Best book of 2010

Last year the Resurrectionist by Wrath James White blew me away and easily took the top spot as best book of 2009. Now, with only a few days to spare, I have just finished what I consider the best book of 2010. Cherry Hill by James A. Moore is simply fantastic. An early (or mabe not so early?) adventure of Moore's iconic Jonathan Crowley, Cherry Hill is filled with mystery, action, ghosts, and gore. Oh, the gore! Iwon't go into detail; I would hate to spoil the pleasure of you reading this for yourself.

I will say this, With Jonathan Crowley, Moore has created one of the most compelling characters in horror fiction. Featured in many novels, novellas, and short stories, Crowley travels the world with a nasty smile, a rapier wit, and a heaping helping of muscle and magic. Not one to suffer fools, Crowley puts them in their place while still saving their lives. A tragic anti-hero, he stands head and shoulders above so many of todays "monster hunters."

Cherry Hill is a tightly paced piece of terror that reveals some of the hidden past of Jonathan Crowley. (JC. Hmm.) In a year filled with great books, House Of Fallen Trees by Gin Rinnalli, Book Of Shadows by Alexandra Sokoloff, Draculas by Kilborn, Strand, Wilson & Crouch, Children Of Chaos by Greg F. Gifune, to name a few, Cherry Hill rises to the top and earns my pick as Best Book Of 2010!

The Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn(w) & Brian Hurtt(a)

I have always been a fan of the horror/western hybrid. These genres go together like choclate and peanut butter. Joe R. Lansdale's Dead In The West and Tim Curran's Skin Medicine come immediately to mind. Now, writer Cullen Bunn and artist Brian Hurtt (The Damned) bring us The Sixth Gun, from Oni Press, a wonderfully written and beautifully drawn tale of Pinkerton detectives, cursed objects, ghosts, gunfighters, and a dead man who wants revenge.

Bunn spins a fine yarn, introducing a number of major players without getting too bogged down in backstory. He doles out information in bite sized pieces, leaving a number of questions dangling, as the best comics do. I certainly am looking forward to future issues; I want to know the who, what, and why of the sixth gun.

Brian Hurtt has a crisp, clean artistic style that compliments Bunn's writing, moving the readers eye to all the right places. Surprisingly, not all comic book artists can do this, but Hurtt makes it look easy.

The Sixth Gun issue one was a give-away on Free Comic Book Day. I think it could be the next Umbrella Academy, a book whose FCBD debut was a huge hit, a few years ago. I have already placed a standing order at my comic shop, for the rest of the series.

A good horror/western is always a treat; and The Sixth Gun is a monthly dose of ghostly gunfighting goodness.

Iron Man Noir

This comic is the reason I decided to blog. I was so impressed with the first issue, I had to share it with SOMEONE.

While I have all of Marvels NOIR books, I haven't had a chance to read them all. X-Men Noir Vol. 1 was a muddled mess. Daredevil Noir was pretty good. Spider-man Noir Vol.1 was the best of the older mini-series. Great story, great art, and a fantastic new take on old villians.

Then, along comes Iron Man Noir #1. What an awesome throwback to the great pulp adventures of yesteryear. Tony Stark travls the world like a scientific Indiana Jones, and is the subject of Marvels:A Magazine Of Men's Adventure. Along with his trusty companion, James Rhodes, Tony faces danger at every turn. And in the first issue, we get to meet noir versions of Madame Masque, Dr. Heinrich Zemo, and Commander Baron Strucker. All great looking pulp villians.

This is "alternate universe" storytelling at it's best. Whether you are a Marvel comics fan, or a fan of Doc Savage style adventures, Iron Man Noir is a winner.

Bleh

I was told that I should post every day.
Now I am tired and have nothing to say.
Let's hope that I don't always feel this way.
I should post a few times before May.
That's all I've got. G'day.

Hello

Hello.
I hope to use this venue to discuss the things that I enjoy: comics, horror novels (or anything other novels that catch my eye) and horror movies (ditto).
I may throw some random craziness in the mix.
I have no idea.
Suggestions and comments are welcome.