Two Dark Horse reads that are perfect for Halloween? Ghost Omnibus Vol. 1 and The Evil Dead TPB.
WARNING: Comics contain mature content.
This week we are celebrating Halloween GEN style. Running October 26 - 31, we will be bringing you daily features including a look into the current Halloween trends, examining the best movies, anime, comics and video games of the season, and offering up tips on how to whip up costumes in a pinch. Check back daily for updates!
Gorging yourself on chocolate while dressed in your snazzy superhero costume is all and well, but what’s Halloween without great, spooky comics? Dark Horse was kind and generous enough to send GEN two brand new comic collections that are sure to make your Halloween perfect (for slashing). Check out both reviews below!
Ghost Omnibus Volume 1
Writer: Eric Luke
Artist: Adam Hughes, Terry Dodson, Scott Benefiel, Matt Haley, and various
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes
Summary: “If you’re already dead, you might as well make the best of it. Someone brutally murdered reporter Elisa Cameron, but back from the grave as the spectral avenger Ghost, Elisa intends to find out who killed her and why . . . and grab a double dose of .45-caliber retribution. But Ghost’s journey to the truth follows a dark, twisted path, and the revelations she unearths may lead not to redemption, but damnation.
* Includes a roster of top creative talents, including screenwriter Eric Luke and comics superstar artists Adam Hughes and Terry Dodson.
* Collects Ghost Special #1, Ghost #1-12 (first series), and “Sweet Things” from Decade of Dark Horse #2.”
Review: This hefty omnibus (352 pages of sheer comic goodness) released October 15. I had never read a Ghost comic before, but man, was this thing GOOD.
It’s honestly one of the most interesting and unique titles I’ve ever read. The themes of mysogeny and extreme feminism run thick throughout the entire comic (and especially at the beginning), but don’t let this turn you off to the work itself. Those themes have a point and message in the long-run, I promise.
I had to hold my ground for awhile (I don’t agree with misogyny nor an “all men are pigs” attitude), but the way the comic broaches the concept and state of death through the protagonist (the ghost) Elisa was simply ingenious and original. I loved it! And even as the comic progressed, the elements of misogyny and feminism toned down as the issues’ purposes in the comic were questioned. In other words, Elisa strikes continuously closer to the root of the general problem of misogyny, how it plays into her life and self, and why she feels such hatred for men.
If you want a comic with a more “realistic” tone, while still getting your Halloween dose of ghosts, devils, and demons, then Ghost Omnibus Volume 1 is perfect! I highly recommend it.
The Evil Dead TPB
Writer: Mark Verheiden
Artist: John Bolton
Summary: “Writer Mark Verheiden (Battlestar Galactica, My Name Is Bruce) and illustrator John Bolton (God Save the Queen, Harlequin Valentine) present an exciting expansion on the classic horror film that introduced us to the powerful Book of the Dead, the relentlessly violent deadites, and Ash–one resilient, blood-soaked survivor. Now an iconic horror hero, relive Ash’s first visit to the cabin that brought him face to face with the delectably deranged deadites who possessed his girlfriend and friends . . . and turned “the perfect place to get laid” into a house of fear and fury. Return to the original nonstop gore-fest and experience the thrills, gags, and gagging anew, with unexpected extra scenes.
* As writer Mark Verheiden explains, “With permission from Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, we’ve expanded the movie, meeting our characters back in their pre-deadite lives and opening up the story to see what happened between the events seen on screen.”
* Collects the four-issue miniseries.”
Review: The Evil Dead trade paperback—which came out the same day as the Ghost Omnibus—is much shorter by comparison (only 112 pages) and collects the four comics of the mini-series. So if you’re looking for a shorter Halloween read, then this is your alternative.
Unfortunately, I’ve never seen any of The Evil Dead movies (yeah, yeah), and so there was something lacking for me when I was reading this trade. I’m sure it would be much more rewarding if I were a fan of the films—in fact, it might have been a real … treat. This book combines both elements from the movie as well as new content—keeping the comic fresh so fans of the movie don’t feel like they’re seeing it all over again, just in comic form.
But don’t be tricked—even if you’re like me and you haven’t watched The Evil Dead, this comic is still fun and you can definitely enjoy the fun humor as well as the bloodthirsty horror. Actually, reading this makes me want to track down the movies for myself! 
Learn more about The Evil Dead TPB on the Dark Horse website.
