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:
  • 1
    #1
    Oct 2004
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Dan Taylor, Jay Busbee, Benito Cereno, Steve Niles, Joshua Hale Fialkov  ·  A: Scott A. Keating, Jared Bivens, Nate Bellegarde, Nick Stakal
    B&W
    3 copies from $2.95
  • 2
    #2
    Jan 2005
    Cover: $3.50
    W: D.C. Hopkins, Phil Hester, Raven Gregory, Todd Livingston, Benito Cereno, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Porter McDonald  ·  A: Benjamin Hall, Nick Stakal, Cardinal, Eric J., Nate Bellegarde, Scott A. Keating
    B&W
    1 copy for $25.00
  • 3
    #3
    Mar 2005
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Greg Thompson, Jay Faerber, Dan Wickline, Nate Bellegarde, Derek Fridolfs, Joshua Hale Fialkov, Porter MacDonald  ·  A: Marco Magallanes, James Francis, Bobby Breed, Ryan Ottley, Derek Fridolfs, Scott A. Keating
    B&W
    1 copy for $4.50
  • 4
    #4
    Jun 2005
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Saul Colt, Stuart Moore, Jon Hook, Joshua Hale Fialkov  ·  A: Joseph Bergin III, Jason Copland, Jared Bivens, Mark Dos Santos
    B&W
    2 copies from $4.25
  • 5
    #5
    Aug 2005
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Tom Mandrake, Joseph Gauthier, Jason Rand, Jasen Rodriguez, Matty Field, Steve Niles, Joshua Hale Fialkov  ·  A: Tom Mandrake, R.H. Aidley, Juan Ferreyra, Marco Magallanes, Tony Moore, Mark Dos Santos
    B&W
    1 copy for $4.50