Amy

April 20, 2016

Lists

The Cocoa Jumping Spider

Season 3, Episode 14 There have been quite a few stories about creepy crawlies on NoSleep, but none can match the storytelling panache of this tale. We watch an invasion unfold with a wry old veteran & his dog. This one has humor (and the kind of pathos that you only have when a pet is involved), but that doesn't stop it from being utterly horrifying. Bonus points for letting narrator Peter Lewis show off some diversity by playing a non-psychopath for a change.

The Disappearance of Ashley, Kansas

Season 2, Episode 5 A tale told by assembling 911 calls from the inhabitants of a small town. They find themselves unable to leave Ashley, Kansas, & the deputies dispatched to check it out can't seem to find the town where it had always been. Though it originally appeared on Reddit's NoSleep forum (as do the majority of the podcast's stories), this story is best presented as an audio drama. It's a nice example of how to make the most of your medium.

Eater

Season 4, Episode 22 There are ghost stories galore in the six-and-counting seasons of NoSleep, but this particular ghost story takes the familiar territory of shadows in the corner & sleepover seances and adds its own weird twist. The ending left me imagining possible scenarios for the character's future, which is a clear sign of a good short story.

The Good Thomas Shea

Season 6, Episode 13 If you'd told me this time last year that a NoSleep story could get me choked up, I would've laughed in your face. Then I listened to last season's excellent Christmas episode, & by the end, well...I wasn't laughing. "Thomas Shea" starts off as a normal, suspenseful creep-fest, until the twist that hits you like a punch in the stomach. Narrator Jessica McEvoy gives a particularly fearless & affecting performance, one of her best.

Mummer Man

Season 5, Episode 4 This story of a book club who inadvertently summons an evil imp to their biweekly meeting is like listening to someone narrate their own nightmare. Hallucinatory & gory af, with lyrical prose that sounds like a fairytale from hell.

Tug

Season 4, Episode 18 In what may well be the strangest story NoSleep has ever released, "Tug" introduces us to a man who has grown up with an extra set of appendages that seem to exist in another dimension. These "garlands," as he calls them, are just a private oddity for the man, until an unseen force becomes aware of them as well.

Soft White Damn

Season 5, Episode 18 This story, produced and narrated by Jeff Clement, boasts a seriously creepy monster. I found myself thinking of its disturbing voice hours later. If you like it, be sure to check out Jeff Clement's YouTube page & his other project, Chilling Tales for Dark Nights.

Penpal (pts. I & II)

Part I

Part II

I'm cheating a bit, since this is really a series of connected stories. But I'm the head honcho around here, so I'll do what I like. The real terror in the "Penpal" series is born out of the innocence of its main character, who recounts confusing events from his childhood that only make sense to him as an adult. Parents, you will never let your children out of your sight again after this one.

The Oddkids

Season 5, Episode 12 Hopefully you're getting the idea of just how unique NoSleep's stories can be. In case you're not, let me present "The Oddkids." The titular characters live in the forest on the other side of a creek, & if you cross into their territory, you're pretty much screwed. Good luck finding a movie with monsters this horrifying.

I hope you're intrigued enough to check out NoSleep for yourself. And if you already have, let me know which stories are your favorites! I have plenty more that came close to making the list. -AP

Kat

April 18, 2016

Lists

5 Current Horror Comics to Read if You're New to Horror Comics

Kat

April 18, 2016

Lists

Mixing the best parts of both film and written horror, graphic novels are able to bring new twists and stories to the genre. Since the renaissance in the 40s and 50s, horror comics and graphic novels continue to build on their predecessors. In this day and age, new life has been breathed into the horror comics genre and a large part of my subscription list at my local comic book store is horror titles.

If you have never read a horror comic or if you’ve never read a comic, but love horror and want to explore the genre in a new form instead of watching The Thing for the thousandth time, here's a list of some of the best ongoing horror series on your local comic book store’s shelves. Most of these have a manageable amount of issues out so you can catch up on the action quick. Let us know what your favorite horror comics are in the comments.

1. Wytches

Writer: Scott Snyder | Artist: Jock | Publication Date: Oct. 2014

Wytches lets you know exactly what you are in for the minute you start this series. It begins with a woman stuck in a tree, mouth up against a knot, asking for help. Her nose has been cut off. You are not told why she is in this situation or what brought her to it. The woman’s son approaches the tree. She begs him to help her but all the boy says is, “pledged is pledged,” before bashing her head in with a rock. Not only does Wytches push you into the action in the first issue, writer Scott Snyder wastes no time delving into horrors that aren’t monster-related: from bullying, alcoholism, to moving to a new town. It focuses half of the story on the scary things we face every day and monsters we cannot see, with the other half dedicated to the real danger of the witches, which are brought to a terrifying reality with Jock’s amazing artwork and Matt Hollingsworth’s outstanding coloring.

2. Afterlife with Archie

Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Artist: Francesco Francavilla | Publication Date: Oct. 2013

No list would be complete without Afterlife with Archie. When everyone’s favorite teenage witch, Sabrina Spellman brings Jughead’s dog, Hot Dog, back from the dead, it causes an unprecedented change in Hot Dog’s demeanor. Now a zombie, Hot Dog infects Jughead with the curse and, if you’ve seen any kind of zombie media ever, it all snowballs from there. This comic took off, selling out every issue that’s been released. For good reason, too. Mixing the art style of horror comics from the 50s with a modern twist to some classic Archie characters, Afterlife brilliantly showcases what you can do with the horror genre and manages to remain fresh in a bloated zombie market.

3. Clean Room

Writer: Gail Simone | Artist: Jon Davis-Hunt | Publication Date: Oct. 2015

Clean Room is an interesting combination of things that might not work if done by a less experienced writer. But in the hands of Gail Simone, the book shines and delivers a truly creepy story about Chloe Pierce, a reporter for a small town newspaper, who is investigating a cult-like self-help organization and the part they played in her fiancé’s suicide. A tour-de-force writer, Simone weaves a tale that is one part creepy cult story and one part ghost story and is held up by memorable characters, as well as some truly disgusting panels (and I mean that in a good way) drawn by Jon Davis-Hunt.

4. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa | Artist: Robert Hack | Publication Date: Oct. 2014

The creepiest take yet on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows Sabrina Spellman as she faces the decision to either stay a witch or become a mortal forever. Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa reinvigorated these characters we’ve known for decades, giving them a creepier spin than their original portrayals, while also being truthful to the fears of growing up, being a teenager, and struggling to find your way. His writing and dialogue flow effortlessly and the stunning and downright creepy art by Robert Hack harkens back to horror comics from the 40s and 50s.

5. The Vision

Writer: Tom King | Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta | Publication Date: Nov. 2015

The Vision is a detour from the first four series mentioned. Published by Marvel Comics, The Vision tells the story of the Avenger, Vision, and the almost Sims-esque family he created for himself as they go about their daily lives, trying to be human. It doesn’t sound very interesting from a broader view, but the execution is outstanding and very, very creepy. Most of the creep factor comes from the narrator, whose impartial view of what is happening on the pages is simply unnerving. It describes events in the most uninterested way, like when it mentioned how one of the Visions would burn down their neighbor’s house, killing the couple inside. With stellar writing by Tom King and a stark art style from Gabriel Hernandez Walta, The Vision delivers an interesting story about what it means to be human, while also giving the reader the shivers.

~ Kat

One of The Bloodlust's new contributors, Kat's introduction to horror began like most people's: trips to Blockbuster with friends, grabbing whatever has the scariest cover. Since then, it's Halloween every day in Kat's world! Scary books, comics, video games, and yes, horror movies are a regular feature. When not using pillows as a horror sheild, Kat is a freelance writer who lives with her fiance and two cats.

Sandra

April 15, 2016

Lists

5 Underrated Horror Heroines

Sandra

April 15, 2016

Lists

Hello! As a big supporter of awesome female characters in horror, I took it upon myself to compile my list of underrated carriers of the XX chromosome.

5. Elise Rainier (Insidious)

What a badass! Using her intense psychic powers, Elise helps families in need by dealing with the spectral creepy-crawly entities reaching out from “the further.” She also happens to look like a boss whilst doing so. Elise barely breaks a sweat and rarely loses her cool. This is obviously the gal you want in your corner when tormented souls or spooky red and black colored demons are bothering you.

4. Samantha (House of the Devil)

You can’t help but feel a little bit bad for poor Sam. Sure, it seems weird to accept a gig “watching” an elderly woman when you were set up to think you’ll be babysitting small children. But then there was the allure of free pizza and that rental deposit deadline looming. I can relate, Sam! Anyway, once she gets into trouble on this fateful night, Sam isn’t going down easy. She proves to be a fighter and a survivor. Not to mention a killer dancer.

3. Lorraine Warren (The Conjuring)

Here we have another psychic helper, just like Elise. But you know what makes Lorraine even cooler? She’s a real life person who turned 89 this year! Lorraine bravely squares off against evil in order to aid and defend the innocent. Bravo, sister!

2. Melanie Daniels (The Birds)

Played by the exquisite Tippi Hedren, Melanie is a dry-humored, practical joker trying to prove to the world she’s not some playgirl spoiled brat. Then she happens to get caught up in a bird-pocalypse along the way. She witnesses some crazy stuff and holds it together for a pretty long time. And lest we forget, she saves the school children from a particularly nasty feathered flock. Lesser women would have crumbled to pieces much sooner under the pressure.

Oh, wait! Before we get to #1, let me give credit to some honorable mentions…Thanks, ladies, for almost making the cut.

Liz Taylor! I didn’t want to venture in TV land for this list, but I cannot get the amazing Liz Taylor from American Horror Story: Hotel out of my mind! She’s a smart, loving, wise-cracking broad who is tough as nails. No matter what life and that crazy-ass hotel threw at her, Liz stayed golden.

Next, sisters Callie and Tricia from Absentia. I had a hard time choosing which of these brave and flawed ladies I admired more. Then I realized they’re just even better as a packaged deal. I liked how realistic these characters felt to me, as individuals and as siblings.

And here is the darling Emily from Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. Emily is a whacky, fun, beautiful, and ultimately selfless romantic heroine. Animated or not, she’s a treasure to the horror realm.

And now, I give you my #1 pick! Drum roll please…

1. Dani (Hocus Pocus)

Last but not least! This little moppet is the quintessential 90’s cool kid. She’s a tough little cookie with a heart of gold. Plus, she loves Halloween like every true horror fan does. Awesome witch costume? Check. Comic relief? Yes. Brave? Yup. Wise cracks? You know it. Perhaps it goes without saying that she is SO much cooler than her lame brother Max and is the real hero of this Halloween story.

Sandra is a The Bloodlust contributor and has been a fan of scary books, movies, and spooky true tales since a young age. Her favorite types of horror are supernatural/paranormal, horror-scifi hybrids, classics from the 1960’s or earlier, and anything with a cult in it. Sandra is a married ghoul happily owned by a spoiled cat. When not immersing herself in the macabre, she’s usually running, crafting, playing with creepy dolls, and watching either Disney or sports.

~ Sandra (@LilMsMnstr)