The major comic companies put out enough comics that sometimes it can leave your head spinning and eyes bleeding as you search the new titles each week for something worth reading. To aid in your Geeky endeavors, Speak Geeky To Me on occasion reviews new titles from the major companies to spotlight the best and worst of what’s available at your local comic shop. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a new Comic Review.

 

The Info Bit

Title: Billy the Kid’s Olde Timey Oddities and the Orm of Loch Ness #1

Genre/s: Horror/Supernatural

Writers: Eric Powell (Goon, Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters) with Tracy Marsh (Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters)

Artist: Kyle Hotz (Buzzard, Heroes For Hire)

Colorist: Dan Brown (Ghost Rider, Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega)

Letterer: Nate Piekos of Blambot (Dark Horse Presents, The Creep)

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Number of Issues: 1 (of 4)

Page Count: 22

Price: Three hundred and fifty pennies ($3.50)

 

The Review Bit

            This is the 3rd volume for Billy the Kid’s Olde Timey Oddities. Still in London after the events of Billy the Kid’s Olde Timey Oddities and the Ghastly Fiend of London, Billy and the “freaks” are on their way to Scotland to investigate Loch-Ness and its monster. On their travels they are entertained by the story about Saint Columba and the legend of the Loch-Ness. How the Irish monk fought the evil monster, losing an arm in the battle, and stood watch over the loch, ever vigilant. Supposedly, after the monk’s death, his followers made five daggers from the bones of his remaining hand, a sword made out of his femur, and used his skull as a lantern as well. This was all done assuming that the power that remained in his bones would help them to watch over and protect the loch. The monster isn’t the only reason they are headed to Loch-Ness, however, as it seems one of the “freaks” has been kidnapped and his kidnapper needs to get him to the loch to appease his master.

When Billy and the “freaks” reach the loch, they are attacked by the locals, convinced that the “freaks” are abominations from the loch, and have decided to consult The Lantern to decide the fate of Billy and his crew. Meanwhile, Callahan and his captor have reached the loch. Callahan is pulled into the loch as the kidnapper dives in and swims down deep into an unknown underground cavern. This is the home of the master, whom Callahan is seemingly a gift for. The master is none other than Dracula himself.

I was excited to get to do this review because, while I will sadly admit to having not read a lot of Eric Powell’s work, I am indeed impressed with what I have. Surprisingly, having a historical fascination with the real Billy the Kid, this was the first of Powell’s Billy the Kid stories I’ve ever read. Admittedly, it made it interesting to try and review, having no cursory knowledge. However, I like the fact that except for a couple characters early on, I really didn’t feel like I needed to know everything to enjoy it, a testament to the talent that is Eric Powell. A skilled storyteller,  I found myself pulled into the story he was telling quickly and easily, and aid from the magnificent art of Kyle Hotz made it incredibly easy to do so. Combined I really feel these 2 gentleman are a storytelling powerhouse; think Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale but with supernatural horror instead of superheroes. The pages that detail the story of Saint Columba are absolutely beautiful. Dan Brown’s colors REALLY shine through during this part of the story


The Rating Bit

I have to say, as a comic collector who runs a shop, I almost had added this to my list. But, having not read the previous volumes, I decided against it and moved on. I am really glad that after that I was given the opportunity to read and review this book, and am now very much looking forward to the others, as well as going back to read the previous volumes. I give Billy the Kid’s Olde Timey Oddities and the Orm of Loch Ness #1 a solid 9 out of 10.