Another book review for the Spooky Season!
Corpse Cold is an anthology inspired by urban legends and
folklore. These are stories your friends might tell around a campfire or on a
late-night drive with only the headlamps and the green glow of the dashboard
cutting through the darkness for miles around. These are stories that could
maybe, possibly be true. Or, at least, they have that weird familiarity that
makes them feel true.
Chad Wehrle’s nightmarish illustrations take clear
inspiration from Steven Gammel’s work for the classic “Scary Stories to Tell in
the Dark” series, though Wehrle’s own style clearly shines through.
The stories are often grisly- as folk tales usually are. Some, such as “A Morning Fog” and “Jesup” are cautionary tales. Others like “Moss Lake Island” and “It That Decays” are dark twists of fate. Several are based on modern fears like the dark web and “simulated burial” rides at amusement parks. Other tales, such as “The Black Dog” and “Czarny Lud” showcase timeless monsters that have existed for generations.
While not every story is memorable, there are no real bad
pieces. Although “The Blue Hole” is a bit disjointed and isn’t helped by the
accompanying illustration of a cartoonish soft-serve-style pile of fecal
matter.
One of the cooler things about the book is the extensive
appendix of notes at the end which explain the inspirations and background
details for each story- another nod to Alvin Schwartz’s seminal “Scary Stories”
books.
Fans of creepy urban legends, and those who grew up with the
original “Scary Stories” books, will love Corpse Cold. You can get a copy of this book and others by these Brhel and Sullivan at Cemetery Gates Media
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