Comic Book Review - This Comic is Haunted: Issue #4
The Grey Phantom returns once again for more fiendish thrills…
With Halloween just around the corner, Dave Heeley and Andrew Richmond have been busy in the crypt of the Grey Phantom to bring us another tantalising issue full of chills and thrills. We’re also at a turning point (quite literally) as not only is this issue a jumping-on point for the horror anthology - but it has quite a twist in the middle. What do I mean? Well, come with me as we enter the crypt!
With ‘77 Publishing’s previous issues, I will try to refrain from deep diving into each strip. I feel that these anthologies take away the overall enjoyment and mystery of what the creative team has in store.
As always there are a lot of strips included in This Comic is Haunted that outstrips its RRP of £9.94. Across this issue, we get a whopping 70 pages (not including both covers) full of spine-chilling tales, body shock horrors, and those tales that go bump in the night. For those who’ve yet to experience this unique comic anthology, this issue is the perfect jumping point. For everyone else issue #4 feels like the definitive This Comic Is Haunted experience.
Straight from the get-go, this issue offers two different ways to read with the anthology featuring a very interesting flip design. Regardless of what side you chose to read first doesn’t impact the overall experience as it’s only the central strip Sliver Coin Moon that’s affected by the flip in perspective. The only real issue I found with the flip book design is on a mobile phone I had to flip it upside down, which is something my auto-rotate had a real issue with. However, this is only a very small complaint if you could even call it that…
As always the calibre of writers is spot on with work from a plethora of talent across the comic spectrum. Long-time collaborators such as Jo Heeley, John A. Short, and Dave Heeley (well it is his comic after all), rub shoulders with newcomers such as Russell Fox, Adam Colclough, and Mark Spencer. The same can be said with the art as each strip is complimented with plenty of different styles and techniques that have been created by a selection of cross-industry greats.
While the entire collection is a chilling read, if I had to pick my top three it would be; Mutha’s Sun, Together, and The Vigil. I feel that these three strips show just how different This Comic is Haunted is from other horror-themed comics. However with that being said, as mentioned above - the whole anthology is a bloody good read!
Overall This Comic Is Haunted #4 continues the great work that Dave Heeley and Andrew Richmond started way back when in that first edition. Over the last couple of issues, the anthology has grown into its own and it’s great to see the continued support from all the talent involved. It’s certainly a comic to be proud of, and it’s worthy of a place on anyone’s bookshelf. If you’re after something that hits a little different - and leaves a mark - then This Comic Is Haunted is one for you. Just remember to keep in the Grey Phantom’s good books!!
Rating: 9/10
Thank you to Dave Heeley for sending us a digital version for this review.
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