Alice Cooper, Volume 1: Welcome To My Nightmare
Written by Joe Harris and Brandon Jerwa (issue 6)
Art by Eman Casallos and Nacho Tenorio (issue 6)
Colors by Aikau Oliva
Inks by Sergio Mora (issue 6)
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by David Mack
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 19, 2015
Cover Price: $24.99

Metal heads rejoice! Alice Cooper Volume 1: Welcome To My Nightmare is now available as a graphic novel! Collecting the first six issues of the series, this comic is everything you would expect from Alice Cooper. From the over-the-top ideas to the humorous and the horrific, you won’t be disappointed. It looks like the stage presentation was adapted for sequential art, and then embellished a tad.

The story time jumps a little, showing past and present intermittently, in order to further the plot. Alice, it seems, made some poor decisions in this version of his career. Those choices led him down the dark path of the damned. This volume explores what led Alice to this path, and how he seeks to break free of his hellion masters. Much like his album of the same name, this story involves the trials and tribulations of a young boy. This is possibly more than just a plot device for redemption, it might just be meant to mirror that iconic record in more than just title. Using the child as a pawn of sorts, different forces are at work to either free or enslave the rock star known as Alice Cooper.

If the tale was meant to scare, it missed. There was a lot of mirth to be found in the comic, to be sure. Some of it slightly humorous, much of it dark. But all of it was Alice Cooper worthy. If you haven’t seen his stage shows, then you are missing out, but this series is a pretty decent snapshot of what he strives to present while performing (especially since several panels show him on stage).

I’m not sure what inspired a change up in the creative team since I was truly taken with the writing of Joe Harris in the first five issues, but obviously there was a switch in issue six when Brandon Jerwa took over scripting for the series. The same thing happened with the art. Eman Casallos drew the first five, and Nacho Tenorio assumed the artistic helm starting with the sixth. The rest of the group stayed the same, other than Sergio Mora inking issue six. It’s my guess Eman handled it up until then. David Mack‘s covers are, as always is the case, superb. I love that I’m seeing his artwork on more and more covers across the different comic companies. But regardless of who comprised the group, all of the comics that make up this graphic novel are outstanding. So don’t let the changes deter you.

I would recommend this to any metal fan, horror fan, or anyone who is a fan of theatrics. The trademark pyrotechnics and abundance of snakes and macabre effects are there for the reading. I enjoyed it immensely and hope to see more in the future. My final word on it is to definitely go for it. You’ll have a blast!

I must also note the timing of this release. While there is no connection other than the one in my head, I keep humming “School’s Out,” Alice’s first true mega hit. See! Now you’re thinking about it, too! It’s a classic hard rock song; some might even say anthem. I’ll just leave you with that. You’re welcome.