Customer Reviews

Tales from the Crypt #1: Ghouls Gone Wild

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I guess I should pay more attention to the details before I order something. This "Graphic Novel" is about the size of a DVD case.As far as content goes, the stories are alright. Cant match COMPLETELY DOOMED for writing quality. It just needs to be a regular sized graphic novel.

Being a HUGE fan of the original pre-code EC horror comics, I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that someone had licensed the property and was publishing new material under the "Tales from the Crypt" impremeture. With the history and importance of the original EC books on pop-culture and the horror genre, it seemed a reasonable assumption that these guys should be able to get some of today's top horror and comic writers and artists to contribute to the worthwhile effort of bringing EC horror to the audiences of today.

However, I was disappointed when I actually received the book. Yes, the book is small--about the size of a regular paperback--but that doesn't bother me in the slightest. My problem is with the conceptual presentation and the quality of the material. In the original EC books, the Ghoulunatics never interacted together, insead hosting their own stories in solo fashion; while they were a bit silly--cracking jokes, making puns, addressing the hapless characters in the stories, and breaking the fouth wall to address the reader--they also managed to maintain a sinsiter and creepy feel to them. In these new books, they are portrayed a little like the Three Stooges, interacting together in a bumbling, buffoonish manner that doesn't become them.

My biggest issue, however, is with the art. Somebody mentioned the lack of realism in these books, but that doesn't bother me too terribly much. I enjoy stylized artwork. The original EC artists varied from realism (George Evans, Reed Crandall, Al Williamson) to highly stylized (Jack Davis, "Ghastly" Graham Ingles, Bernie Krigstein). The difference here being that those guys were GOOD! I don't recognize most, if any, of the artists illustrating these new books and the quality of their art, the inking, and the coloring leaves a LOT to be desired. For me, the art in these new books ranges from sub-par to downright poor, which is a BIG disservice to the memory of the original EC books and their fans.

The writing is okay. The stories do have the traditional twist ending, but I miss the admittedly dated 1950's feel of the originals, although I'm not sure that would be a wise thing to adhere to in the 2000's. Still, the writing is a bit hit-or-miss and being that they are publishing "Tales from the Crypt", I'm sure there would be no shortage of top-notch, well-known horror and comic writers who harbor a great love and understanding of the original EC books who would be quite happy to contribute... probably for a lot less than their going rate.

The hardcover editions of these new books are quality items and are made to hold up. They make a nice addition to the ol' bookshelf. As a die-hard fan of EC and their horror titles I will continue to purchase these books in the hope that they will improve over time. However, if you want to experience the real deal, check out the current EC Archives being published by Gemstone and available right here on Amazon. They are beautiful hardcover, graphic novel sized volumes that reprint the original books in chronological order and in color. So far, they've published three volumes of "Tales from the Crypt", one volume of "The Vault of Horror", and the first volume of "The Haunt of Fear" is forthcoming. They're a bit pricey but they're defintiely worth it for comic book fans/historians, horror fans, and pop-culture buffs.

Also, fans of horror and horror comics and EC should probably check out the Creepy Archives being published by Dark Horse. These reprint Creepy magazine which began being published not quite 10 years after the demise of the EC horror mags, and while the writing leaves a lot to be desired, the art is handled largely by the EC veteran artists and sport some beuatiful covers by the legendary Frank Frazetta.

Cheers & chills!

Brent

The artwork is not impressive and there is no comparison between the artwork of new and the original work. The stories are more modernized. I found it entertaining, but I really miss the real deal!

I was curious as to what other reviewers thought. I was thinking it was just me, but it wasn't.

As mentioned in other reviews, this newest addition to the Tales from the Crypt universe is a small book with just a few stories. The book itself is of good quality, but the art and stories are a bit different.

The artwork is not consistent throughout as different artists handle each of the stories within. It is more "art" than realistic, which is a little disappointed to people who like a bit of gore in their horror.

Also, the stories are quick but typical in that you don't see the ending. With the preview of a future story at the back of the book, I thought I was getting too much information, which would ruin the story. Much to my delight, I didn't see the ending coming.

Not only are the stories quick, but they seemed to be updated for the modern audience, but also directed more for the typical reader of Tales.

Overall, it was a good read, but I would have liked a bit more given the expense put into the manufacture of the book. With this few stories, I would have expected a comic book format.

Let me preface this by stating that any comparison between the original "Tales From the Crypt" and this incarnation is pretty much an apples and oranges deal. Anyone familiar with the original EC comics knows that these were several cuts (no pun intended)above all other comics published to that time.
This new series, while using the name and signature characters of the original, is not meant to continue the EC method of delivery.
These books are clearly meant for a young adult (not children) audience and have a tamer approach to the material. The artwork is certainly a matter of taste, but I don't care for much of it. Some of its more modern influences distract from the stories. The stories are decent, but just don't expect EC pre-code horror here.
With that in mind, I think it's worth a try to those fans who enjoyed "Goosebumps" and the like when they were younger.

A mildly entertaining re-vamp of EC's 1950's series written for a younger and more modern audience. Unfortunately this book doesn't do justice to the quality that the original series offered and the overall horror is definitely watered down but if you take it for what it is, you may find this book a decent way to kill 30 minutes or so.

Terrible artwork and bad writing. An insult to the great EC tradition.Will not be buying any more of these.

It's almost too good to be true. The Cryptkeeper, The Old Witch and the Vault-Keeper have returned from the Grave!
When I first heard about these I thought they were going to be another set a reprints - and later when I found out they were all NEW stories I nearly died. I had to read them. I hoped that they would do the old was honor. And they do! HORROR COMICS ARE THEY ONLY ONES I READ. I love not only the goodies from EC, but House of Mystery, The Witching Hour, Ripley's Believe it or Not True Ghost Stories and True Demons and Monsters, The Unexpected. Every Horror Comic is my fiend! And these new Tales from my Favorite Host are very Reminiscent of my classics from the 50's. YES the art work did bug me for a while. I'm a huge fan of the Old 50's style w/ the heavy shading, but I got past that REALLY quickly. And lucky some of the stories do have a look that is very close to the originals. The Stories really fallow the same models from the past. Each w/ a moral lesson and Justice being served NOT by a Costumed hero, BUT by an Undead Ghoul from Beyond the grave.
In short! I LOVE THEM! I can't wait for more. I would love to see Papercutz also releasing The Vault of Horror and The Haunt of Fear! I would drop dead for that! BUT at least my good old friend the Crypt-Keeper is Hack!