A-Z Challenge: D is for...Dracula Pop-Ups!

D is for...Dracula Pop-Ups!

Again, this entry has been backdated because I missed some days of the challenge, but regardless of that, today D is for...Dracula Pop-Ups! Although I wish I had random spooky haunted house hydraulic pop-up decorations around my house to show you, I don't. So instead, I bring you this adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic Gothic horror novel, 'Dracula', in the form of a graphic novel / pop-up book.  

Much to my delight, I received this book as a birthday present last year, along with a pop-up version of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' by the same company and another 'Dracula' pop-up book by a different publisher. This one is a collaboration between three people: Clare Bampton (story adaptation), Anthony Williams (illustrations) and David Hawcock (pop-ups).

Back view of the pop-up below

Having read the original novel and watched so many film adaptations that I've lost count (no pun intended), this one was quite a fun, visually impressive format for 'Dracula' to take. Both sides of the pop-ups are printed, so there's no white card on the back showing up to ruin the atmosphere, and they are also extremely intricate. In addition to the main pop-up in the centre of each double page spread, the side panels also fold out to reveal more of the narrative and numerous mini-pop-ups. 

The main downside to this book is that is simply isn't long enough to encompass the entire story properly and so only major plot points are included. It still makes sense as a whole, but it feels somewhat rushed and incomplete at times, which you don't get with serialised graphic novels, as they are far longer.

I think it would probably be better suited to older children or possibly even younger teens, as a precursor to reading the novel, rather than older teens and adults. Having said that, I still adore the elaborate pop-ups, and it's a fairly unusual and aesthetically pleasing addition to my horror collection! 

This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

Comics & Art: Charles Addams

Charles Addams (1912 - 1988), aged  63 (Photo: Wikipedia)

If you happen to use Google search today, you'll notice that it's taken on a delightfully spooky look. That, dear devils, is because today is the 100th birthday of American artist Charles Addams, the creator of the legendary Addams Family comic strip. Or rather, it would have been, had he not passed away in September 1988. That technicality aside, it's wonderful that we can still all enjoy the fabulously macabre wit that Addams left behind!

Addams Family Google "Doodle", celebrating the 100th anniversary of Charles Addams' birth

Tee & Charles Addams Foundation

Comics: Zomblicity Print Issues 1 - 3

The UK based zombie web comic 'Zomblicity', by Robin Sandiford & Farcreazy Farid, will soon hit stores in a print version. Issues 1, 2 (part 1), 2 (part 2) and 3 are now available for pre-order on the Zomblicity website.

Zomblicity Book Preorder:

Get in early before the stores and get your hands on these Limited Edition prints of Zomblicity, for a discounted price (RRP £3.50). First issues come sealed with sticker packs.

Price: £3.00 GBP
Postage & packing: £1.50 GBP

You can also buy stickers and the iPhone download version of Zomblicity on the webstore as well as t-shirts from libbyvickers.com.

Art & Comics: Zombie Rust

'Lucky Number Seven' by Zombie Rust

'Little Blood Red Riding Hood' by Zombie Rust

Specialising in horror-themed and morbid subject matters, Zombie Rust is an artist and creator of the comics 'The Boogeyman's Real', 'Towel Dipped In Blood' and 'Cannibal Feast'. As a self-taught artist Zombie Rust has developed a distinctive and impacting style that uses minimal, but striking, colours against backgrounds that are often monochrome or sepia. The heavy shading also makes Rust's works reminiscent of classic horror movies, with their hard lighting and grotesque shadows, which gives the pieces a wonderfully creepy feel. 

This style is particularly evident in 'The Black Album' section, where the images have been created entirely in black & white. Each stroke has a purposefully rough, sketchy quality to it and even if Rust were to depict a cute fluffy kitten with a teddy bear in this way, it would, no doubt, seem gloriously sinister.

'Untitled' by Zombie Rust, from 'The Black Album'

Though largely in black and white, Rust's comics also carry his distinguishing style. There are three in progess comics available for preview on his website; a somewhat non-fictional story about the Manson Family, 'Towel Dipped in Blood', 'Cannibal Feast', a tale of madness and survival, and 'The Boogeyman's Real', which features the pumpkin-headed "boogeyman" from some of Rust's other pieces.

'Certain as the Moon' by Zombie Rust

Rust describes himself as:

"The skull faced, empty eyed, icy handed, dressed in black figure, that soulless façade behind the weird name Zombie Rust is actually a raised by wolves human who came to be a self taught artist obsessed with records, movies, books and comics."

'The Monster' by Zombie Rust

'The Night He Came Home' by Zombie Rust

It is perhaps, then, somewhat unsurprising to learn that his website has a 'Fan Art' section, in which there are several excellent works featuring familiar faces from the world of shocks and scares; Michael Myers of Halloween, Ju-on's Kayako and both Christopher Lee and Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula, to name but a few. In addition to horror legends, the fan arts also depict other stars of the screen like Clint Eastwood and Pam Grier, as well as musicians such as Alice Cooper and The Cramps. Rust's artistic style lends itself very well to such pieces and the portraits/scenes are recognisable and familiar, but equally unique.

'Toe Tag' by Zombie Rust

To see more of Zombie Rust's work and read his three comics, you can visit the sites below:

Zombie Rust's Website

The Boogeyman's Real Tumblr

Slash the Zombie Art Blog

Many thanks to Zombie Rust for permission to use the images.

Comics: Zomblicity



'Zomblicity' Issue I Cover



Last year, the new zombie-themed UK webcomic 'Zomblicity', by writer Robin Sandiford and illustrator Farcreazy Farid was launched. You might be thinking "there's already so many zombie stories around right now, why should I read this?" and you'd be right to ask that, because it is a popular genre at the moment. However, 'Zomblicity' is different because it takes the usual idea of an undead apocalypse and, using something of a parallel universe twist, allows the reader to see the same character's story, through two separate perspectives - zombie and human.

The main character is Curtis in both plotlines but, he's a zombie in one reality and a suvivor in the other. The difference between the scenarios that causes this change? In the human take, he wakes up half an hour late, doesn't get bitten by a zombie and learns to fight the infected instead.  Having said that, he does seem aware of the time shifting at some points, so perhaps there will be something more to events than it first seems.

'Zomblicity' Issue I

The illustration is good too and fits well with the story. Even though there's a lot going on, layout-wise, on some pages, it gives the action a more film-like quality. Indeed, the whole first issue seems a little like a very detailed film storyboard rather that a comic, or perhaps even a Japanese manga, with its random-angled frames and showing of multiple shots of the same event. That isn't a bad thing at all though. In fact, whether it was intentional or not, it again adds another aspect of duplicity, this time, within the same timeframe.

'Zomblicity' already seems promising and is getting better as it continues and the characters develop more. I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses over the next issues as more personalities and storylines emerge. For a sneak peak at some characters to come, take a look in the 'Art' section on the website.

If you'd like to find out more, or read Issues I - II part 2, you can check out 'Zomblicity' below:

Zomblicity Website

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TV: The Walking Dead

For those of you who may not know it yet; the American comic book series "The Walking Dead" has now been adapted into a TV series, which premiered on October 31st. Even though only two episodes have been released so far,  it has already been announced that there will be a second season due to the big success this TV adaptation is having.

These comics related the trip of a few people trying to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. It's mainly centered around Rick Grimes, a local police officer, who falls into a coma after being shot. When he wakes up days later at the hospital, he finds it totally abandoned and full of corpses... and zombies.

I have to say I didn't have the chance to read the comics but the two episodes released until now are really worth watching. So, if you like zombies or just have nothing better to do, give it a try.  This series is as delicious as some big braaaaaaiiiiiiiiiinnnsss......

Games: New Left 4 Dead Missions and Comic!

The game Left for Dead has been around for a while, and has been a firm favourite of mine, as it involves three things that always seem to equal fun: Chainsaws. Zombies. Blood. The stylings of this game helps to set a fun b-movie atmosphere as you team up with 3 other players against an unending horde of zombies!

In this photo "The Sacrifice" appears to be a zombie!!! (of course)

"Welcome to the first chapter in our four-part Left 4 Dead comic, the Sacrifice! Find out what happens after the military rescued Francis, Louis, Zoey, and Bill at the end of the original Left 4 Dead in four weekly installments, each a whopping 40-plus pages of story and art. Then, download the new DLC “The Sacrifice”, where we put the story’s conclusion into your hands."

For those who don't know it (you would have to have been hiding in your zompocalypse fallout shelter not to) there is a new mission pack coming on the 5th October, well in time for halloween. But first there has been a online comic book released to help set the mood!

More details about this and "the Sacrifice" campaign after the jump!

Art: Junko Mizuno

Japanese artist Junko Mizuno debuted in 1996 but first gained attention in 1998 with her 'Pure Trance' manga series, and has since made a name for herself as an artist and illustrator. Inspired by shoujo manga (girls' comics), many of her works combine cute, sexy (and happy) female characters with gory scenes, monsters or grotesque situations. The result is really effective and original and I love it! Her more recent art has been less horror-influenced, but it's still interesting. Of course, her style won't be for everyone though, as it's quite cutesy and cartoonish, but to me, it's fantastic!

For more information, take a look at the following sites:

Official Site

Official Blog

Junko Mizuno Fansite

Miznotic Fantasy (Fansite)

Poison Candy (Fansite)