American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2

Vampire hunters Cash McCogan and Felicia Book get shot down over the mountains of Romania and find themselves trapped in the Nazi-occupied country. And as if these monsters weren’t difficult enough to contend with, they also need to worry about the vampires that stalk the night.

Do you remember this series? Well, I do and I’m still faithfully following it. However, instead of Sheriff Book, we follow special agent Felicia Book, his daughter. And she’s haunted by Sheriff Book’s old nemesis Skinner Sweet. Is Sweet still kicking around? Not sure, but his presence is still felt.

This time or this era, Felicia is not only facing vampires but maybe a more evil force – Nazis. And what’s worse – Nazis vampires.

Along with her partner, Cash McCogan, Felicia is on her way to rescue a scientist from the Nazis when their plane is shot down in Romania. Posing as American sympathizers, these two manage to get their destination in one piece. They meet the scientist they were sent to rescue but something far worse is waiting for them.

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 was written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Sean Murphy. It is published by Vertigo.

Grimm Fairy Tales – The Ugly Duckling

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

The Grimm Fairy Tales

When a young unattractive teen is tormented by her high school peers she makes a deal with Belinda and seeks out her own form of revenge. Now, ten years later, the once ugly duckling turned swan is living a successful life as a top model. However, on the night of her high school reunion, she’ll find that the deal she made many years ago is about to come to bite her.

He couldn’t have her as his own, so he killed her. In fact he killed many of ‘her’. Over and over and over, the swan killer has struck and he cannot be stopped. Events were set in motion years ago by Belinda, and now the psycho she helped create is loose and on the prowl. While stalking a new beautiful woman from afar, we learn of his past which will lead up to his next victim’s murder. She must die and he knows that he cannot stop himself – but maybe something else can.

Grimm Fairy Tales 36 Part 2

Those wacky people over at Grimm Fairy Tales have taken the much beloved children’s story The Ugly Duckling and twisted it for our entertainment. Actually they took the beloved story and have broken it into two parts. The first part, in issue 28, is a twist of The Ugly Duckling. The second part, The Swan is retold in issue 36. Put these two together and you have one grand twisted tale of revenge, murder and psychos – what more can a  Deadite wish for.

If you’ve never picked up a Grimm Fairy Tale, I implore you to do so. The thing I like about this series is how a innocent child’s tale can be twisted and folded and bent and come out the other side completely the same yet completely different. These books reminds me of a paper version of The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Darkside which are quite entertaining to watch. And like those TV shows, Grimm Fairy Tales continue to be quite entertaining to read.

Grimm Fairy Tale #2: Halloween 2010 (Review)

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

Grimm Fairy Tale Halloween #2

The second Grimm Halloween special arrives with a brand new original vampire story. when four vampire obsessed teens head out for a night on the town in search of the real thing. They quickly discover they have bitten off much more than they can chew. The group finds themselves face to face with an actual clan of real vampires who are intent on teaching the wannabe teens a horrifying lesson.

Now the way I understand it, most of you Deadites are not particular fans of Twilight. I know most if not all the crew finds Twilight a laughable offense – sparkling vampires. But nevertheless, Grimm’s Halloween issue ventures into that area. In fact, this issue, I think, mocks Twilight.

There is one particular scene I like. Our vampire obsessed teens arrive at a party covered in glitter. When they enter the party, all the guest stop and gawk at them. While this is a classic cliché, I got a good chuckle.

Once again the people at Grimm’s Fairy Tales have delivered an entertaining and twisted tale of Halloween and vampires.

This issue was written by Joe Brusha, Raven Gregory and Ralph Tedesco. The art was done by Marcio Abreu, Geldson Barreto and Alisson Rodrigues. It was published by Zenescope.

Strange Embrace #1 – Review by RFR Casket Crew Denise

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

Strange Embrace by David Hine

Strange Embrace has been labeled a modern gothic psycho-sexual tortured romance and is not for the nervous.

I’m not too sure about the above description. Having only read the first issue, I can honestly say that I’m not sure what Strange Embrace is really all about. I can tell you that after reading the first issue, I want more!

Strange Embrace has a mysterious undertone in its opening story. As I said, I’m not sure what the mystery is, but it intriqued me enough to keep flipping the pages. However I can say that I think this series is going to be a psychological thriller.

This series and specifically the first issue introduces us to Sukumar, a young man who helps in his parents’ shop after school. There are two things that I picked up very quickly about this character. The first is that he is in a loving family dynamic relationship, and second, he’s somewhat of a loner since we don’t see any interaction with friends or class-mates.

While out making a delivery for the shop, Sukumar meets Alex, a strange man himself. Alex takes Sukumar into his world if only to introduce him to the fact that he is somehow “special” – just like him. And just when the story really starts pumping…the first issue is done and gone.

Who knows what the next issue brings, but if it has the same eerie undertones as the first, you will find me on my nice soft comfy couch breaking in the pages.

Strange Embrace #1 was written and illustrated by David Hine. It is published by Image Comics.

Rotting Flesh Radio SHOW #245: Derek Mears (Jason Vorhees) Stops in and talks Halloween, Haunt News, Pumpkin Cult, Haunt Tours and more…

SHOW NOTES FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 SHOW #245

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THIS WEEK’S SHOW NOTES:
Run for your lives Deadites because we have Comedy, Horror and Hockey Masks as we welcome DEREK MEARS to the show this week! Derek, who played Jason Vorhees in the Friday Redux, was in Predators and is part of Comedy Imrov is stopping in to RFR this week and we talk about his favorite films, Halloween, his favorite Trick or Treat Candy, Items to sign at events and more from this Crazy Crazy Man!

We have RFR Casket Crew’s Storm here with another rant In A Haunt Minute and Pierce is here with another installment of Fresh Meat.

There is a body bag full of Haunt Industry News including Transworld’s Legendary Haunt Tour, The Face of the Great Pumpkin Contest, the Sounds of Gore, Gore Galore, Immortal Masks, Graphic Design for your Haunt or Party, Halloween Wars, The Food Network, The Napa Valley wine Train, DJ Tommy Fullove, Ashland Oregon’s Downtown Halloween Bash, Oct dot Org’s New Website, Monster Matt’s Really Bad Monster Jokes Book, The Beetlejuice Sequel, Horror Realm Con, Comic Book Divas, Toxic Toons Trick or Treat Bags, and more from the Haunt and horror Industry this week.

We have RFR Casket Crew Denise stepping in from the blog to the small screen looking at The Scream of the Banshee, and we Observe the Tragic Events on this Anniversary Weekend.

There are ALL-NEW Rules to Win the Screamline Studios Graverobbing Giveaway and Twisted Tunes from the Grave.

So all you Fright Freaks, Haunters and Halloween Junkies, you can…
Sit Back, Relax and Rot Away to Rotting Flesh Radio!

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Victorian Undead II: Sherlock Holmes vs Dracula #1

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

Victorian Undead II

A year after the defeat of Professor Moriarty’s reverent horde and the fire-bombing of London, restoration is well under way. Yet, from across the sea, ancient eyes cast their hungry gaze upon the still vulnerable capital…Dracula is coming! Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the wreck of the ship, the Demeter – it’s crew missing, the corpse of its captain lashed to the ship’s wheel – an soon realize this is merely the opening salvo of war from beyond the grave.

The first issue of Victorian Undead II: Sherlock Holmes vs Dracula is just the beginning of things to come. While Holmes thought Moriarty was a formidable foe, he’s yet to encounter the undead master.

Although the first issue is establishing time and place, this series should keep vampire fans and those who enjoy crime dramas entertained.

Victorian Undead II: Sherlock Holmes vs Dracula #1 is written by Ian Edgington. Davide Fabbri and Tom Mandrake are the artist. This comic is published by DC Comics.

Get your copy on Amazon at: Victorian Undead II

Evan – Facing the Zombie Apocalypse

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

Evan, a balding man in his mid 40s, sat in his living room, drinking beer, watching the evening news. It was hot. Sweat trickled down his temples. Grabbing the brown stained napkin from the end table, Evan ran it across his reddened face.

Stay Tuned...Zombie Alerts

“Damn,” he said climbing out of the Lazy Boy recliner. Pulling up his boxers, he walked to the air condition controller flipping the lever to the left, cranking down the temperature. Stumbling to the refrigerator, Evan grabbed another beer and ran it across his sweaty chest before popping the top.

Juliet slammed the kitchen door and yelled hysterically for Evan.

*Damn that woman, she’s such a drama queen.* Evan clicked the mute button, looking toward the kitchen in disgust.

“In here, honey,” he called as pleasantly as he could manage.

Juliet rushed into the living room looking frazzled, gripping her store bags closely to her chest. Her graying hair poke out at weird angles. She looked as if she had been in a Chicago wind storm.

“They’re coming!” she exclaimed.

“Who’s coming?”

“The zombies!” Juliet wailed dropping the packages onto the green shag carpet.

“Zombies? Woman, you’re not making any sense.”

Evan had been married to Juliet for 25 years and had never seen his wife this crazed before. *She’s talking about zombies. She’s finally lost it.*

“Juliet, there’s no such thing. Calm the hell down woman, you’re talking nonsense,” Evan said trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice.

“Screw you, Evan,” Juliet said picking up the remote. “Does this sound like nonsense?” She turned to the TV and voices flooded the room.

On the glowing screen, a representative from the CDC was standing before a wooden podium addressing more than a dozen reporters. The reporters held out their microphones and recorders capturing what the man said. Evan looked at his wife as she stared at the screen and saw she was crying. Tears streaked down her face leaving white tracks where make-up had once been.

Evan clicked off the TV.

“What the hell are you doing?” Juliet questioned. “Give me the remote.” Juliet gestured for the black box but Evan jerked it away from her.

“Woman, you’re talking crazy. This is a joke. It’s all one big joke.” Evan picked the newspaper off the floor but kept the remote out of Juliet’s reach. “What time is dinner?” he asked nonchalantly without looking up from the paper.

“They’re here Evan!” Juilet screamed jerking the paper out of his hands. She gripped his arms, digging her nails into his flesh.

“Ouch!” Evan exclaimed, “Goddammit woman, you’ve watched too many horror movies! They aren’t real!”

“They’re are! You saw the TV report. They’re coming. I even saw one.” Juliet gasped as soon as she said the words, digging her nails deeper in Evan’s arm. Evan shook her off.

“It was probably some homeless bum. Trust me, Juliet, there ain’t no zombies.”

With that, Evan retreated to the bathroom with the newspaper. No doubt about it, his wife was bat-shit crazy. That is until she turned into a zombie. After that, Evan stopped thinking.

Grimm Fairy Tales Annual #1 – Review

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

What if nursery rhymes and fables fell into the wrong hands? Would story-time ever be the same? The first ever Grimm Fairy Tales Annual features six nursery rhymes and bedtime stories retold with the same terrifying twists.

For horror fans, Grimm Fairy Tales is an absolute gem. We’ve all heard that the original Grimm Brothers tales were dark stories; they meant to scare more than anything else. And now we have Grimm Fairy Tales.

Grimm Fairy Tales Annual from Zenescope

In this annual issue, we have Jack and Jill who find that sometimes the term “undying love” should be taken literally. The Old Woman in the Shoe finds her years of dishing out torment might come back to bite her while Peter Pumpkin Eater is just a simple man so in love with his wife he will do anything to keep her. Little Boy Blue realizes tht betraying those near and dear can have dire consequences.

Grimm Fairy Tales enters a world where fairy tales and nursery rhymes will never be the same…again.

Grimm Fairy Tales Annual #1 was written by Christian Beranek, Tommy Castillo, Raven Gregory, Linda Ly, Ralph Tedesco and JC Tyler. The art was by Tommy Castillo, Mark Dos Santos, Daniel Leisfer, Tone Rodriguez, Nei Ruffino and Ed Sherman. This book was published by Zenescope.

A Mother’s Love

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

Jack’s mother was sick. Sick of all of it. After a number of warnings and pleas, she knew she wasn’t being taken seriously. Now was the time to act. To take action.

A Mother's Love

Jackie paced around the small kitchen. She was absolutely furious. The magazine lay on the round wooden table turned to the back pages. Columns of ads adorn the two pages facing each other. One was circled in red. It was a simple ad. Just three simple words. ‘I can help.’ followed by a telephone number. Jackie left the kitchen.

Walking into the simple living room, Jackie sat heavily on the worn brown couch. A small blume of dust rose from the cushion. She hit the back of the couch and more dust rose up into the air before disbursing over the other seat cushions. She grabbed the TV remote and click the red button before the batteries fell out. The television hummed to life, but the sound of the soap opera didn’t ease the storm brewing in her heart nor the final decision racing through her thoughts.

Well, now was the time to do something about it. Jackie rose from the couch, slapped the button on the face of the TV and returned to the kitchen. She grabbed the magazine, folded it in half and walked to the corded phone hanging loosely on the yellow stained wall. She lifted the receiver and heard a distinct hum echo into the silent clean kitchen. Without hesitation, Jackie punched in the numbers and listened as the phone rang.

“Hello.” A gruff man’s voice answered on the third ring.

“Hello,” Jackie said weakly, “I need some help. I don’t know what else to do.”

“I can help,” the man reassured her.

Jackie talked with the unseen man for the next hour. She talked and he listened, interupting only to ask essential questions. Jackie answered them all. She gave him all the info. She even went to the corner store to fax a photo the man had requested.

Returning to the apartment, Jackie leaned against the front door. It groaned against her weight and she thought she heard a small crack. She sighed with relief. She had done it. She had hired a hit man.

Jackie returned to the living room and clicked on the TV. She sat down with satisfaction. Being a mother meant dishing out tough love sometimes. That’s just how it is. After all, Jack was warned not to fail another math test.

The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

by: RFR Casket Crew Denise

The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan

A Boeing 777 arrives at JFK and is on its way across the tarmac when it suddenly stops dead. All window shades are pulled down. All lights are out. All communication channels have gone quite. Crews on the ground are lost for answers, but an alert goes out to the CDC. Dr. Eph Goodweather, head of their Canary project, a rapid response team that investigates biological threats, gets the call and boards the plane. What he finds make his blood run cold. In a pawnshop in Spanish Harlem, a former professor and survivor of the Holocaust named Abraham Setrakian knows something is happening. And he knows the time has come, that a war is brewing. So begins a battle of mammoth proportions as the vampiric virus that has infected New York begins to spills out into the streets. Eph, who is joined by Setrakian and a motely crew of fighters, must now find a way to stop the contagion and save his city – a city that includes his wife and son – before it is too late.

The Strain was written by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. This is the first in a triology story.

The Strain is not your typical vampire story. Think of it more as a vampire story mixed with a little bit of alien technology mixed into the fray. You could also consider it a little bit of a whodunnit or crime drama. It’s certainly an interesting mix.

The story starts with an airplane that has gone “silent.” We quickly are introduced to Dr. Eph Goodweather and Nora. These two work in the CDC, in a special branch where Dr. Eph is the team leader. As these two try to put the pieces together, we get a glimpse into the life of Abraham Setrakian. A holocaust survivor with a mysterious past.

When these three eventually team up, we start to get a distinct visual of these new vampires. They are ones that eventually are turned by a simple bite. While this is the tradional vampire lore with exception – their tongues.

These vampires tongues are really a separate organ itself. It almost operates separately from the body. Maybe it’s the tongue that is large and in charge.

Eventually the story climaxes with the ultimate battle between mortals and vampires, good verus evil. Is there a clear victory. Well…you just have to read it for yourself.

For more on the book visit them at: www.TheStrainTrilogy.com