Dark Horse Comics; $4.99

Based on the first issue of the new series, Creepy should definitely be clawing its way back onto the reading lists of horror fans. Why? Because it’s got the flavor of the original, but it’s no nostalgia act.

Writer Joe Harris and artist Jason Shawn Alexander (Dead Irons) kick off the issue (after a frontispiece by Bernie Wrightson) with the first of three parts of a thoroughly modern tale. They’re followed by original Creepy artist Angelo Torres and writer Dan Braun on “Hell Hound Blues,” a piece that definitely harkens back to Creepy of old and will appeal to obsessed collectors (or those that know them).

Michael Woods and artist Saskia Gutekunst follow with “Chemical 13,” another great modern piece that fits the spirit of the original but which might not have been done back when.

There’s one other new story, a reprint illustrated by the great Alex Toth, and the only ad is on the back cover. Editor (and longtime Creepy fan) Shawna Gore told us the best is yet to come, and it seems like a safe bet that she’s right.

And congratulations to the entire Creepy team for the Eisner Award win for their Creepy Archives project. We definitely recommend it!