It’s the fourth installment this year! As things have gotten colder and fires are being started for warmth, it is almost a requirement for people to get cozy and read! So here are a collection of stories that I’ve read, and you can too!*
*If they are actually available in an online store somewhere, which let’s be honest is very unlikely because comic creators hate money or something?
If you missed Part 3, click here to read it: https://thepointofclicking.com/crowdfund-comic-anthologies-ive-read-in-2025-part-3/
Noir Is the New Black: Season Two Episode One
Noir Is the New Black: Season Two Episode One is an anthology that collects three stories that are either part of a larger work or standalone. These stories all have a noir vibe and take place in both modern times and the past. The first story “The Winterfields: Fallen Angel, Part 1” is a violent and dramatic tale focuses on the father-son team who have been hired to protect a young girl. “Noh Face” blends horror and science fiction as we follow a woman who is being hunted by strange people. The last feature is “Little Rock Files, Part 2”, this is a sequel to the comic Little Rock Files #1 and it focuses on the detective Ousley who is attempting to get to the bottom of a case. The violence here is very bloody with some gruesome and gory moments. The art tends to be smooth detailed with a very strong focus on light and shadows. All of these stories are in color with realistic palettes.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The Winterfields: Fallen Angel, Part 1.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Little Rock Files, Part 2.
“How many stories are there?”
Three, from 10-14 pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“They must be made to understand that we will not go.”
“What do you think of an anthology being released like a TV show?”
I’m not the biggest fan of it, give me all the stories at once.
Purchase Link: https://fairsquaregraphics.com/product/noir-is-the-new-black-s02e01-cvr-a/
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fairsquaregraphics/noir-is-the-new-black-s02e01/description
Faster Than Light Volume 2
Faster Than Light Volume 2 is an anthology full of sci-fi stories focused on different types of love. From the romantic to the platonic, from the familial to more abstract forms, love is the driving force. The stories here tend to be dramatic though some are more humorous and others are a fluctuating mix of the two. They usually take place somewhere other than Earth in spaceships, space stations, and other planets. One tale “Satellite of Love” is about a woman looking for her ex-girlfriend on Mars. The tale “Welcome to the Family” is about miners on a moon whose work is interrupted by spider-like creatures. And the tale “Chiaroscuro” is about two women looking for art to take with them before they leave Earth. There is some bloody violence and lightly gruesome moments along with some rare gore. Most of the stories are in color with varying art styles from the sharp and serious to the rough and cartoonish.
“Which story was your favorite?”
Luke Zenith’s Wedding Day and Leaven of the Pharisees.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
Luke Zenith’s Wedding Day and Universal Language.
“How many stories are there?”
Ten stories, from 4-8 pages each.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“If these are my last moments, I’m glad this is my view.”
“Are you hype for space travel?”
Not really, I think I’ll stick to my truck.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nospelllastsforever/faster-than-light-vol-2-a-sci-fi-anthology-about-family/description
Our Monsters Volume 2
Our Monsters Volume 2 is a collection of one-page, wordless, horror stories. There are all different kinds of scares here from the creepy and eerie to monsters and body horror. Not all of these are intended to invoke fear, some can be humorous and others are puzzling. These tales have a children’s book feel and despite their very short length they still manage to envelope you in the world of the story and the mind of the characters. There isn’t any blood or gore and nothing gruesome but you might find some things grotesque. There is a bit of light violence but this is very rare. The art is black-and-white and it really does look like something you would have picked up at the library when you were seven, just with vastly different themes. It is a sometimes unsettling mix of cartoonish and the serious styles and it looks as if it was drawn with pencils.
“Which story was your favorite?”
“Hide and Seek…”, “Play Date!”, and “Fit For a Queen”.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
All the art was drawn by the same artist, Luna Ay.
“How many stories are there?”
Seventeen, all one page if you don’t count the title page that precedes each of them.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
No words here.
“When have you thought you saw something that wasn’t there?”
I stayed up too late too many days in a row; I was seeing a bunch of stuff.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bentboxcomics/our-monsters-vol-1-2-unsettling-single-page-horror-stories/description
Black & Bloody
Black & Bloody is a zine anthology filled with comics, art, and written works that are all about vampires. All of these stories star black characters and most take place in the real world. The genres are generally horror but there are occasionally romantic, humor, action, noir, and mystery themes. Many elements of the vampire mythos are present here including being turned, vampire hunters, and bat transformations. One comic “Running the Razor” is about a father-son wrestling duo who battle a vampire in the ring. Another comic entitled “Stake Me Out” is about a guy who is trying to stop a girl he has a crush on from dating a specific guy. And there is a short story “Run for Your Life” which is about a woman who goes on a date with strange man. This being an anthology about vampires there is a lot of blood here along with multiple gruesome moments(seen and implied) that lead to light gore. All of the art is primarily in black-and-white but red does appear quite frequently. The art styles range from the serious and sharp to the cartoonish and simplistic and they usually do a great job of conveying the story being told.
“Which story was your favorite?”
“Running the Razor”, “Exquisite Corpse”, and “The Last Stop”.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
“The Last Stop”, “Blood-Kind”, and “In the Night, I Am Endless”. I also like that illustration with the woman sitting at the table by Bex Glendining.
“How many stories are there?”
One poem, one short story, and fourteen comics ranging from 1-10 pages each. There are also 13 illustrations.
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“How many years since I’ve walked this life?”
“Have you ever read about Black vampires before?”
You know I don’t think I have, I don’t really read about vampires.
Kickstarter Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackindiecomixclub/black-and-bloody/description
The Undefeated #1
The Undefeated #1 is a regular-sized issue with three different stories about men dealing with loss. The writer went through a similar heartbreak and they have penned these tales about dealing with sorrow and grief. Science fiction and romance are the prominent themes. The first story is about “The Rescuer”, a superhero who is almost invincible. The second story focuses on a man with the ability to see into the future. The third and final story focuses on the richest man in the world who doesn’t want to be alone. The violence can be bloody and there are gruesome moments that lead to heavy gore. All of the art is black-and-white and it has a semi-cartoonish style. There is some nudity and sexual scenes.
“Which story was your favorite?”
The third story was the most intriguing.
“Which story had your favorite art?”
All of the art was done by the same person, Zac Atkinson.
“How many stories are there?”
Three. And they are 6, 4, and 7 pages each, with an intro page preceding the story(and an outro page at the end of the book).
“All those stories, can I get one quote?”
“Didn’t I see this coming?”
“Have you ever been heartbroken before?”
I’ve been a New Orleans Saints fan for my entire life.
