Comics
Review: The Stand Soul Survivors #3
Any good piece of literature should do 3 things. One, it should grab your interest and hold onto it until the very last punctuation mark. Two, it should make you feel a range of very different and extreme emotions. And third, it must make you think. With the third issue in Aguirre-Sacassa’s “THE STAND: SOUL SURVIVORS” we are treated to such an experience. Read on for the review. 
In general the story revolves around the love triangle that consists of Fran, Harry, and Stu. Harry is the awkward everyman who has a borderline psychotic crush on Fran, whilst all the while Fran is carrying a torch for Stu. Still with me? I promise this isn’t ‘The Hills’ meets King, bear with me.
The story itself is probably the strongest of the 3 issues in the arc so far. The dramatic sequences are done just right, with Aguirre-Sacassa’s talents for writing the human emotion shinning through yet again. The moments of tenderness between Stu and Fran are excellently paralled by the tenseness of the moments when Harry is on page. If ever “THE STAND” made a triumph in character writing it is within this issue. Even the smallest touch such as Fran’s reminiscing over small everyday luxuries such as Converse and Kool-Aid are almost touching. The tenderness of the issue culminates when Fran and Stu sleep together and Fran confesses that she is pregnant. From then on the story hits a new high of dread as Harry has seen the two together, and in doing so lost every semblance of his sanity.
This all sounds very romantic, but as is the case with any King story, the horror reigns. During one sequence the group encounters a blockade in the road, where a group of bikers have been keeping women hostage for sex slaves, killing any men in their way. The encounter ends in a grisly fashion, allowing for Perkins to show off his talents. This issue also contains the most horrific of scenes for the series thus far for me, as we are shown a road that is lined with electrical poles with people crucified to them. This is heavy stuff people.
In all ‘THE STAND: SOUL SURVIVORS’ #3 is brilliant. The cliffhanger ending left me wishing for the next issue. This is a definite must read for fans of the series.
4.5 out of 5 Skulls
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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