Komikwerks Presents: Thrills & Chills

    (Komikwerks, 2005)
™ and © Komikwerks, L.L.C.

This isn’t quite the usual multi-genre small-press anthology; as opposed to the typical cast of unknown creators, this one actually includes pretty big names, such as Dwayne McDuffie, Keith Giffen, and Tom Mandrake. Big names or not, though, there’s not much differentiating this book from any other of its kind.

It has its share of hits, like Benton Jew’s Asian fable “The Silent Swordsman” and the Rod Serling-inspired “Dark Art” by Aaron Sowd, James Denning, Lance Karutz, and Jared Bivens. It has its share of misses, like the not-so-funny “The Road to Hell” by McDuffie, Matt Wayne, and Rick Parker. What it doesn’t have is the kind of exceptional story one might expect from the likes of Giffen and others.

This book is a little too eclectic for its own good; the joining of well-known with unknown creators and its lack of a central theme make for a appealing but puzzling collection whose target audience is indefinable. Most anyone should be able to find at least one or two stories that suit their tastes; the question is whether it’s worth sifting through those that don’t.

— Jim Johnson
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