Collected Tales of Horrere
This is the most delayed review in the history of many things, for which I apologise. I backed the kickstarter for the Collected Tales of Horrere back at the end of 2018, and it’s been sitting, taunting me for months. Quietly calling out to me, “read me, read me” but you know how life likes to get in the way. Well, I FINALLY have some time, and so I sat down to address the huge stack of comics that was waiting, and Horrere was up first.
Collecting together 3 volumes of the Tragic Tales of Horrere plus the Laudanum 1-shot comic, Collected Tales of Horrere has a similar vibe to Madius Comics collected Paperbacks and Inkstains. Where that collection was assembled and then newly coloured before release, Horrere remains in austere black and white. It’s far better suited, after all, to the nature of the stories within. If you like your horror mixed with a little humour and the occasional gross-out then Collected Tales of Horrere is definitely for you.
My stand out stories in the anthology were:
Aufhocker and The Quiescent
Centring on a professor researching the occult these two short tales have the trademark Madius comedy twist stamped on them. Unusual cryptids and Lovecraftian horrors abound in this pair. The first time I read Aufhocker (McLaughlan, Jones and Sambrook) I actually yelped with laughter. With a different artist on board for The Quiescent (Sambrook, Jones, Becci) it wasn’t immediately obvious that the two were linked. Once the connection became clear I really had a good chuckle to myself though. And I love the different atmosphere created by the use of the two different artists.
If You Go Down To The Woods Today
Ford/Jones/Sambrook
Is a dark and twisted number indeed. The title obviously brings to mind the Teddy Bear’s picnic, and once you start reading you will see why. I definitely did not see the twist coming though, which made it even better, and that final splash page from artist Neil Ford is sublime! Also loved the use of the hunting licence tag for the title and creator details, really great touch!
You Are What You Eat
Jones/Sambrooke/Sleightholme
This one definitely leans towards the gross-out end of the scale. I knew what was coming, I could feel it building. Still didn’t stop my stomach threatening to rebel at the reveal though. I’ve eaten far too much Spam over the years for that one to sit comfortably if you know what I mean. The two pages are absolutely stonking. I spent AGES poring over all the details in the penultimate page, there’s so much going on.
Tupper
Roldan/Simone
This. Is. DARK. And I love it. Take one fairly standard post-apocalyptic survival story, group of survivors roaming the landscape, existing on what scraps they can find. Then twist it. HARD. It’s a genius move, and one that will stay with me as and when the apocalypse comes to pass!
Do You Want To See
Sambrook/Jones/Renee
This was my standout fave in the third Tragic Tales of Horrere – Halloween Special and remains so in the collected anthology. I just have so much love for this story and the way it unfolds over two timelines, spiralling down together until the climax. It’s been about a year and a half since I first read this particular tale, and I still want to know, or should I say SEE, more from this little world!
Collected Tales of Horrere is in stock at the Madius Comics store so grab yours now!
