It’s not even noon yet as I write this on the first day of the New Year. You may have already noticed this but I don’t review comic anthologies here due to them having multiple stories and art styles, their length(some are made up of tiny quick stories and others could be their own issue), and just crediting the writers and artists would take up over half the page. Another thing about anthologies is that the stories can vary so greatly in genre and tone that by the end you’ll only like a percentage of what you’ve read. But enough talking, check out what I’ve read!
A Lungful of Brine
A Lungful of Brine is a collection of Nautical Horror Stories so if you like things based around water this might be up your alley. But be aware that this isn’t your run of the mill horror; the scares you’ll find here have Lovecraftian and Twilight Zone-like plots. It is character focused so we’ll closely watch people make a number of decisions that lead to specific situations. The art here fits each story and gives off a bit of creepiness on its own. You might get frightened even before you start reading.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Man & The Mermaid.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
First Contact with Pod X.
“How many stories are there?”
Five, all at least ten pages long.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Water huh? Water’s what you want? Free water?”
“Do you fear death?”
Can you offer me an escape?
Physcial Link: https://www.alungfulofbrine.com/
Digital Link: https://www.amazon.com/Lungful-Brine-Nautical-Horror-Stories-ebook/dp/B0BGK6GNHG/
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nauticalhorrorcomic/a-lungful-of-brine-nautical-horror-anthology/description
Off Into The Sunset
Off Into The Sunset is a collection of stories inspired by westerns. You’ll read about robberies, see gunfights, watch friends turn on each other in the heat of the moment, and even deal with the supernatural. Despite the shortness(about four pages) of these tales they manage to set forth some interesting characters I’d love to see more of. Be prepared to look up writers and/or artists as you’ll want to see more of their work, maybe in the hopes that they’ve continued what they started here.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Burn the Breeze and The Last Ride of the Mustang Kid.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Seeing Red.
“How many stories are there?”
Twenty-five, most at least four pages long.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Grab the gun and the purse. She won’t be needin’ them now.”
“They’re burying her tomorrow?”
But they’re hanging him tonight.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/offintothesunset/off-into-the-sunset-anthology/description
Down Below
Down Below is an anthology of mystery, myth and murder which in this case means a lot of stories with a noir vibe and splashes of Greek gods and heroes. The tales here mostly deal with organized crime from both a criminal and a law-abiding perspective. Others are just love stories mixed with mysteries or someone searching for the truth but finding something else. If you like noir, you’ll love these stories.
“Which story was your favorite?”
I am a big lover of noir so it was hard to narrow this down. I’ll list off six: Silver Strings, Lavender Blood, Echo Chamber, The Big Apple Score, Heart of Stone, and Miss Echo.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Echo Chamber and Miss Echo.
“How many stories are there?”
Twenty-two, all four pages long.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“And she’d taken up with the worst of the worst.”
“What’d it feel like?”
Murdering an innocent man?
Physical Link: https://limitbreak.gumroad.com/l/uhdhb
Digital Link: https://limitbreak.gumroad.com/l/iyhrdb
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulcarroll/down-below-a-greek-myth-noir-anthology/description
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 8 – Change Clothes
4 Pages 16 Bars: A Visual Mixtape Volume 08 – Change Clothes isn’t really an anthology proper as it is more of a teaser for larger comics and it serves as a way to introduce people to new authors, artists, and series. If you’ve been looking for comics created by black people and people of color this is a great way to find some that might be up your alley.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Dog Years seemed interesting. Also Her.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Terry Huddleson had great art featured in here.
“How many stories are there?”
This contains comic snippets, art, and written stories. At least thirteen different major sections with many smaller things in-between.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“There was no choice, just like an infant doesn’t choose to take its first breath.”
“Have you thought of some question that would fit here?”
Nope.
Purchase Link: https://www.griotenterprises.com/4-pgs-16-bars
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/4-pages-16-bars/4-pages-16-bars-a-visual-mixtape-vol-08-change-clothes/description
Southern Gothic Volume 2
Southern Gothic Volume 2 is a…wait wait wait I know said in 2021 that the Southern Gothic Volume was just fairy tale porn, but upon accidental reread I learned that the proper genre might be horny horror! Some of those tales in the first and in this one are just creepy stories where people just so happen to get naked. Others are actually just porn though. Sometimes you gotta take the salt with the sugar. Is that how that phrase goes?
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Forest Witch.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Cindy & Verna.
“How many stories are there?”
Eleven, A few eight pagers, a few go about twelve, all but one are at least five.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Want to know how much it costs…a simple wish?”
“Why did you buy this sequel?”
It’s southern! I like stories about the south! And the theme is Gothic!
“No one will believe you.”
I’m really not lying!
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bendunn-silvercross/southern-gothic-2-back-to-the-bayou/description
Speed Of Light #1
Yeah quick update on April 3, 2023, I forgot about this one. I read it last year in February but forgot I had. But what is this about? Well it’s a collection of mostly sci-fi stories that approach the genre from a few different angles. Some are horror, some focus on exploration, and others play up the violence. How did I forget about this?
“Which story was your favorite?”
Veiled Part 1, Marrow Part 1, and A Smuggler’s Life.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
72:00 and Veiled Part 1.
“How many stories are there?”
Nine, all of them eight pages long.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“But hell is empty and the devils are here.”
“Are you on the side of AI?”
Yeah, but unfortunately he couldn’t get it done against the Lakers in 2001.
Digital Link: https://nosleeppress.gumroad.com/l/Xxlno
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/312826698/speed-of-light-black-and-white-sci-fi-magazine/description
Indiegogo Link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/speed-of-light-1/x/26236710#/
Roseblood Manor #1
Yet another update on October 12, 2023, I wasn’t going to add this but after re-reading it I think this does count as a proper anthology. I initially didn’t think it was because this has a framing story that bleeds(heh) into the individual stories a bit so that’s my bad. This is a horror collection with plenty of blood and gore and some Twilight Zone influence. Prepare for stories that creep you out in varying ways from body horror to the ominous and unsettling.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Wandering Man.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
The Wandering Man.
“How many stories are there?”
Four, if you include the framing story. 7-8 pages long for the other stories, 12 for the main.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“The good sheriff was right…roadkill ain’t half bad.”
“Is it alright if I read this at night?”
Sure, unless you scare easy.
Physical Link: https://badbugmedia.com/product/roseblood-manor-1-alessandro-amoruso/
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rosebloodmanor/roseblood-manor-1-a-horror-anthology-series/description
