The Occultist, Volume 2: At Death’s Door
Created by Mike Richardson
Story by Mike Richardson and Tim Seeley
Script by Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton
Color by Allen Passalaqua
Letters by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Cover and Chapter Break Art by Steve Morris
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: June 25, 2014
Cover Price: $16.99

As I’m sure you probably gleaned from the title, this graphic novel is centered around mystical powers. And if that’s all that The Occultist, Volume 2: At Death’s Door had going for it, it would still be a darn fine read. But fortunately for us, there is more going on here than you might first think. This is not your typical supernatural story, not by any means.

Since this was a miniseries originally, it is exceptionally nice that the writers included a couple of pages of back story to help new readers. Most of the time we don’t get that luxury. The premise here is a young man named Rob Bailey has been given the power of an ancient tome entitled The Sword. Following the loss of his trusted friend and mentor, Rob teams up with a local detective to stop the demons and the undead from seizing power and killing innocents. And that leads us to the current chain of events in this five issue series.

The Occultist #1
Created by Mike Richardson
Written by Mike Richardson and Tim Seeley
Art by Mike Norton
Color by Allen Passalaqua
Letters by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Covers by Steve Morris, Paolo Rivera
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

I’ve got a confession to make here, I chose to review this comic based solely on the title. I love horror comics and when a book is entitled The Occultist #1, I immediately think of Lovecraft, Cthulhu, and the like. So I dove in with some preconceived expectations, most of which never presented themselves. But hey, can’t blame a guy for trying…right?

Now, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression here. This wasn’t a bad book, quite the contrary. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. The main character, Rob Bailey, is in possession of an ancient artifact called The Sword. He’s described as a “mild-mannered college student,” but that just made me think of a certain super man masquerading as a newspaper reporter. I assume this was done purposefully, sort of tongue in cheek you might say. But Rob is a young man trying to unlock the secrets to this cryptic power he has been given. He’s not flying around saving the world…he’s saving it one haunted house at a time.

Mars Attacks The Holidays
One-Shot
Written by Fred Hembeck, Bill Morrison, Ian Boothby & Dean Haspiel
Art by Fred Hembeck, Bill Morrison, Tone Rodriguez, Alan Robinson & Dean Haspiel
Colors by Phil Elliot, Ronda Pattinson, Kote Carvajal & Allen Passalaqua
Letters by Fred Hembeck & Chris Mowry
Covers by Bill Morrison, Dean Haspiel, Fred Hembeck, Phil Elliot, Alan Robinson, Kote Carvajal & Chris Giarrusso
IDW Publishing
Release Date: October 31, 2012
Cover Price: $7.99

Mars Attacks The Holidays runs the gambit. From goofy to heartbreaking and back again, it’s one heck of a great read. And I have to tip my hat to IDW Publishing for putting out an actual HOLIDAY special this year! They’re one ahead of any other company out there in that respect.

OK, there’s a LOT of ground to cover, so I’ll try and get right to it and not bog you down too much. First off, there’s four stories here, each representing a different holiday. Included are Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Fred Hembeck’s Halloween story is typical Fred Hembeck. It’s set in the 1950s and follows a Happy Days like family on a trick or treat excursion, and later a Halloween party where things go…awry, thanks to three Martians who tag along. It’s funny and goofy from the first panel to last, and is, in my opinion, the best in the book.

It Girl and the Atomics #4
Created by Michael Allred
Written by Jamie S. Rich
Art by Mike Norton
Colors by Allen Passalaqua
Letters and Design by Crank!
Image Comics
Release date November 21, 2012
Price: $2.99

Greetings, GoDers! Groonk here to deliver all the comics reviews that’s fit to post. This week I bring you the closing chapter in the first story arc of It Girl and the Atomics.

It’s the battle that was always meant to happen when It Girl faces off against a deranged, gamer/stalker that turns out to be her big sister. Or is it?

In this issue we learn of two sisters: Nana (LaLa Wah-Wah) and Luna (It Girl). Luna always looked up to her big sister Nana. Then came the magic space goo that turned them and all their friends in mutants. That’s when the magic carpet ride that we all know as superhero comics kicks into overdrive.

Hack/Slash #13
Written by Tim Seeley
Art by Emilio Laiso
Colors by Carlos Badilla
Letters by Crank!
Edits by James Lowder
Covers by Tim Seeley & Allen Passalaqua and Ben Templesmith
Image Comics
Release Date: February 29, 2012
Cover Price: $3.50

I’ve been a Cassie Hack fan for quite some time, but Hack/Slash #13 is the first time I have had the chance to review the comic. I have long been impressed with Tim Seeley‘s writing and the way he manages to make every comic fun from start to finish. This issue was no exception, I thoroughly enjoyed the story (though I wish there was more Vlad in this one).

Kicking off a comic with velociraptors is an awesome way to begin a story. Closer interaction with them, however, changes more than one character’s opinion of them. I even enjoyed the Jurassic Park movie reference. I mean, really…who doesn’t love raptors?