Haunted Horror, Vol. 1
Hardcover | Kindle Edition
Written by Various
Art by Various
Cover Warren Kremer
IDW Publishing
Release Date: November 26, 2013
Cover Price: $24.99

The world of pre-code comics, especially in the late 1940s and into the 1950s, was a wild, wild west of uncontrolled concepts and outlandish stories, and nowhere was this more evident than in the mother-disapproved horror comics. These comics were filled with ghastly tales, gory art, and a never-ending parade of chilling hosts from countless small publishers. The Haunted Horror series from IDW reprints a selection of these stories pulled from comics with such irresistible names as Weird Terror, This Magazine is Haunted, Worlds of Fear, and Web of Evil. Volume 1 here specifically collects the first three issues of Haunted Horror.

For those that may not be familiar this era’s horror comics outside of EC Comics, this is a lovingly put together collection that really showcases the range of macabre unleashed on the masses at the time and that EC in no way held the corner on the market. Featuring ghouls, ghosts, monsters, murder, mysticism, and revenge, there’s a new horror lurking behind the turn of each page.

Haunted Horror #5
Edited by Steve Banes, Clizia Gussoni, and Craig Yoe
Illustrated by Various
Colored by Various
Lettered by Uncredited
Cover by Tony Mortellaro (pencils) and Bernard Baily (inks)
IDW Publishing
Release Date: June 5, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

What do you get when you mix all-American sports gone wrong, voluptuous blondes in peril, and clumsy vampires? No, thankfully not another Twilight sequel, but instead the latest sampler of vintage horror’s greatest hits (and misses) in Haunted Horror #5 from IDW.

These seven tales of the bizarre and macabre were originally published in Golden Age favorites including Fantastic Fears, Voodoo, and Horrific, and their 1950s flavor definitely adds to their appeal today by providing a bit of a humorous distraction from the usual gore found in modern horror collections.

Ditko Monsters, Volume 1: Gorgo
Edited & Desinged by Craig Yoe
Produced by Clizia Gussoni
Comic Scripts by Joe Gill
Comic art by Steve Ditko
IDW Publishing
Release Date: March 19, 2013
Cover Price: $34.99

Ditko Monsters, Volume 1: Gorgo is a real treat for any fan of Steve Ditko, comics history, and giant monsters. This book is REALLY well done, looks gorgeous and is the latest in IDW Publishing’s home run of collecting older material.

First, let’s take a look at the book itself. It is incredible!! Writer Craig Yoe is an absolute authority on Steve Ditko’s Gorgo, and Gorgo in general. His introduction and text writing in the book is very interesting and gives you a TON of information on every aspect of Gorgo and the Gorgo comics. Keep in mind, this is NOT a trade paperback or graphic novel. Yes, it does reprint some Gorgo comics drawn beautifully by Steve Ditko, but it’s almost text book like in it’s reading. Some VERY informative and awesome stuff.

Popeye #1
Written by Roger Langridge
Art by Bruce Ozella
Colors by Luke McDonnell
Letters by Bruce Ozella
Covers by Bruce Ozella, Jules Feiffer and Bud Sagendorf
IDW Publishing
Release Date: April 25, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

He’s been everything from a comic character to a movie star. He’s had about a half dozen cartoon series, including one with his son, and his famous theme song will get stuck in your head for days if someone else even whistles a few bars of it. That’s right, everyone’s favorite sailor man returns to comics in Popeye #1!

A BIG thanks go to writer Roger Langridge for making a VERY fun comic book. It’s classic Popeye. Adventure at sea, fighting with Bluto, spinach. Everything that you want to see in a Popeye comic is here to enjoy.