The Guide - Part 2

Roots of the Swamp Thing by Len Wein, Bernie Wrightson (illustrator), and Nestor Redondo (illustrator) (2009)– The stories within feature the early days of Swamp Thing, from first appearance to the first 13 issues of his own series.  Swamp Thing stories involve everything from classic horror to science fiction.  Great for those curious about where this horror hero came from.

Swamp Thing, vol.1: Saga of the Swamp Thing by Alan Moore , Stephen R. Bissette (illustrator), and John Totleben (illustrator) (1998)– Before making his classic work, Watchmen, Moore wrote and revitalized Swamp Thing.  Taking this hero in a new direction, Moore used it discuss social and political issues while still telling a great horror story.  Look for great, if sometimes trippy, artwork in this classic Vertigo Comics series.

Hellboy, vol.1: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola and John Byrne (2003)– Follow the exploits of the demon-turned-hero Hellboy in this, the first volume of his adventures.  Learn his origins and about a world where eldritch horrors are common place.  The art is dark and spellbinding, a perfect fit for the subject matter being told.

B.P.R.D., vol.1: Hollow Earth & Other Stories by Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, Thomas E. Sniegoski, and Ryan Sook (2004)– The B.P.R.D.(Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) is an organization existing within the same universe as Hellboy.  Their goal is to defend humanity from all the unseen evils that exist within the world.  The stories within this volume are the first to explore the adventures of Hellboy’s cohorts.

Hellblazer: Original Sins by Jamie Delano, John Ridgway (illustrator), and Alfredo Alcala (illustrator) (1997)– John Constantine lives in a world where the supernatural is real.  He is a great example of the jerk that has a good heart.  Expect a combination of noir and horror style storytelling in this series about the demon hunter, John Constantine.

Spawn Origins, vol.1 by Seth McFarlane (2009)– One of the great antiheroes of comic books is introduced in this first volume.  After dying, Al Simmons makes a deal with a demon named Malebolgia and becomes a hell spawn for his army.  Spawn is then sent back to Earth, but soon begins to rediscover his humanity.  An interesting take on the superhero concept.

Marvel Zombies by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips (illustrator) (2006)– In an alternate Marvel Universe, a virus has come down from space and infecting the world’s greatest superheroes.  Now, they are all flesh-eating monsters.  What will happen when they run out of food?  An interesting take on zombie and superhero stories.

Hack/Slash, vol.1: First Cut by Time Seeley, Stefano Caselli, and Federica Manfredi (2007)– This series explores one possible set of events that could come as the result of the end of a slasher movie.  Cassie Hack is the sole survivor of a vicious slasher named The Lunch Lady.  Now she travels the country with her partner, Vlad, trying to stop other slashers from doing what happened to her.  The art is sometimes shaky, but the story can make it worth the time to read.

Beasts of Burden: Animal Rites by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson (illustrator) (2010)– In a sleepy town, it is up to a group of dogs and one cat to protect the town from the forces of evil.  They hunt down and fight any supernatural evil that threatens their town.