Monday, May 22, 2017

Review- JOHN CARPENTER'S TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT VOL. 2



JOHN CARPENTER'S TALES FOR A HALLOWEEN NIGHT VOL. 2 (Storm King, First Printing, 2016; Softcover)

Original Graphic Novel.

Writers: Steven Hoveke, John Carpenter, Deirdre Brooks, Mike Sizemore, David J. Schow, Jimmy Palmiotti, Renae Deliz, James Ninness, Duane Swierczynki, Amanda Diebert, Kealan Patrick Burke, Sandy King, and Federico De Luca

Artists: Jon Bogdanove, Dennis Calero, Daniel Leister, David Kennedy, Darick Robertson, Richard P. Clark, Joel Seguin, Ray Dillon, Axur Aneas, Trevor Denham, Cat Staggs, Jaime Carillo, and Federico De Luca

Colorists: Jeff Balke, Diego Rodriguez, Paul Mounts, Ben Glibert, and Kinsun Loh



Volume 2 of this anthology Horror series offers twice as many stories as the first volume. Like Volume 1, this book starts out with a John Carpenter penned story, this time The Traveler's Tale. It treads familiar ground but it works on all levels. All of the writers seem to channel Carpenter's style, which is fine by me.

Carn-Evil Max And The Traveling Beauty Show doesn't work as far as I'm concerned. It's the weak link in the book. The set up isn't firmly established and the Twilight Zone style riff for the ending falls flat. Patterns and The Basement are both great stories with solid artwork. Mr. Goodnight takes the cake. Jaime Carillo and colorist Kinsun Loh knocked that one out of the park.

The series host, the Groundscreeper, remains a series highlight. Please refer to my review for Volume 1 for more thoughts on him. This was enjoyable enough to make want to pick up the forthcoming third volume this Halloween. You'll have to look to find this book but it's worth it.
Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone-
Paper stock: Thick coated stock with a slight sheen.
Binding: Sewn binding in a softcover.
Cardstock cover notes: The majority of the cover has a matte finish with select spot varnish. The logo is embossed, a welcome touch which adds some class to the proceedings. 

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