I’ve got two stripes.

§ July 3rd, 2013 § Filed under this week's comics § 4 Comments


Well, it’s definitely in the Dexter novel continuity as opposed to the TV show continuity, based simply on the fact that his sister’s name is spelled “Deborah” and not “Debra.” Oh, and the fact that the comic is written by the novelist who created Dexter, so it’s probably a given that it’d follow the books over the show.

Actually, all things considered, there’s not really anything here to trip up a fan of the TV show who’s never read the books, given that likenesses of the characters are general enough to be kinda/sorta like the show’s actors, if you squint a bit, and the presence of one particular character who’s…no longer around can be chalked up to the series being a “flashback,” if you’re really that concerned. And Deb is called “Sarge,” which is a rank I don’t think she ever held in the show. And the familiar supporting cast of the rest of Miami Metro Homicide aren’t involved, thus far.

Of course, this can all change with #2. An interesting trick they’re doing with the covers, which they’re apparently continuing based on the “next issue” ad in the back, is covering most of Dexter’s face, sidestepping the whole “this doesn’t look like Michael C. Hall” problem that might turn off folks browsing the racks.

The comic’s good, by the way. Dex goes to his high school reunion, encounters a former bully of his, and suddenly murders ensue. I think Dexter fans of either stripe, or both stripes (like me) will enjoy this.


It’s odd, but Clive Barker comics, aside from that brief period in the ’90s when anything that was vaguely comic-shaped would sell, are not big movers for us. The Hellraiser anthology from Marvel/Epic was the biggie, followed by Eclipse Comics’ Tapping the Vein, and then Nightbreed a distant third. Everything else (and frankly there’s not much else) never really sold that well. (Don’t get me started on Razorline.) Even the recent Hellraiser series from Boom!, which started off strong, has withered away to only a few hangers-on (including me, in case you’re wondering), as the structure of the series is mostly nonforgiving to latecomers (aside from the mostly self-contained Road Below mini, which had slightly higher sales).

I had high hopes for Next Testament (formerly New Genesis, until DC Comics suggested otherwise) which is perfectly fine religiously-themed horror and an entertaining read, but, well, the first issue sold okay, not great. Having “Clive Barker” splashed across the front cover isn’t the sales incentive one would think, at least with our clientele. Your future-of-horror mileage may vary at your own funnybook store.


ATTENTION:


SWAMP THING COVER CAMEO

Well, it’s tying into the “Trinity War” event, but I like the premise of the first issue, following Pandora over the centuries as she lives out her eternal curse, so we’ll see how it goes. I’ve read enough comics that tie into events I’m not otherwise reading to know how to deal with it, and so have all of you.


Yup. Still good. Still feels like classic pre-Vertigoization Swamp Thing comics. I’m not quite committed to the “actual Alec Holland in Swamp Thing’s body” status quo, but I’m coping. The vapors no longer come upon me quite so suddenly.

4 Responses to “I’ve got two stripes.”

  • Walaka says:

    Wait, Pandora is from DC? A new comic? And the female lead is actually wearing clothes? A lot of clothes? This is some sort of trick, innit?

  • MrJM says:

    “I’m not quite committed to the “actual Alec Holland in Swamp Thing’s body” status quo, but I’m coping. The vapors no longer come upon me quite so suddenly.”

    Your strength is an inspiration.

    — MrJM

  • Snark Shark says:

    ” (Don’t get me started on Razorline.)”

    I would NEVER get anyone started on razorline!

    “Pandora”

    “WHAT’S IN THE BOX??”

  • I’ve never understood why publishers put out series that are based on an idea from a popular writer but not actually written by that author. Has that ever been successful? Tapping the Vein featured adaptations of Barker’s stories. Hellraiser and Nightbreed were based on stories that Barker had already developed and created a fandom for. “Random Idea” from Clive Barker as executed by Unknown Writer #45 and Unknown Artist #67 seems doomed from the get go.