Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly (EW), it has been discovered that Skybound is publishing a five-issue comic book anthology based on the Creepshow franchise. Creepshow and the world of comics have long since gone hand in hand. The film that launched the whole franchise, directed by George A. Romero and written by Stephen King (who stars in one of the segments), was inspired by the gruesome EC horror comics of the 1950s. According to makeup artist Greg Nicotero, the comics also served as inspiration while he oversaw the TV show, which is about to air its fourth season on Shudder.
The new comic series marks the second time that Creepshow has gone full circle, after the original 1982 film was adapted as a comic book, with the artwork done by Bernie Wrighton of Heavy Metal fame. Creepshow 2, which was written by Romero and featured a cameo from King, was going to be adapted to comics, but issues with the rights ultimately canceled the project. However, artist Kelley Jones has released his work on “The Raft” segment adaptation. Creepshow 3, made without Romero or King, has not been adapted, and given the film’s overwhelmingly negative critical reception, most people would probably say that’s a good thing.
“We’re paying tribute to the horror comics of the ’50s and ’60s. These guys in the ’50s were really pushing the envelope by creating these comic books that were just a little more violent, a little sexier, a little scarier than people could handle at the time, and they became controversial. But it was those comics that inspired Stephen King, that inspired George Romero,” said Nicotero to EW in 2019.
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What We Know So Far About Creepshow
The new comic will launch on September 21 with a different creative team from the worlds of comics, film, television, and beyond in charge of each issue. The creative roster involved includes Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series), Steve Langford (Creepshow TV series), Josh Malerman (Creepshow TV series, Bird Box), Chris Burnham (Die!Die!Die!), John McCrea (Hitman), David & Maria Lapham (Stray Bullets), and Steve Foxe (Razorblades: The Horror Magazine). And these are just some of the people involved, with more to be announced.
“Creepshow has consistently been one of the best things in horror for the last 40 years, and for Skybound to be able to carry on such a rich horror tradition is an absolute thrill,” said Jon Moisan, Editor at Skybound. “We knew a franchise this prolific would require the best talent in the industry, so we assembled a collection of creators that will do the Creepshow name proud. The stories they have planned are going to scare the absolute hell out of people.”'
“Growing up a fan of horror comics and Famous Monsters, I will never forget the thrill of seeing a new issue hit the stands … thumbing through the pages with the anticipation of diving into a dark, twisted and outrageous world filled with ghouls, zombies and the classic comeuppance. I’m very proud to see Creepshow find its rightful place on comic book shelves everywhere!” said Nicotero.
