Most of us in the Western world are familiar with the Biblical story of Genesis, in particular the story of Adam and Eve, but few people have heard of the ancient Jewish story of Lilith and there is no record in the accepted canon of Adam and Eve’s life together before their expulsion from the garden.

This is where The Lost Books of Eve come in. Josh Howard has drawn from classical religions and mythologies to populate his antediluvian Earth. The main player in this tale is of course Eve. After Adam goes missing from a sailing jaunt on the oceans of the Garden of Eden (ignore the fact Eden was bounded by four rivers and nary an ocean) it is up to Eve to find and rescue her husband.

Adam has been kidnapped by his first wife Lilith as part of her plans to spite the creator and free herself from the exile he has imposed upon her. Helping her during her journey is the cherubim tasked to guard the gates of Eden, Asherah (in ancient Israeli mythology the feminine counterpart to the masculine Yahweh) and Adam’s brother Melchizedek (rabbinical tradition holds that he is actually Shem, Noah’s son). Continue reading “The Lost Books of Eve”

After a brief two month delay, Viper Comic’s The Rabid is finally on store shelves. This is the latest from writer Jason M. Burns – known for A Dummy’s Guide to Danger and Gypsy Joe Jefferson among others – and the first full length graphic novel from artist Guy Lemay who’s also done work on A Dummy’s Guide to Danger as well as Sasquatch.

The story is about a small town that has become the epicenter for an outbreak of a virulent, mutated strain of rabies that seems to have been developed by the military. What starts as an airborne virus among dogs quickly spreads to the human population through vicious dog attacks. Once bitten the victims quickly begin to show aggressive, cannibalistic, zombie-like behavior and their skin takes on a sick, green palor.

Caught in the middle of this unfolding apocalypse is Sheriff Kevin Chase who will do whatever he can to protect his family and friends. But too many people are becoming infected. The infection is spreading too fast and for some reason all of their communications have been cut off. Trapped in a town that’s become a Romeroesque war zone Sheriff Chase leads a small group of survivors including his wife and son away from town only to be forced to confront the military who may be ultimately responsible for this tragedy. Continue reading “The Rabid”

Viper Comics announced that they will be launching their new imprint – Black Mamba Books – later this year. This new imprint will be dedicated to horror comics and will launch in October with Attack of the Killer Tomatoes “being adapted from the original film by Dale Mettam with artwork by Erich Owen and edits by Greg Blohm & Joe Bauer,” according to the press release.

The comic will proceed the release of the theatrical remake of the 1978 camp classic directed by John De Bello. The new movie will be adapted by Kent Nichols and Douglas Sarine of Ask a Ninja fame. This will also be Nichols’ directorial debut.

Viper is also in negotiations with actors Tony Todd (Candy Man, Chuck, 24), Christa Campbell (Day of the Dead, The Wicker Man, 2001 Maniacs) as well as Jamison Newlander and Corey Feldman (The Frog Brothers from Lost Boys and Lost Boys: The Tribe) “to bring their original horror stories to Black Mamba Books.”

I’m curious to see what kind of stories these actors create for this new imprint. I’m also wondering if Viper’s newest horrorish comic, Wulf and Batsy, will move to this new imprint.

Viper’s “advance edition” of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes will be available at Comic-Con this July in limited numbers. Full body of the press release after the jump. Continue reading “Viper Launches Black Mamba Books Imprint”

Ten years after the outbreak of Moss, humanity is pushed to the fringes in a struggle to stay a step ahead of a virulent pathogen that’s only lethal to humans. There is no cure for Moss, the only thing that can be done to stop the spread of the disease is to remove the infected limb. This is the world of John J. Vendor and he makes his living selling body parts back to the living.

Vendor, published by Viper Comics, is the first project from Keven Abrams and Adam Moore’s Fairtrade Films company. The company’s name gives away their professional background in the movie and television industries but both have backgrounds in scriptwriting and editing, both of which are vital skills for the “direction” of a graphic novel. Couple their professional writing and business experience with Nicc Balce’s art (more on him later) and you’ve got the potential for great comic.

Vendor himself is a very interesting character. He walks around with a box full of body parts wearing a trench coat that’s missing one sleeve. This arm he leaves bare in case he needs to cut it off and replace it with one more suited to his needs. He runs his business under the guise of a dating service and he also has a sort of death-sense which allows him to find the dying and buy their limbs from them. It’s a handy gift for someone who deals in both life and death. Continue reading “Vendor”

Wulf and Batsy is a new black and white series written and illustrated by Bryan Baugh and published by Viper Comics. Baugh has an interesting resume grounded in animation. In his words: “During the day I work for Disney Animation, where I make a living as a storyboard artist, on a new Winnie the Poohanimated TV series. But then I come home at night and draw horror comics, which have monsters and blood and half naked girls in them.”

The story follows Wulf – a.k.a. Cevin – and his vampire “ladyfriend” Batsy. Cevin and Batsy are itinerant, wandering from town to town, looking for some place to call home. When they get to the village of Eppworth Ruddy they hope for a place to settle down, but when a young shepherd woman interrupts Wulf feeding on her father’s flock Batsy intervenes to save the young woman’s life then puts her to sleep to facilitate their exit.

The next day Batsy sleeps while Cevin explores the town. By explore of course I mean slink into the local brothel. And where else would the local shepherd maiden run to first when she woke up but the brothel to let everyone who’s anyone know about this latest monster infestation. I’m not sure if Baugh is trying to be tongue in cheek or if these types of things are merely unintentional incongruities. Either way it’s amusing. Continue reading “Wulf and Batsy: We Have No Home”

Dead@17 first showed up back in 2003 from Viper Comics. It follows the story of Nara, an innocent teenager who is brutally murdered in her own home only to be reborn as the potential savior or destroyer of humanity. But that’s just the setup.

The story is really about the ultimate struggle between good and evil. Nara is the intended vessel for the rebirth of the demon Bolabogg in his quest to usurp the power of God. When that plan fails it’s up to Nara, her friends and some shadowy occult paramilitary organizations to stop him from using another unlucky girl who’s just been killed and resurrected in Nara’s stead.

Throw in some zombies possessed by a demon named Legion, a still alive and fighting Joan of Arc and plenty of risqué panels of Nara, her friend Hazy, and substitute vessel – and Nara’s nemesis – Violet, and you’ve got a recipe for an entertaining and thoughtful graphic novel that plays fast and loose with the classic story of the apocalypse. Continue reading “Dead@17: The Compendium Edition”