We’re in a new age of horror anthology comics. Oni Press will soon revive EC Comics as an imprint with two new titles. Though both Marvel and DC tend to slant their horror to still use their superheroes, they’ve both gotten into the game with occasional specials. Now BOOM! Studios has opened the door and literally said, “Hello Darkness.”
Just in time for Comic-Con, the first issue of Hello Darkness will hit comics shops. An all-star talent roster fills the first issue, which will include serialized stories in addition to spooky one-shots. For some, you’ll come for the R.L. Stine and be hooked by the Sarah Gailey. I’m also pretty stoked to note that Shawn Patrick Boyd and Elijah Henry of the self-published Winona Forever have a story accepted for a later issue. (Complete self-aggrandization here — I encouraged Shawn in his journey because dammit, I recognized talent.) If you’ve followed Elijah’s Instagram account, you may have seen that he enjoys drawing eldritch horror, and it’s the right blend of disturbing and entertaining.
This one’s going on my pull list, and I’ll let BOOM! Studios’ press release explain further why.
From BOOM! Studios:
Horror fans rejoice in cadaverous delight, because HELLO DARKNESS is a brand new ongoing anthology series featuring what BOOM! Studios is known for–the best in modern Horror, Fantasy, and Mystery, not to mention the darkest stories yet from a murderer’s row of world class creators including R.L. Stine, Francesco Francavilla, Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, Brian Azzarello, Vanesa R. Del Rey, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, Cullen Bunn, Sas Milledge, Sarah Gailey, Liana Kangas, Marguerite Bennett, Michael Conrad, Martín Morazzo, Andy Lanning, Trevor Hairsine, Steve Orlando, Genevieve Valentine, Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Letizia Cadonici, Sarah Andersen, and more! Everything from primal fears to modern political horrors will be explored, in the classic style of Creepy and Eerie and the contemporary chills of Black Mirror.
A deadly new Something Is Killing The Children story unfolds in the first 6 issues of HELLO DARKNESS, along with a bone-rattling new serialized tale by Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan in the first 7!
Fans can also expect stunning main covers by Paolo Rivera, variant covers by Jenny Frison, and a rotating guest artist variant cover on every single issue, with issue #1’s guest artist being Peach Momoko!
“This brings me back to Tales from the Crypt and the other horror comics I devoured as a kid. I’m so excited to be part of this anthology series designed to make the world a scarier place!” said R.L. Stine.
“I’ve been a fan of R.L. Stine and his work (Goosebumps, Fear Street, etc.) for some time and I’ve been a fan of all horror things my whole life. So I’m very excited to be joining creative forces with him for a brand new scary tale for BOOM!’s new anthology. Can’t wait for you all to embark on this spine-chilling journey with us!” said Francesco Francavilla.
“It’s always a pleasure having a story in an anthology title, seeing what the other creative teams have come up with, being just one part of a larger endeavor. This time out I have the added bonus of working with the always excellent Becky Cloonan, something I’ve wanted to do for some time–I’m looking forward to the readers seeing what we’ve come up with together. Brace yourself for The War.” said Garth Ennis.
“My whole career started writing comic shorts, so it’s very exciting to bring it all around full circle and tell a SIKTC story in that format. The story Werther and I are going to be telling here is one that’s been in the back of my mind for almost five years, and I’m thrilled we finally have the perfect platform to bring that story to readers.” said James Tynion IV.
“I love anthologies! So many talented writers and artists in a single book! It’s a truly amazing comics experience.” said Werther Dell’Edera
“Ryan Sook is a brilliant storyteller, so thank you Hello Darkness for giving us a chance to work together again!” said John Arcudi.
“25 years ago John Arcudi and I first collaborated in a horror anthology. Now we’ve returned from the grave with bleached pulp pages smeared and spattered black with ink and blood to share the endless nightmare that is Hello Darkness. Join us forever, won’t you?” said Ryan Sook.
“I’m excited to be part of this spooky team. Life is not fun without a good scare!” said Vanesa R. Del Rey.
“Getting to work with Liana Kangas again is like hopping into my favorite getaway car: everything feels just right and I know we’re about to burn rubber together. I am so excited to steer into horror for Hello Darkness alongside my truly evil co-creator.” said Sarah Gailey.
“Well, fans of BOOM! Studios and horror comics, Sarah Gailey and I are back back back again! If you thought Know Your Station was superb, chilling, or down right justifiably dreadful, I can’t wait for you to see what we’re cooking up next! See you all soon…” said Liana Kangas.
“Hello Darkness has been an exquisite opportunity to tell the kind of story that every other publisher turned away for being too upsetting, too sexual, too angry. If you want horror without shame, look no further!” said Marguerite Bennett.
“After seeing the incredible talent I’ll be sharing credit with I’m completely sure Hello Darkness is going to be really special! And I cannot even begin to tell you what my story is about! Something very fun and twisted, exactly what I love!” said Martín Morrazzo.
“Let’s take a moment and rejoice! TRUE horror is back, and her name is Hello Darkness.” said Michael Conrad.
“Hello Darkness was one hell of an offer–tell the horror short you’ve always wanted to tell…no! The one you couldn’t tell anywhere else! I self defenestrated at the chance–and the result is a strange short that’s part John Waters and part Nikolai Gogol, something never before put to the comics pages!” said Steve Orlando.
“Sometimes, the only way to meet horror is with horror. We’re living in frightening times, and in Hello Darkness I hope to stare back at some of the terrors staring at us.” said Genevieve Valentine.
“Working with BOOM! has always felt like being in a community of under-sung geniuses. I’m happy to be part of this anthology, but I’m even happier that I get to see what everyone else came up with.” said Jude Ellison S. Doyle.
“I’m having so much fun working on this book! Jude’s writing is always so brilliant and amazing. I’m so glad to be part of this project, this is gonna be a scary one.” said Letizia Cadonici.
“I’m a huge fan of horror stories and grew up reading classics like Eerie, Creepy, House of Mystery, and Tomb of Dracula. So when BOOM! gave me the opportunity to work on a new horror anthology along with my old mate, Trev Hairsine, I jumped at it. I’m really excited for people to see our story, especially Trev’s amazing artwork and I’m just as excited to read the other stories as well. Any fan of great horror stories would be!” said Andy Lanning.
HELLO DARKNESS #1 will be available in comic shops July 24, 2024.
