Once upon a time, nestled in the darkest depths of an ancient forest, there lived a sinister witch with a spine-tinglingly creepy reputation. Whispers of her wickedness spread like wildfire among the villagers, instilling a sense of fear and dread in their hearts. She was said to possess an insatiable thirst for power and a penchant for casting diabolical spells on unsuspecting victims. This witch, known as Morgana, had earned her place as the embodiment of evil in the eyes of the townsfolk. Her sagas were whispered late at night, invoking shivers down the spines of even the bravest souls. Morgana's wickedness knew no bounds as she performed dark and twisted rituals in the heart of her crumbling cottage.
Morgana's wickedness knew no bounds as she performed dark and twisted rituals in the heart of her crumbling cottage. With each new moon, she would gather rare and forbidden ingredients, using them to concoct potions of maleficent power. Her eerie chants echoed through the trees, sending chills down the spines of all who heard them.
Dive into Spooky season with spine-tingling tales | Comic Box
Spooky season. It’s all anyone seems to be talking about right now.
I don’t know what changed, but at some point the people of America decided they love Halloween more than ever. As I have said before, I have no complaints about this. Autumn and winter are my favorite seasons; Halloween is definitely in my top two favorite holidays; and, overall, horror and monsters and everything like them are pretty big for me.
Every year, in addition to the oncoming cold weather, I look forward to all the new books that come out around this time that celebrate the entirety of the Halloween season.
Before I look at them, though, I’d like to look back at some of my all-time favorites and give everyone a chance to dig through their back issues or the back issues at their favorite comic shop to revisit some seasonally appropriate books.
My all-time favorite is Richard Moore’s long since finished “Boneyard,” the story of Paris and his inheriting of a plot of land from his eccentric grandfather. Of course, this patch of earth is in fact the eponymous boneyard of the little town of Raven’s Hollow. The town is more than willing to shower Paris with wealth and thanks if only he will let them destroy the cemetery, which it turns out is the home to various monsters straight from the greatest horror movies and novels. The leader of the group is the beautiful vampire Abbey, and by her side stand Brutus the Frankenstein monster and his buxom wife from the black lagoon; Ralph the werewolf; the demon Glump; Hilda the witch; and Edgar the wisecracking crow, among others. Moore’s “Boneyard” is a great way to ease you into spooky season. It is more witty and fun than horrific and hair-raising.
In a similar vein, but definitely more ominous, is Arthur de Pins' “Zombillenium.” Originally published in France before being brought to America by NBM Publishing, the series is currently on its fourth prestige-sized volume in the States. The main characte, Aurelian, doesn’t inherit a strange plot of land; rather, he dies and “wakes” up on the grounds of Zombillenium, Disneyland as seen through the eyes of a horror aficionado. Aurelian’s main ally is the young witch Gretchen as he explores the strange new world he has come to inhabit. As the series goes on, the darkness behind the scenes of Zombillenium and the world itself is explored in ever greater and more ominous detail.
Of course, for many of us, the Halloween season is about real horror. In that case, you might want to dig up Scott Snyder’s “Wytches.” The first issue of “Wytches” starts in 1919 with a woman trapped in a tree, and everything gets more horrific from there as we jump forward to the present day. It turns out that the witches who were burned at the stake in the early years of the American colonies worshipped the wytches, and those creatures had power unlike anything we could imagine. They still want what they are owed and they are more than willing to cut a deal with anyone foolish enough to listen to their whispers. The only thing they require is payment, and the new family in town has no idea what kind of people they have come to live among. Snyder sets up a story of the horrors humans inflict upon themselves and others while blaming the darkness outside us, and reminds us again that no matter how far we leave behind our ancient world we will always take a piece of it with us into the future. It is a horror story on multiple levels, and sure to chill readers more than any cool autumn night.
Finally we have Ian Mondrick’s “Tomb of the White Horse,” an apocalyptic tale told in a series of single issues produced and released via Kickstarter. This story starts around Christmas, but there’s nothing cheery about it. It starts with a man returning to work after losing his wife and newborn child due to pregnancy complications, and on the same night a mysterious box triggers horrible visions in each of the men there who touch it. The horror escalates rapidly, and it isn’t long before the only one left alive is the widower under the ruins of his workplace as he watches a skeletal monstrosity break free from its prison, promising that his release is only the first tragedy to befall the planet. All of this presages Mondrick’s soon to be released follow up, “The Tomb of the Red Horse,'' which promises to be even more horrific if the cover is anything to go by.
Like Mondrick’s “Tomb of the White Horse,” this is just the start. The season is upon us and the horror stories will continue to roll in even as you look back at the ones that have come before.
WILLIAM KULESA can be reached at [email protected].
Every year, in addition to the oncoming cold weather, I look forward to all the new books that come out around this time that celebrate the entirety of the Halloween season.
The villagers were in constant fear of Morgana's monstrous creations, for they had witnessed the horrifying consequences of her black magic firsthand. Legend had it that Morgana's powers stemmed from a cursed amulet she wore around her neck. The amulet, rumored to be infused with the essence of dark spirits, granted Morgana unimaginable power and immortality. With each passing century, her malevolence grew deeper, turning her once human heart black as night. No longer did she feel compassion or remorse, delighting instead in the suffering she caused. With time, the villagers grew tired of living in perpetual fear. Determined to end Morgana's reign of terror, a brave group of individuals banded together to face the witch head-on. They embarked on a perilous journey, venturing deeper into the haunted forest towards Morgana's lair. As they approached her dilapidated cottage, its eerie glow through the fog sent chills down their spines. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, and the sound of cackling laughter permeated the night. Steadying themselves, the group entered the cottage, prepared to face whatever horrors awaited them. Inside, they encountered rooms filled with ancient tomes, grotesque potions, and eerie artifacts. The walls seemed to whisper secrets of Morgana's past as they pressed onwards, desperate to put an end to her wickedness. A battle ensued, dark spells colliding with the valiant efforts of the villagers. Energy crackled in the air, threatening to consume them all. In a dramatic climax, the amulet at the center of Morgana's power was shattered, causing a shockwave that reverberated through the forest. Morgana's immortality was broken, and her powers dissipated into thin air. The villagers stood victorious, the dark saga of Morgana the witch finally coming to an end. From that day forward, the villagers lived in peace, their nightmares of Morgana's wickedness fading into distant memories. It served as a reminder that even the most fearsome creatures could be defeated with bravery and unity. Though the forest still whispered tales of Morgana's reign, her saga drifted into the realm of legends – a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked power and the strength of the human spirit..
Reviews for "Witch Hunt: A Gripping Saga of Evil and Deception"
1. John Doe - 1 out of 5 stars
I found "A spine tinglingly creepy witch saga" to be incredibly boring and uninspiring. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The supposed creepy elements felt forced and failed to create any sense of suspense or fear. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a truly creepy witch saga.
2. Jane Smith - 2 out of 5 stars
While "A spine tinglingly creepy witch saga" had potential, it ultimately fell short in delivering on its promises. The pacing was slow, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The main characters were underdeveloped and lacked complexity, making it hard to connect with them. Additionally, the creepy elements were too mild and didn't have the desired impact. Overall, I was expecting more from this witch saga and was left feeling unsatisfied.
3. Robert Johnson - 2 out of 5 stars
"A spine tinglingly creepy witch saga" failed to live up to its title. The storyline lacked originality and seemed like a recycled version of other witch sagas I have read before. The creepy moments were scarce and didn't elicit the desired fear or suspense. The writing style was also lackluster, making it hard to stay engaged with the narrative. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations and I would not recommend it to others seeking a truly spine tingling experience.