Tag: Joshua Gage

Review: The Demon of Beausoleil by Mari Costa

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: The Demon of Beausoleil by Mari Costa

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of The Demon of BeausoleilThe Demon of Beausoleil by Mari Costa
Oni Press (January 27, 2026)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Mariana Costa was born in Brazil (allegedly) fully formed from a hole in the ground. She is a deeply unserious creature who eats stories and then spits out new ones to repopulate the ecosystem. Whether these new stories are better or worse is for you to decide by eating them yourself. She is best known for Peritale, Paranorthern, Belle of the Ball, and Life of Melody. Her newest graphic novel is The Demon of Beausoleil, which an exciting queer romance set against a background of historical horror.Continue Reading

Review: Plague House by Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisholm

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Plague House by Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisholm

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of The Plague HousePlague House by Michael W. Conrad and Dave Chisholm
Oni Press (January 20, 2026)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Michael W. Conrad is a writer currently living in Portland, Oregon. Michael has worked on a number of books at DC Comics, including Wonder Woman, Batgirls, Nightwing, and more. Elsewhere, Michael has written stories for iconic characters including Godzilla, Dracula, and Boris Karloff. Michael’s creator-owned work such as Tremor Dose, Double Walker, and Neptune have revealed a level of oddity that has captivated audiences looking for experiences unlike anything else on the shelves today.

Dave Chisholm is a graphic novelist and musician currently living in Rochester, New York, where he received his doctorate in jazz trumpet from the Eastman School of Music in 2013. His expertise in music, as well as his formal inventiveness within the comics medium, has resulted in a string of critically acclaimed music-centric comics and graphic novels, including Spectrum (Mad Cave Studios), Miles Davis & the Search for the Sound, Enter the Blue, Chasin’ the Bird: Charlie Parker in California, and the groundbreaking graphic novel + original soundtrack Instrumental (Z2 Comics). Chisholm also has a passion for education and teaches comics and music at the Hochstein School and the Rochester Institute of Technology. In his free time, Dave enjoys spending time with his family and his cats. Their newest collaboration is Plague House.Continue Reading

Review: When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee by Gus Moreno and Jakub Rebelka

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee by Gus Moreno and Jakub Rebelka

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of When I Lay My Vengeance Upon TheeWhen I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee by Gus Moreno and Jakub Rebelka
BOOM! Studios (January 2026)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Gus Moreno is the author of This Thing Between Us. His stories have appeared in Aurealis, PseudoPod, Bluestem Magazine, LitroNy, the Burnt Tongues anthology, and a bunch of other places that are totally not defunct. Some of his favorite books are American Psycho, Battle Royale, and Under the Skin. Some of his favorite writers are Margaret Atwood, Lucia Berlin, and Amy Hempel. He likes denim jackets, professional wrestling, neighborhood pizza, and anything by The xx. He lives in the suburbs with his wife and dogs, but never think that he’s not from Chicago. His newest graphic novel is When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee, illustrated by Jakub Rebelka.Continue Reading

Review: Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1) by Victoria Setian and Savanna Ganucheau

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1) by Victoria Setian and Savanna Ganucheau

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1)Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1) by Victoria Setian
Abrams Fanfare (January 2026)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Victoria Setian started her career in Gotham City, specifically the third floor of DC Comics in the heart of New York City. Her writing chops eventually landed her a role on the DC interactive team, and since then she’s continued her crossover work with credits including the Batman: Arkham series, Mortal Kombat X, and Just Cause 4. She’s a game developer conference speaker and NYU Game Center Incubator advisor, and she helped pilot the Girl Scouts Game Design patch with Women in Games International. When she’s not tinkering on her next project, she’s hanging with her family or practicing Armenian folk dance.

Savanna Ganucheau is a comic artist from New Orleans. She coauthored her first graphic novel, Bloom, with Kevin Panetta in 2019. Bloom received a distinction from the Junior Library Guild, a GLAAD Award nomination, and Amazon’s pick for Best Graphic Novel of 2019. In 2021, she adapted the novel Turtle in Paradise into the graphic novel format. Ganucheau has been creating comics since she was in third grade, and self-published her work in local comic book shops throughout high school. Her newest YA graphic novel is Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1).Continue Reading

Review: Doctor Zomba’s Ghostly Tales by David Lucarelli

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Doctor Zomba’s Ghostly Tales by David Lucarelli

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of Doctor Zomba's Ghastly TalesDoctor Zomba’s Ghostly Tales by David Lucarelli
Abacab Studios (November 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

David Lucarelli is a writer, musician, sound engineer and dad. He is the creator of Tinseltown The Children’s Vampire Hunting Brigade graphic novels. He is the writer/producer of Doctor Zomba’s Ghost Show of Terror, the award winning campy horror comedy revival of a 1950’s style spook show, and the writer/director of Crude, the award winning completely unauthorized play about a band that rose up from the streets of Hollywood to become a cultural phenomenon. He has had stories published by Omnium Gatherum and DNA Publications. The Winter Horror Days anthology which he also edited debuted as the number one horror anthology on Amazon. He was featured in the Monsters and Other Scary Sht, and Cthulhu is Hard to Spell: The Terrible Twos anthologies. His newest comic endeavor is Doctor Zomba’s Ghostly Tales, which is a modern horror anthology comic in the style of E.C. Comics.Continue Reading

Review: Ghost Confessions by John Shirley

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories ReviewsTags , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Ghost Confessions by John Shirley

cover of Ghost ConfessionsGhost Confessions by John Shirley
Jackanapes Press (November 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

John Shirley has written novels, short stories, TV scripts, screenplays, song lyrics, poetry, and various forms of nonfiction. His books number more than eighty, including numerous novels of sf, dark fantasy, horror, thrillers, and westerns, and twelve short story collections. He has won the Bram Stoker Award for his collection: Black Butterflies: A Flock on the Dark Side, and the Spur Award for his Western Gunmetal Mountain. He has also written one non-fiction book, Gurdjieff: An Introduction to His Life and Ideas. As a musician, Shirley has fronted his own bands and written lyrics for Blue Öyster Cult and others. His newest collection of poetry and song lyrics is Ghost Confessions.Continue Reading

Review: The Girl, The Priest, and The Devil by Theo Prasidis

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , Leave a comment on Review: The Girl, The Priest, and The Devil by Theo Prasidis

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of The Girl, the Priest, and the DevilThe Girl, The Priest, and The Devil by Theo Prasidis
Dead Sky Publishing (December 16, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Theo Prasidis is a Greek writer and graphic novelist, published by Image Comics, TKO Studios, Scout Comics, and Dead Sky Publishing. He writes quixotic fantasies about hidden folklore, bizarre rituals and wistful dreams. His newest folk horror graphic novel is The Girl, The Priest, and The Devil.Continue Reading

Review: I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer by Doug Wagner, illustrated by Daniel Hillyard

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer by Doug Wagner, illustrated by Daniel Hillyard

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of I Was a Fashion School Serial KillerI Was a Fashion School Serial Killer by Doug Wagner, illustrated by Daniel Hillyard
Image Comics (December 16, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Doug Wagner is an American comic book writer whose Image Comics include Plastic (co-created with Daniel Hillyard), The Hard Place (with Nic Rummel), Gun Candy (with Brian Stelfreeze), and The Ride (with too many to list). He’s also written titles such as I.C.E., World of Warcraft: Bloodsworn, Legends of the Dark Knight, and Witchblade/Red Sonja. Doug can be found hiding out in Park City, Utah where he spends his days creating madness, frolicking down the slopes with his lovely wife, and reveling cuddle time with the sweetest kitty in the world. His newest graphic novel is I Was a Fashion School Serial Killer.Continue Reading

Review: Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of Ghost Boys: The Graphic NovelGhost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes, illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey
Little, Brown Ink (December 2, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for youth, including Ghost Boys; Black Brother, Black Brother; Paradise on Fire; and Treasure Island: Runaway Gold. She is the recipient of many distinguished awards and honors, including the Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Green Earth Book Award, an NAACP Image Award nomination, the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, and the Octavia E. Butler Award. Rhodes is the Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing and Virginia G. Piper Endowed Chair at Arizona State University. Her novel, Ghost Boys, is now a graphic novel.Continue Reading

Review: Consensual Violence by Del James, Illustrated by Giulia Brusco Arjuna Susini

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Consensual Violence by Del James, Illustrated by Giulia Brusco Arjuna Susini

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of Consensual ViolenceConsensual Violence by Del James, illustrated by Giulia Brusco Arjuna Susini
Dead Sky Publishing (November 25, 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Del James is a meat-eating, pro-choice, sober atheist. He writes horror fiction, screenplays, and music. As a lyricist, James has cowritten songs with groups such as Testament, The Almighty, The Outpatience, and Guns N’ Roses, including two songs on GNR’s Grammy-nominated Use Your Illusion album. James has directed several music videos and written live television for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His newest graphic novel, Consensual Violence, explores the dark underbelly of Lucha Libre wrestling.Continue Reading

Review: Take Up Your Skin and Others by Jennifer Crow

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories ReviewsTags , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Take Up Your Skin and Others by Jennifer Crow

Take Up Your Skin and Others by Jennifer Crow
Self-Published (November 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Jennifer Crow is grateful for friends whose words, artwork, and photography inspire both poetry and hope. Her work has appeared in a number of print and electronic venues over the years, most recently in Not One of Us, The Wondrous Real, and Abyss & Apex. Her newest chapbook, Take Up Your Skin is available directly from her or free to subscribers of her Patreon page.Continue Reading

Review: MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live by MrBallen and Andrea Mutti

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories Reviews, The Comic VaultTags , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live by MrBallen and Andrea Mutti

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of MrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares LiveMrBallen Presents: Where Nightmares Live by MrBallen and Andrea Mutti
Ten Speed Graphics (September 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Better known as “MrBallen,” John B. Allen is a former U. S. Navy Seal, the founder of the multi-platform content company Ballen Studios, and the creator and host of the popular podcast MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories. Allen uses his platform to give back and founded the MrBallen Foundation with the mission to honor victims and support families of heinous crimes through education, training, and financial support.

Andrea Mutti began his career illustrating DNAction for Xenia Edizioni, Sergio Bonelli Editore, and Star Comics. He’s worked with Marvel, DC, Vertigo, MadCave, Stormking, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, BOOM! Studios, and more. His titles include Maniac of New York, Bunny Mask, Rebels, Batman Eternal, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. He’s a member of the National UFO Center and resides in Sarasota, Florida. Continue Reading

Review: Nightmuse: Poems of Speculative Darkness by Scott J. Couturier

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories ReviewsTags , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Nightmuse: Poems of Speculative Darkness by Scott J. Couturier

cover of NightmuseNightmuse: Poems of Speculative Darkness by Scott J. Couturier
Jackanapes Press (November 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Scott J. Couturier is a Rhysling-nominated poet and prose writer of the weird, liminal, and darkly fantastic. His work has appeared in numerous venues, including The Audient Void, Spectral Realms, Tales from the Magician’s Skull, Space and Time Magazine, Cosmic Horror Monthly, and Weirdbook; his collection of Weird fiction, The Box, is available from Hybrid Sequence Media, while his collection of autumnal & folk horror verse, I Awaken In October, is available from Jackanapes Press. His newest collection of speculative horror poetry, Nightmuse, is available on Jackanapes Press. Continue Reading

Review: The Graveyard Club by R. L. Stine and Carola Borelli

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories ReviewsTags , , , , , Leave a comment on Review: The Graveyard Club by R. L. Stine and Carola Borelli

banner that reads The Comic Vault

cover of The Graveyard ClubThe Graveyard Club by R. L. Stine and Carola Borelli
Boom! Studios (October 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

R.L. Stine, of Columbus, Ohio, is one of the best-selling children’s authors in history. His Goosebumps and Fear Street series have sold more than 400 million copies around the world and have been translated into 32 languages. He has had several TV series based on his work, and two feature films, The Goosebumps Movie (2015) and Goosebumps 2: Hunted Halloween (2018), starred Jack Black as R.L. Stine himself. Just Beyond is his first-ever series of graphic novels. Bob lives in New York City with his wife Jane, an editor and publisher. The Graveyard Club is his newest graphic novel.Continue Reading

Review: Told by Firelight in Timbered Halls by Adam Bolivar

Author Cemetery Dance OnlinePosted on Categories ReviewsTags , , , , Leave a comment on Review: Told by Firelight in Timbered Halls by Adam Bolivar

cover of Told by Firelight and Timbered HallsTold by Firelight in Timbered Halls by Adam Bolivar
Jackanapes Press (September 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage

Adam Bolivar is the author of The Lay of Old Hex (Hippocampus Press, 2017), The Ettinfell of Beacon Hill (Jackanapes Press, 2021), Ballads for the Witching Hour (Hippocampus Press 2022), and A Wheel of Ravens (Jackanapes Press, 2023). A marionette-maker as well, he has written a multitude of original puppet-plays which have been performed in a wide variety of peculiar venues. A native of gambrel-roofed Boston, Massachusetts, he currently resides in the gloomy dreamlands of Portland, Oregon with his golden-haired wife and son. His newest collection is Told by Firelight in Timbered Halls. Continue Reading