Western Tales of Terror

    (Hoarse and Buggy, 2004-2005)
™ and © Hoarse and Buggy Productions

For an anthology, this is a surprisingly consistent collection of exactly what the title promises: a series of stories blending the horror and Western genres. The six stories by mostly unknown creators range from very good to excellent; readers will cringe in horror, but it will be for all the right reasons.

Joshua Hale Fialkov and Scott Keating’s “Quicksand,” a twisted tale with its own twist, and Jay Busbee and Jared Bivens’ “The Deserter,” the story of a deserter who’s also a philanderer, are this issue’s standouts; the latter, though, is spoiled somewhat from graytones that are simply too dark. Fialkov and Porter McDonald’s “Phineas’ Gold” is horrific but runs a little long and is even slated to be continued in future issues. And horror master Steve Niles contributes a piece, doing his usual undead thang.

This will do well by both Western and horror fans; those who found interest in Joe Lansdale and Tim Truman’s horror-rich Jonah Hex revival for Vertigo will find similar interest here.

— Jim Johnson
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

October, 2004
Cover Price: $3.50
3 copies available from $2.95 		Dan Taylor, Jay Busbee, Benito Cereno, Steve Niles, Joshua Hale FialkovScott A. Keating, Jared Bivens, Nate Bellegarde, Nick Stakal
#2

January, 2005
Cover Price: $3.50
1 copy available for $25.00 		D.C. Hopkins, Phil Hester, Raven Gregory, Todd Livingston, Benito Cereno, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Porter McDonaldBenjamin Hall, Nick Stakal, Cardinal, Eric J., Nate Bellegarde, Scott A. Keating
#3

March, 2005
Cover Price: $3.50
1 copy available for $4.50 		Greg Thompson, Jay Faerber, Dan Wickline, Nate Bellegarde, Derek Fridolfs, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Porter MacDonaldMarco Magallanes, James Francis, Bobby Breed, Ryan Ottley, Derek Fridolfs, Scott A. Keating
#4

June, 2005
Cover Price: $3.50
2 copies available from $3.83 		Saul Colt, Stuart Moore, Jon Hook, Joshua Hale FialkovJoseph Bergin III, Jason Copland, Jared Bivens, Mark Dos Santos
#5

August, 2005
Cover Price: $3.50
1 copy available for $4.50 		Tom Mandrake, Joseph Gauthier, Jason Rand, Jasen Rodriguez, Matty Field, Steve Niles, Joshua Hale FialkovTom Mandrake, R.H. Aidley, Juan Ferreyra, Marco Magallanes, Tony Moore, Mark Dos Santos