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After a brief aside, we are back with Graphic Content this week. Last time we returned to the pages of the classic 1972 run of Swamp Thing. If you haven’t read my coverage of ol’ Swampy, consider checking out all the stuff I have written about my favorite DC Comics character! However, we now return to a Last Podcast comic and some new books.

We have Sweetie: Candy Vigilante from Dynamite Entertainment and a new Mike Mignola-penned comic, Leonine the Vampyr, from Dark Horse. We also return to the world of Soul Plumber this week, the Last Podcast comic, after I never finished the run over a year ago! Oops!

Soul Plumber #2 - a Last Podcast comic from DC Horror

Soul Plumber #2

I read Soul Plumber #1 about a year ago and never had a chance to sit down and read the following issues, so this week’s Graphic Content gives me a chance to catch up, starting with #2. This issue follows up directly with Edgar’s earnest but misguided attempt at soul plumbing on a local man named Scuzz, which goes about as well as you’d expect from the minds of Henry Zebrowski, Marcus Parks, and Ben Kissel. The series is part of the DC Comics horror imprint.

The story is sacrilegious and gross and carries the general aesthetics of projects in the orbit of Last Podcast on the Left and Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. It is pretty much what the target audience expects. It is quite fun. There is also some fun plot trajectory by the end of the issue as Edgar and Elk seek to clean up a mess, and two forces appear to have an interest in Edgar in particular. I am also intrigued by the entity that is Blorb and its interest in the realm of humans.

The art continues to suit the writing quite well, with fun combinations of gore, vomit, and liquid shit when needed. John McCrea and PJ Holden’s art carries plenty of texture; plus, the grungy colors of Mike Spicer help this version of Indianapolis feel lived in. The mild screen tones add a little more texture here and there.

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Overall, the Last Podcast comic delivers what you’d expect.

Impressions of Soul Plumber #2

My impression of Soul Plumber, two issues in now, is that it will be an acquired taste. It probably isn’t for every horror comic fan. The particularly gross-out nature of the supernatural elements is much more tongue-in-cheek than other horror series. I enjoy it, but I am also a fan of Last Podcast on the Left. When it comes down to it, the comic is pretty much for the show’s fans – a true Last Podcast comic. The storytelling isn’t groundbreaking, but it is funny. The art is gross but cool. This is just a fun little ride without rattling the cages of comics too much. We’ll see how much soul is left to plumb in the remaining run. 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Soul Plumber #2 is written by Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and Ben Kissel. John McCrea and PJ Holden illustrate the comic. You can find more about the comic from DC Comics or your local comic shop. You can learn more about the Last Podcast comic team at their official website.

Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1 - a violent, candy-coated comic from Osaka Popstar

Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1

You have a problem when your issue synopsis says more about your comic than what is said in the comic. To say I was unimpressed by this comic is putting it in the most diplomatic way possible. Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1 is also based on a character designed for an Osaka Popstar album which seems to be a branding attempt for the band.

The writing annoyed me by spending excessive time in a scene that said nothing, complete with unnecessary and pointless moments of sexual assault and inane dialogue. The story offers nothing that indicates any form of parody, so I found the whole approach by writer Suzanne Cafiero to be more annoying than entertaining.

I am okay with ridiculous violence and shocks for humor, but generally, those are supplemental to a story for me, and nothing here makes me want to read further.

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The art is okay, but Jeff Zornow’s style feels inconsistent between panels at key points. There are inconsistencies in figures, faces, and proportion shifts in many characters. Honestly, the art style here evokes the early to mid-2000s for me. It’s not terrible and pretty polished overall, but the style also feels uninspiring. Also, I saw a particularly blatant inconsistency in the dialogue balloons on one panel. How something like that slipped is concerning.

Impressions of Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1

Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1 is not the worst comic I’ve ever read, but I am struggling to justify the existence of this non-existent story. The comic seems like an indulgence of a band who came up with a sexy character for a project, but I do not see it being an ongoing thing beyond an arc. Given the issue comes packed in with Osaka Popstar’s take on The Archies’ “Sugar Sugar,” I don’t see this as much beyond a “why not” kind of project. 1 out of 5 stars (1 / 5)

Sweetie: Candy Vigilante #1 is written by Suzanne Cafiero. The comic is illustrated by Jeff Zornow and colored by Antonio Fabella. If you want to know more, you can pick up a copy from Dynamite Entertainment or your local comic shop.

Leonide the Vampyr - a one-shot from Mike Mignola

Leonide the Vampyr: Miracle at The Crow’s Head (One-Shot)

Another week, another Mike Mignola release. This time we get a one-shot from the Hellboy creator that evokes classic vampiric fables combined with a more all-ages setting and approach.

Granted, even for all ages, the story is dark and has a sinister air, but it is not overly grotesque or violent. It feels like a traditional, folkloric approach seen so often in Hellboy but also gives a sense of whimsy through the art. I do feel the story itself was a little light, however. I’d have difficulty justifying the single issue’s price of $4. The set-up of an ongoing story is also quite excellent.

One thing I am confused by: The title is listed as a one-shot by the cover, but the first page suggests Leonide’s adventures will be ongoing. Will there be a series of single self-contained issues? The issue implies as much.

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Rachele Aragno’s art is lovely here, finding a fantastic blend between the heavy shadows identified with Mignola’s own work but cartoony enough to work for the book’s tone. The character designs are pleasing, and the character of Leonide is quite striking in appearance. The story was a pleasure to read and to look at.

Leonide the Vampyr: Miracle at The Crow’s Head Impressions

Leonide the Vampyr looks as though it could be a good, ongoing series to introduce a younger set to creepy comics. It’s nice to have a comic that can provide a genuinely chilling effect but not be overly beholden to shock and gore. I think the price is a bit steep given the limited story, but a collected series seems like it would make an excellent library staple for the horror-curious kids out there.

I am eager to see what is next, but I certainly hope the ratio of story to price is better. 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5)

Leonide the Vampyr: Miracle at The Crow’s Head is written by Mike Mignola with art by Rachele Aragno and colors by Dave Stewart. If you want to know more, you can pick up a copy from Dark Horse Comics or your local comic shop.


What do you think about this week’s assembled comics? I think my winner for the week would be Soul Plumber #2, but what about you? Does this Last Podcast comic strike your fancy?

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Horror in graphic novels

Creepy Comics Collages by Jennifer Weigel, Part 5

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Well, you won’t get rid of me that easily… Ha ha, I lied about coming to the end and the afterlife in the Creepy Comics Collages segment, it was just an opportunity for rebirth. Besides, it’s World Collage Day! So having come into another comic book to rework, here we go again…

The Voice creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel
The Voice creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 9: The Voice (of God or Reason or perhaps an homage to my ex)

“Come to me my children, the voice of God awaits!… Don’t let them escape!” Please beam me up out of this weird comic collage alternate reality. “God I am your hand! Lift me… to your place. I commend my spirit!” I want to go back to dreaming about starfish.

The computer programmer behind the scenes turns to face us and smiles. “Guardians! This is a place of God!… Come to the true voice of God!” “I am everything.” “Come to the voice!” And the horrific AI generated creatures abide by his every coded word.

Just like last night in the — signs posted for Nightmare, No Exit. The deer spirit faun screams in surprise, “Eeek!” “No! I defy you!” She returns to the form of a little girl with arms outspread to the open sky. “Y’know, a day like today makes all the stuff that happened last night seem just like a bad dream!” The dream seems so real…

Somewhere in the city, the computer programmer sits up at night in pensive monologue, “You try to make a difference… But it doesn’t really matter.”

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The City creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel
The City creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 10: The City (Metropolis becomes self-aware)

This segment is brought to you by Dead Artists and Talking Dinosaurs. No really, wait for it…

Woooooo Uhhhh Wooooooo Uhhhh… Wump! Uff! Wump! Uff! “She belongs to The City!” The Glenn Fry 1985 hit single looms ominously overhead as Metropolis becomes self-aware. “The City… will live!… The City… will breathe!” The City gasps for air, “Got to… breathe!… Got to… Breathe!

Her breath is the wind… Her eyes are windows. Her heart pumps fluid through buried plumbing… “I’m The City!” Her mind is The City!

And we have a celebrity appearance by Rich Koz “Son of Svengoolie” WFLD 1973: “I take a nap for 10,000 years and look what happens… some-body builds a city!” Kerwyn chimes in, “Geez! Somebody’s been busy!” And we cut out to a scene of Svengoolie standing alongside his coffin.

Portrait of myself with dark makeup and crow skull headdress, backlit by the sun.
Portrait of myself with dark makeup and crow skull headdress, backlit by the sun.

Well, that’s all folks. Or is it? For now, any way… until I get more comic books… Duh duh DUHHHH…

If you want to see more art, check out more of Jennifer Weigel’s work here on Haunted MTL or on her writing, fine art, and conceptual projects websites.

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Horror in graphic novels

Creepy Comics Collages by Jennifer Weigel, Part 4

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Wow, I can’t believe you’ve stayed the course through four whole strange story posts of these creepy comics collages. But this is the final frontier, the last segment, the standing ovation as it were. So here goes…

The Grave creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 7: The Grave (shallow enough for ya?)

“It should take longer, it seems to all of them. Such holy flesh should not give before a blade so easily.” “His brow is growing so cold.” “Yes it would be. He’s dying.”

“My god… I’m not dead.” Put the shovel down. “Life is a no-win situation. Besides… You’re already dead!”

“I’m not dead. I’m not dead!… Oh, Oh my god… I can’t move… What’s happened to me?” Buried alive. Or maybe not.

“Dead?” Perhaps I am actually dead. I was expecting something… I dunno… different.

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“I’m not hungry, I’m dead. I’m not sure what I’m doing here, in fact.” At least I’m not a zombie. That seems a small consolation right now though. “My organs are shutting down. It is a relief.”

“Three days have already passed.” We’re just sitting here, rotting. Like Norman Bates’ Mother. At least someone was kind enough to supply a rocking chair. “Oh, one last thing before I go… You’re doing my fucking head in.”

Adrift Afterlife creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel
Adrift Afterlife creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 8: Adrift Afterlife (why you save the best gold coins for the ferryman)

How’d we get here? “I do not stand alone. I am sat in a boat.” “.. to be millions of miles away from any care in the world.” Was that the Ferryman? “Only liberty I know.”

“He does not remember arriving here, or if he has been here before. It is not the island he grew up on, though it feels so very familiar… He has been waiting for the night tides to come in, for they will bring starfish. He has always liked watching them cling to the beach before the current pulls them back into fathoms.”

“And the ocean brings him starfish… Perhaps his father had nothing to do with this place at all.” The ferryman stands on the far shore. It makes no difference now.

“Beneath the ocean, razor-sharp coral grows and plunges towards the surface, sent by a green place that would not like to burn.” “The sand is soft between his toes and he is not ashamed of anything.” The ghosts are here, contentedly it seems.

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Portrait of myself with dark makeup and crow skull headdress, backlit by the sun.

Thank you for joining us for these creepy comics collage art stories. But here’s where we have to leave it off. Trust me, it’s best that way. Besides I’m out of creepy comics to collage with.

If you want to see more art, check out more of Jennifer Weigel’s work here on Haunted MTL or on her writing, fine art, and conceptual projects websites.

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Horror in graphic novels

Creepy Comics Collages by Jennifer Weigel, Part 3

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We’re ba-ack… Are you ready for the next creepy comics collages graphic story overload? After the last time and the intermission I wasn’t sure I’d see you again, but here we are, together again. You’d almost think we put something in the water – wink.

Now where were we? Oh yeah, the world was going to hell… or was it?

Alien Invasion creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel
Alien Invasion creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 5: Alien Invasion (A Fist Full of Physics!!!)

“Elsewhere… months… earlier…” “It begins as a flicker pin-point of light getting closer ever closer until it takes form.” The sky is falling, damn you Chicken Little.

“…unconfirmed rumors of extraterrestrials have surfaced this evening following reported sightings in upstate New York earlier today.” There’s the news for you. Always blowing things up to increase viewership ratings.

“Then I would suggest a test immediately.” ‘K Doc, we get it; maybe there’s cause for concern. Guessing these aren’t friendlies based on intel, or that the government pissed them off. “Where’s William Shatner when you really need him?”

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“Next morning… City Hall…” “A Fist Full of Physics” Blamm-o! “As if that’s some kind of homage.” It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I was feeling fine but now I’m not so sure. “All of this is on your head.” You can thank the world governments with their shoot first, ask questions later policies for that.

“The act was deplorable. It’s ramifications were permanent.” Doc looks unamused. “And the doctor drones on in his cold monotone… ‘Then we all die.’”

Werewolves creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel
Werewolves creepy comics collage by Jennifer Weigel

Creepy Comics Story 6: Werewolves (Londoners, eat your hearts out)

“Fables Werewolves… no one can hear you howl.” So now we’re elbow-deep in lycanthropy? This story just keeps getting weirder and weirder…

“… I feel so… disoriented… is this vertigo?” No, you wouldn’t be so lucky. Once bitten, twice shy. It’s The Change. Prepare yourself for the transformation.

“Hello dear.”

“What now?” Enough with the damned interruptions already, can’t you see I’m at work?!

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“Shall we start a war?”

“No! No! Leave me alone! Leave me alone! No!

“What now?”

“I know one thing.” “Never will you suffer the indignity of this animal’s touch again.” The wolf seems somewhat offended by that statement. No really. And probably rightly so.

“Maybe it’s just an excuse, a fucking cop-out for when we inevitably fuck-up our lives and hurt people… We’re not cursed, we’re rotten, or mad or…”

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“I don’t deserve this!” he howls. Stop blaming the werewolves for your own human indecencies. Teacups get broken and the London werewolves get angry.

Portrait of myself with dark makeup and crow skull headdress, backlit by the sun.
Portrait of myself with dark makeup and crow skull headdress, backlit by the sun.

Thank you for going all in with us over this series, there’s… one… more… final… huzzah… In the meantime, check out more of Jennifer Weigel’s work here on Haunted MTL or on her writing, fine art, and conceptual projects websites.

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