is fresh out of the hospital and trying unsuccessfully to reintegrate back into her old life. What she doesn’t know is that her struggles are just beginning as she finds herself encountering an increasingly terrifying succession of ghosts. Is she losing her grip on reality… or is the explanation much, much worse?
Within the first three pages of this Japanese inspired horror story the tone is set with chilling illustrations and minimal dialogue. The introduction to Cleo via this frightening opening heightens the self-awareness present throughout this comic that strengthens the reader to turn the page. What we learn from her backstory is something I do not want to spoil. Not only is it good story-telling, it’s visually pleasing. Being told “the fate of all life is in your hands” does not instill our heroine with the desire to embrace a supernatural fate. And that is a choice we are left hanging with as we read those most dreaded words, To Be Continued.
Editor’s Note: Each series is in stores and awaiting your hands upon them!
