I was lucky enough to review the preview of Caligula Imperatore Insanum (translation: Caligula, the mad emperor) but am thrilled to have now read the entire graphic novel. James Kelly (writer) and Christie Shinn (art) have brought history to life in a manner that would be pleasing to Caligula himself.
Adult children’s books have taken over the world in recent years as enjoyable (and sometimes over-the-top) entertainment for grownups. Let’s Play: Murder is the best contribution to this genre that I’ve had the pleasure of reading.
*The creators of Caligula Imperatore Insanum provided Fanboy Comics with an advance preview of the graphic novel, which was reviewed below.
Reality shows and popular television dramas have nothing on Roman history. No other time in the rise and fall of Rome makes this statement more clear than the reign of Caligula. Murder, greed, lust, incest, and just plain lunacy puts Caligula at the top of the list of most interesting emperors. This alone gives Caligula Imperatore Insanum (Caligula, Insane Emporer) an edge.
Sometimes, the things we fear most are things we don’t think about. I realized that with Post Mortem #0: The Harvesting. Out of all my fears, I never thought about being awake during a surgery or, worse yet, doctors opening me up with a bone saw.
I now have a new fear.
It’s a rare read that I find myself having to step back before writing a review. Though I devoured Harrow County #1 (Dark Horse Comics) a few hours ago, my mind is still reeling from the brilliance and creepiness contained within the pages.
Tortured Life (T Publications) is a 6-issue, supernatural/horror comic series about a man with an unusual curse. Richard Carter sees dead people – before they die. When his abilities first bloomed, he envisioned animals in their dead state while they were still alive; moments later, the animal would pass. As time went on, he experienced visions of people, seeing how they would die, even if it were years later. Soon, he only saw dead people as he walked through the streets.
The following is an interview with Jeffrey J. Mariotte, author of the recently released novel, Empty Rooms, as well as a number of novels and comics books based on such properties as Angel, Charmed, and 30 Days of Night. In this interview, Fanboy Comics Guest Contributor Angie Martin chats with Mariotte about his influences in writing, his history in working with Image Comics and IDW Publishing, and where the development of novels and comic books differ for him as a writer!
As a child, I grew up watching and reading as much horror as I could get my hands on. The more dark and twisted, the more excited and frightened I became. With the release of Twisted Dark, I couldn’t believe something was finally titled what I craved most out of entertainment. And, I was not disappointed. Twisted Dark Volumes 2 and 3 are just that: dark and oh so very twisted.
The latest in a long line of unconquerable, fearless, tough women is most definitely Cabra Cini. In Cabra Cini: Voodoo Junkie Hitwoman (Actuality Press), Cabra immediately defines herself in this role, and it does not take long for the reader to learn why. A former prostitute and crack junkie, Cabra one day turns to a life of Voodoo and uses it for good.
The Astounding Antagonists by Rafael Chandler is a twist on the familiar story of superheroes fighting on the side of good, which instead focuses on the villains of the world. While the concept of antiheroes is nothing new, Chandler makes an interesting and well-written entry into the genre, one that fans of all kinds of superhero comics will enjoy.