In this special spook-tacular episode, I share with you 5 gruesome series you should be checking out this Halloween!

I interview artist Cliff Chiang as we talk about Neil Young’s Greendale, The Brave And The Bold, Star Wars propaganda posters and much more!

I’m joined by artist Ryan Kelly as we discuss Funrama, Brian Wood, different musicians he draws and much more!

I interview artist Pat Loika about Dial R Studios, The Villain, Path To Armageddon and more.

I sit down and interview artist Jason Howard about Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark, Astounding Wolf-Man, Chick-Fil-A and much more!

I interview artist Rafael Albuquerque about Stephen King’s American Vampire, Mondo Urbano and much more!

I interview artist Frazer Irving about Batman and Robin, his rise to fame from 2000AD, The Joker and much more!

I interview artist Ryan Benjamin about Pancratia, Batman Beyond, MMA and more!

I interview Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba of Daytripper fame. We chat about Daytripper, Dave Stewart, Cassanova and more!

All Archaia interviews! First up, I chat with David Rodriguez & Patrick McEvoy about their Starkweather: Immortal HC, then I sit down with Chandra Free to discuss The God Machine HC.

I interview the creative team of CHEW (Image), John Layman & Rob Guillory! We talk beets, Omnivores, LOST and much more!

I sit down for an intimate chat with Ben Templesmith. We discuss Choker, Squidgirls, religion and much more!

Comic-Con 2010 wrap-up!

Welcome To Hoxford

Written & Drawn by Ben Templesmith

IDW Publishing

When I picked up the first issue of Welcome To Hoxford, I didn’t know what to expect. The cover depicted this psychopath covered in blood sitting in a jail cell, so I knew it probably wasn’t going to be about puppies and kittens. Well, puppies are in the story, but they have nasty big pointy teeth. I knew who Templesmith was at the time from his gorgeous art on 30 Days of Night and Fell, but I wasn’t familiar with his creator owned work such as Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse. So upon reading the first issue of his latest work, I was completely in awe of what I just read.

It was sick, deranged, funny and horrifying all at the same time.

Needless to say, I was hooked. Every issue that came out was better and more fucked-up than the last, keeping me enthralled with this spectacular series. Not only was Templesmith’s art just complete eye-candy to look at, but his story was equally as haunting and enjoyable.

The story revolves around this psychopath Ray Delgado, as he’s transferred to this new privately owned and operated maximum security prison known as Hoxford. It’s run by the Russians, and only the worst of the worst criminals, rapists, and thugs are sent to Hoxford to be forgotten by the society that they gave the finger to. The Warden and guards of this fine establishment have a deep dark secret of their own that they can’t wait to share with the new inmates, and one of the people who might potentially spoil the surprise is Ray’s psychiatrist Dr. Ainley when she comes to check-up on her patients. You see, if Ray isn’t on his medication, then he’ll revert back to being his usual aggressive and cannibalistic self.

Sure enough, Ray isn’t on his meds and thinks he’s Cronos, God of the Titans and master of all. The other inmates go along with it because none of them are crazy enough to piss Ray off and have him go apeshit on their ass.

The secret of the Warden & Co.? They’re all werewolves, and the inmates are their prey. And these aren’t you’re typical werewolves that you see on the screen, no no no. These werewolves are giant monstrosities with endless rows of teeth. If there’s one other thing that Templesmith is a master at drawing besides tentacles, it’s sharpy pointy teeth. So it’s a free-for-all at the prison with the inmates not standing a chance. It’s as if a group of big game hunters arrived at the local zoo and just went wild killing everything in site. These inmates are the scum of the universe, so no one is going to miss them if they happen to disappear down the gullet of a grizzly ancient beast.

Ray isn’t scared. He’s a God, and must do battle with the beasts to defend his heavenly kingdom. And that’s exactly what he does. Bodies of his slain enemies surround him, and he slowly comes to the realization that he isn’t a God, but a hunter like the rest of these beasts. As a matter of fact, he fancies himself as an Alpha Male, and decides he will challenge the current leader for that position.

In the end of the issue, Ray does kill the leader in a bloody battle and is the new Alpha Male of the pack. All hail Ray, and those who are still alive should flee as fast as possible.

After reading the trade again in one sitting, I realized that I had goosebumps. This story was such a great read when it first came out, and I’m overjoyed to announce it still lives-up to the hype months later. If anything, it’s more horrific since I don’t have to wait months in between like I initially did.

Templesmith has such a unique style in his art, that you can just tell how much he loves his job. Although this was just a miniseries, I’m craving (nay, demanding!) more creator owned series from him. I always have such a fun time reading anything he’s doing the art for, that I’d love to read more original stories by the guy. I’m sure he’s an untapped treasure trove of stories like Welcome To Hoxford and Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse, that all he needs to get going on more stuff is support from his fans.

Mr. Templesmith, go and do that voodoo that you do oh so well!

Discuss this pick on the forum!

Book Of The Month – June – LOCAL

Book Of The Month – July – Sub-Mariner: The Depths

Book Of The Month – August – Superman: Secret Identity

Cammy brings you coverage of Comic-Con 2009. Interviews with Ben Templesmith, Sal Abbinanti, Simone Bianchi, Thomas Jane, Chris Burnham, John Layman, Rob Guillory, and Rick Spears.

Special thanks to my sponsors Rising Sun Creations and Deadline Graphics.

Music: Ratatat – Wildcat

In this Best Of 2008, I discuss my Top 5 favorite Writers, Artists, Series, Top Story Arc, and Top Single Issue. Tell me how wrong I am on the forum!

Top Five Writers:
*Jason Aaron
*Geoff Johns
*Peter J. Tomasi
*Ed Brubaker
*Brian Wood

Top Five Artists:
*Ben Templesmith
*Leinil Yu
*Gabriel Ba
*Juan Jose Ryp
*JM Ken Niimura

Top Five Series:
*Scalped (Vertigo)
*The Sword (Image)
*Black Summer (Avatar)
*All-Star Superman (DC)
*Air (Vertigo)

Top Story Arc:
*Green Lantern: Secret Origin

Top Single Issue:
*Final Crisis: Requiem

Hot damn was it an awesome week for comics! Pick of the week is Criminal Vol. 2 #5 (Icon) from Brubaker & Phillips, and the Fast Five changed a couple of times throughout the past few days. Fast Five picks include Big Hero 6 #1 (Marvel), Welcome To Hoxford #2 (IDW), Secret Invasion #6 (Marvel), Green Lantern Corps #28 (DC), and Deadpool #1 (Marvel).

Japanese Superheroes, Green Lanterns, and a Merc with a Mouth help make this week truly spectacular!

Quite the variety this week in comics! No pick this week, but Fast Five picks include Secret Invasion #5 (Marvel), Action Comics #868 (DC), Welcome To Hoxford #1 (IDW), Astonishing X-Men #26 (Marvel), and Green Lantern Corps #27 (DC).

I’m recovering from a cold, so if Green Lantern Natu could stop by soon that’d be greeeat.