Comic Book Review - This Comic Is Haunted #2

The Grey Phantom returns to peddle his frightful wares…

Not content with letting sleeping ghouls lie, Dave Heeley has once again treaded into the depths of his cellar to bring us 40-pages of fiendish chills, pin-ups, and history lessons. With the return of some old haunts, and some fresh meat, does This Comic is Haunted #2 hit the same goosebumps as its opening horror-filled salvo? 

Well dear reader, come with me as we enter the crypt to find out!

As Heeley’s alter ego mentions on the opening page “the first issue was so successful that I fear some readers may never recover!” and he’s absolutely correct. The launch issue not only filled a gap in the market for horror-based comics, it also set its own bar incredibly high. That being said, with the opening issue out of the way - and it’s readers hooked into returning - the team can really start to open the horror up, and experiment with the formula. 

The Lodger - Part 2 (Jo Heeley, Ian Stoppforth, Andrew Richmond)

Created by Jo Heeley, and Ian Stopforth, The Lodger deals with a supernatural mystery set within a modern day tower block. Without spoiling too much of the story, this second part is way to short. Limited to just four pages, Heeley introduces new characters to the narrative, but due to the page count they just seem to appear in the moment. However, even with this limitation on the story, it’s still shaping up to be a bloody good one. It’s no secret that the Heeley’s grew up on a diet of horror movies, and here Jo is allowed to run amok inside her own haunted house - albeit over four criminally short pages!

Stopforth also adds to the atmosphere of The Lodger with plenty of striking artwork that really plays into the spooky goings on. The close-up view points give away a claustrophobic feeling that throws you straight into the situation that’s unfolding. 

Roll on part 3! 

The Drummer From Hell - Part 2 (Alan Hebden, Lee Millmore)

Continuing the adventures of musical duo Steve and Maria, Hebden uses this second episode to shed light onto the mystery that surrounds Strøm. Much like a poorly kept secret it turns out that Strøm is from a world much higher - or should that be lower - than our own. As a fallen angel, the drummer has pissed off quite a few people, and some of the more “hellish” kind are coming for some revenge. What then follows is another war of the worlds as Steve and Maria get dragged ever more into a situation they still don’t fully understand. 

It’s two perfect episodes for Hebden and Millmore. Not only do we get plenty of world building as Hebden starts to flesh out Strøm and introducing us and his main characters to the supernatural world they unknowingly inhabit. Millmore then adds to this with some incredible black & white artwork that captures the 60’s setting, albeit with a heavy metal feel. 

A Doctor Van Helsing Mystery: The Collector (John Short, Chris Askham, Andrew Richmond) 

From previously reviewing Short’s Helga Frankenstein, and Askham’s Switchblade Stories, I knew straight away that this one was going to be a great read. Short start things off fairly simple as Dr. Van Helsing is called to what outwardly looks like a simple murder investigation. The body belongs to Herbert Van Der Born, who appears to have been pecked to death by a flock of birds. However with Van Helsing you know it’s not that simple. With the turn of a page, Short then allows the Dr. to do his work as he discovers a more sinister motive behind the murder. 

Clearly inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, Short has given a new perspective to the Van Helsing character - one that leans into his side away from being a simple monster slayer. Askham then invokes the golden age of comics feel with a grand display of his signature art style that acts as the perfect accomplice to this story. With a whole heap of ways this one could go, I’m hoping the Grey Phantom allows John Short and Chris Askham to bring this one back! 

FML (Dave Heeley, Paul McCaffrey, Andrew Richmond)

FML which I can only assume stands for “Fun Monster Lovers” gives us an interesting alternative to the classic zombie apocalypse. Told from the perspective of hapless window cleaners Frank and Bill, we see the duo thrown into the midst of a zombie epidemic. To really say anything else will spoil the experience, however Dave Heeley and Paul McCaffey really do pull the rug out from under our feet. 

With plenty of dark humour from Heeley, coupled with McCaffrey’s art - seriously look at that character work - FML remains with you long after it’s quite shocking ending. 

The Only One…(Christopher Davidson, Ade Hughes, Andrew Richmond) 

Things start to turn dark as Davidson and Hughes bring us a short, sharp tale that goes hard with its shock factor. Over for pages we follow an individual as he goes to some pretty shocking lengths to rid the world of those he deems different. 

The Only One… is quite an ambiguous strip as it’s meaning can be interpreted in many differing ways. For me it was an analogy of someone coping with their mental health as we follow the individual as they dispose of their work and home issues. I could go into quite a deep dive into the why I think this, but work and home issues are something we all have experience with. The other way is that I could be looking too much into it this, and it’s a simple - yet effective - monster hiding in plain sight tale. Either way, unless Christopher Davidson gives more clarity this is one that’ll ask for your own judgement. 

The Bones of Winter: Chapter Two (Dave Heeley, Mark Marren)

On the search for answers about his missing sister, Jack has found himself back to where it all began - in a cave network under the village streets. In search of the one who gave him his powers, will Jack find the answers he seeks? 

Chapter two starts to get into the meat of the story. Heeley gives us some ideas as to who Jack is, and what his powers are as we’re introduced to Black Annis. We’re also shown his sisters disappearance and it’s alluded to that someone else may be involved. Of course things aren’t so simple and to get more answers Jack needs to run an errand for Black Annis. As such Heeley then sows the seeds as to what comes next with Jack heading off to Glastonbury. Simple right? 

Marren ditches the black & white style that set up the opening chapter, to stick with full colour across this second episode. For the most the choice of colour palette is quite vibrant, yet things of get gloomy and dark when Heeley’s script calls for it. 

Short Sharp Shocks Presents…It’s Alive! (Lew Stringer) 

And of “curse” in what’s becoming a tradition to The77 Publications productions Lew Stringer rounds things up with yet another one of his classic one-page strips. This time the veteran storyteller gets his teeth into the classic tale of Dr. Frankenstein and his creation. It’s quick, and to the point, with a great ending that did raise a chuckle from this old dead husk of a reader. It’s also yet another example of Stringer doing what he does best! 

But wait! Could there be yet another strip lurking in the shadows ready to add more to This Comic is Haunted’s spooky editor? 

Welcome To The Grey Phantoms…Haunted History (David Thomas, Andrew Richmond) 

Rounding off this second issue is spooky thought for those of you who ever find themselves on the streets after dark, hear voices in the wind, or even the origins of the term “ghost story”. 

Much like It’s Alive! before it, Haunted History acts as a nice mignardise to the whole This Comic Is Haunted meal. It leaves you with a three urban myths, and ultimately shows that the Grey Phantom is quite the history buff! 

Who would of thought? 

Overall and This Comic Is Haunted #2 is another great example of why horror comics need to be more mainstream. While it just misses out on topping that launch issue, with the pressure off it does allow Dave Heeley, and his gaggle of creators to mix up the formula, and try out new ideas. With plenty of variation to strips, themes, ideas, and talent, This Comic Is Haunted is both a great addition to The77 family, and worthy of anyone’s comic book shelves! 

This Comic Is Haunted #2 is available now and can be purchased from The77 Publications online store by clicking here. 

Liked this review and want to support the blog further? Please head on over to: Ko-Fi.com/GeekCultureRev. Thank you for your time!

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow us on Twitter/Facebook @GeekCultureRev, and TikTok/YouTube @Geekculturereviews.