By: John C. Mayberry
Of any horror-themed comics released, very few of them can hold a torch to the horror comics of yesterday. There’s just this impression of camp and creepiness they exuded that, to this day, cannot be matched…until maybe now. With the release of another Ahoy Comics title, Project: Cryptid, I was thoroughly excited to see that someone was attempting to bring back the vibe of old school horror in comics. And after reading issues one and two, I can definitely assure you all this is one series that pays homage to the horror comics that a lot of us have missed for a long time.
Presented in an anthology like style, you get the privilege of not just the comic story, but an additional short story at the end which, as Ahoy Comics seems to enjoy doing, provides readers with a variety of at least three short, but very entertaining tales. The main stories focus on a variety of cryptids, rare creatures like the yeti or chupacabra, told in short stories in a way that feels like you’re watching an episode of Tales From The Crypt, carrying the feel of classic comic book horror with a touch of humor that makes it such an addicting read. Writing and character dialogue both really help to make the stories what they are, with the visual excellence of the illustrators involved in this work providing the perfect accentuation to a fantastic script.
With that said, I think what I’ll do now is go out and try to see how many issues of Project: Cryptid I can get my hands on, because this title has already become a favorite of mine, just as I’m sure it will be a favorite to those of you lucky enough to read it. And trust me, stories that, despite their length, still manage to tell a full tale that’s truly entertaining, together with stupendous artwork, is a true privilege to behold. When these stories are presented in a way that mimics the classic comic book horror feel, it just makes it something truly special for both horror and comic book fans alike. If you haven’t yet, go get your copies of this series immediately before I hoard them for myself!
