Maybe it’s that I didn’t grow up with the comics so I can’t appreciate them like some people. Maybe it’s the relevance factor, the comics aren’t as well known now or as circulated as they once were. I’m not sure. But those reading those comics made me long for an anthology comic of my own, sure we have Dark Horse Presents and The Theater but neither of those have the same feeling that those comics did. But now we have something that channels those comics and fits into the modern horror mythos with Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave.
What I like most about this comic is that it is precisely that, a comic. It fits perfectly in your hands, it’s light, it’s a high quality production for something that has been created outside of the Big 2 or even the mainstream indie publishers.
It’s framed in the way you can imagine, much like the horror anthologies of old, with a host presenting the stories and offering a closing. In the case of this comic we of course have Bela Lugosi but also his two sidekicks, the sultry Nosferina and the bugeye’d hunchback Hugo. These were always my favorite parts from Creepy and Eerie, and it only helps for this comic that these three are funny, charming and enjoyable to read.
The stories in this comic have the right attitude that a horror anthology needs in this day and age. They’re quite humorous, often in the final panel, but spine chillingly bizarre up until the ending. But the humor is where this really shines in terms of writing. This comic is taking no prisoners on who a target can be, Batman, Harry Knowles, Popeye, and Twilight. Plus you can’t go wrong with the legendary Bela Lugosi cracking Twilight jokes.
A major selling point for this comic though should be the art. There are so many different styles inside with beautiful inking, and sometimes just fantastic pencil work, that there’s something in here for everyone. Not only is the comic art in it beautiful but each issue features a few great sketches of the late Lugosi by artists that are so real you would swear they’re photographs. The Lugosi sketches aren’t the only unique offerings here. Inside there’s also an interview with legendary make up artist Rick Baker, not to mention the back story is a Robot Chicken-esque comic told through photos of toys.
Bela Lugosi’s Tales from the Grave is a great comic. It has all the makings of a fantastic anthology, along with some great features that one would normally only expect in a magazine but are great additions. Put this one on your pull list kids. It’s got plenty of story and art to keep you satisfied and with the price tag of only $4.99 it’s got a lot more quality work put into it than most of the Big 2’s comics.
U.S. readers can find all of the Monsterverse books including Tales from the Grave on Amazon, Graphically, or on Facebook, and UK readers can get them at Hemlock Books.
