Last year DC Comics’ Vertigo line introduced an interesting new take on the killer werewolf trope with the full-color mini-series Wolf Moon, written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Jeremy Haun. In it the werewolf is not a person, or even a group of people: It’s a malevolent transforming spirit that hops from person to person every rise of the full moon, making it difficult to track and nearly impossible to stop. Dillon was one of the werewolf’s former targets — and he is determined to find the werewolf spirit and destroy it once and for all. Now just in time for Halloween, Vertigo have announced that Wolf Moon #1 to #6 have been collected in a single trade paperback edition coming in late October.
Werewolf
Here Come the Wolves
Moving to a new town can be hard. Being a half-vampire/half-werewolf hybrid only makes things more complicated. But that’s what confronts teenage Angela, the protagonist of the Alpha Wolf series of books by horror and paranormal author Jennifer Maimone. Making matters more interesting is the fact that Angela’s best friends are all pure werewolves. Then a local werewolf brings them shocking news: Something powerful and demonic has been slaughtering local witches… and may soon turn its attention to werewolves. That’s the start of Demon’s Prize, the first book in the series, with the sequel A Cursed Soul coming out next year. The author’s web site has links to several places you can check out or purchase her books.
Beware the Wolf Bearing Gifts
Next month, Yen Press will premier a new hardcover black & white graphic novel based on The Wolf Gift, author Anne Rice’s new take on werewolves in the modern world. “When reporter Reuben Golding arrives at a secluded mansion at the request of the home’s mysterious female owner, he doesn’t expect this assignment will lead to him being inexplicably attacked-bitten-by a beast shadowed in darkness. This single event prompts a terrifying but seductive transformation that both opens Reuben’s eyes to what was previously unseen and unknown, and leads to even more questions. Why was he given this wolf gift? Is its nature good or evil? And is he now all alone in this mysterious new world?” The Wolf Gift was adapted and illustrated by Ashley Marie Witter. You can order it over at Barnes & Noble.
Centurions of Fur and Claw
We’ll finish up our werewolf triple-play with this one. Later this month Alterna Comics will release Empire of the Wolf issues #1 through #4 as a singe graphic novel in trade paperback. From Previews: “During the Roman conquest of Britain, a werewolf’s bite re-ignites the legendary feud between Romulus and Remus, pitting two centurions against each other in an epic war of werewolves that will decide the fate of Roman Empire itself. Empire of the Wolf is the saga that reveals the myth behind the history of ancient Rome. ” It’s written by Michael Kogge and illustrated by Dan Parsons.
A Werewolf with Regrets
Action Lab must be on a werewolf kick lately. This one is from their Danger Zone imprint: “Pearl City is full of vampires, zombies, werewolves, and more. In a futuristic world where supernatural beings live among humans in peace, Jack Crimson finds his life as a werewolf frustrating and wants nothing more than a cure. Desperate to free himself from this curse, he makes a series of decisions leading him down a path that will change his life forever.” Crimson Society is written by Mike Hunau and illustrated in full color by Carlos Trigo. You can go have a look-see over at Comixology.
Howling Dixie
The power of Nature (for good and bad) runs headlong into The Evil That Men Do in Southern Dog, a new full-color 4-issue comic miniseries from Jeremy Holt (writing) and Alex Diotto (art). “When awkward high school teen Jasper Dixon conceals an injury sustained during a hunting excursion with his family, his infected wolf bite combined with the hormonal changes of puberty triggers a disturbing physical transformation. Now he’s forced to confront his Deep South upbringing and monsters far worse than what he’s become!” It’s out now from Action Lab, and you can get a preview over at Comic Book Resources.
One Bad Werewolf
This month, Image Comics brings us the first trade paperback collection of Bad Dog, titled Volume 1: In the Land of Milk and Money. “Two bounty hunters, an angst-ridden werewolf and his deviant partner, stumble through the southwest in search of cash, booze, and the meaning of life. Mostly, they find booze.” Bringing together issues #1 through #6 of this full-color series by writer Joe Kelly and artist Diego Greco, Milk and Money is available now at Comic Book Round Up.
Dogs (and Cats) vs. Dark Powers
In 2005 Evan Dorkin (writer) and Jill Thompson (artist) won an Eisner Award for their original comic book series Beasts of Burden, about a haunted small town and the local dogs and cats who do nightly battle with the deadly forces of evil trying to invade. Now comes the brand-new Beasts of Burden: Hunters and Gatherers, a one-shot full-color comic designed to introduce new readers to the animals of Burden Hill and their struggles. This time around, our furry heroes discover that a friendly half-werewolf might just be more help than they bargained for. Hunters and Gatherers will be available at comic book stores this March, from Dark Horse Press.