Review- The Nightmare Factory Vol. 2

THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY VOL. 2 (Fox Atomic/ Harper Collins, 2008; Softcover)

Original Graphic Novel

Writers: Thomas Ligotti, with adaptations by Joe Harris and Stuart Moore

Artists: Vasillis Lolos, Bill Sienkiewicz, Tony Cypress, and Nick Stakal

I think that this series of graphic novels might have done better if they went the floppy (single issue) route first and then collected them in trade paperbacks. Most folks won't buy books blind ( even though I do it all of the time), especially with untested material from a writer they have never heard of. It's a shame that these two graphic novels sank like a stone, with hardly any notice in comic book circles. I didn't even notice them when they came out. I stumbled across them in discount bins.

Bill Sienkiewicz artwork from The Clown Puppet.

These stories are excellent, and every bit as enjoyable as the ones in Volume One. I love the psychological Horror aspect of this book. When something is as visceral as, say, Crossed, it is just graphic. That's not true Horror, in my opinion. While I enjoy Crossed immensely, it doesn't really make me think like these stories do. The human mind is far more terrifying than anything under the sun, and when a writer is able to bore into your brain, then you end up with something special like The Nightmare Factory.

The OCD zone- The cover of this one also feels unpleasant to the touch, but not anywhere near as bad as Volume One. The paper is the same super thick, high quality coated stock.

Review- The Nightmare Factory Vol. 1

THE NIGHTMARE FACTORY (Fox Atomic/ Harper Collins, 2007; Softcover)

Original Graphic Novel

Writers: Thomas Ligotti, with adaptations by Stuart Moore and Joe Harris

Artists: Colleen Doran, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, and Michael Gaydos

Yet another bargain bin find, I was surprised when I got to this one in the backlog. Where did this come from? Is this book so evil that it planted itself into my collection in order to enslave my soul? I must have picked this up when I was on one of my more adventurous kicks. The artwork is quite different from story to story, and for the most part it works for each respective story. The writing is superb, with these stories being incredibly layered and nuanced. The ideas Ligotti has have bore themselves into my brain like maggots into a rotting corpse, and are forcing me to reflect on their foulness.

The Last Feast of Harlequin is the best, with it's H.P. Lovecraft ancient ones flavored evil. I am a big fan of psychological Horror and suspense, and Ligotti (with Moore and Harris) deliver it in spades. I am not sure if I bought this book or if I am cursed and it has chosen to possess me. Either way, there's no turning back...

The OCD zone- I dislike the way that the cover of this book feels in my hands. It's uncoated cardstock and it has a rough, gritty feel to it that makes me ill. I was a stockboy in my adolescence, and one of my tasks was stocking shelves with liquor bottles. Gilby's Gin had frosted glass some 20 plus years ago, and it made me feel ill and creepy crawly just touching it for an instant. This book gave me a similar feeling and brought back that memory from way back when. The paper is at least super thick, high quality coated stock. I just wish that the cover didn't feel so gross.