Kevin VanHook

This is a ridiculous book, which should be obvious from the title alone. Sadly, however, it's a pale imitation of what could have been an amazing comic. It's a mix of Lovecraftian horror and "the old mad occult scientist" seeking immortality tropes mashed up with a Batman detective story and Superman randomly punching stuff. It never rises above the tropes to truly horrific or interesting. And there are some nitpicky things that bothered me such as Batman slaying vampires! (which seems out of character for him as he is opposed to killing and vampires after all are former humans). But, if you accept this as the B-movie script it is, it's fairly entertaining. It's basically Hammer Horror meets the DC Universe. Corny, fun, but not great.… (mer)

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: The Comic Book Compilation features text and art by Kevin VanHook with colors by Carol VanHook, and letters by Ken Bruzenak, adapting the screenplay by Jim Sharman and Richard O’Brien. Though Caliber Comics published this adaptation in 1991, the style resembles the mid-1970s comics from Gold Key as befits a work based on a film from 1975. The comic faithfully adapts the film with minor tweaks to some of the songs to trim a few of the repetitive refrains. The comic will appeal to the most ardent Rocky Horror fans, though it’s unlikely to interest general readers. Fans of the film will find the bonus features particularly interesting. They include an audience participation guide, a prop list, a profile of Richard O’Brien, and more.… (mer)