Nerds That Geek Comic Book Review: 'Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Blood-Suckers' #2

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​There was a time, where I simply could not wait to read a brand-new comic book. The possibility of missing out on something pertinent in either the DC or Marvel universe seemed like a nerdy crime and when I was younger, you’d find me at the Comic Book store on New Comic Book Day the first chance I had to get down there, because I had to know what was coming next in a particular story as soon as possible. But alas, as the years progressed, that excitement has unfortunately waned, and while I do my best to keep up with what’s happening in the comic world, I don’t quite rush out to grab the latest issues like I used to.
 
But oddly enough, my attitude on that is starting to change. Because Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Blood Suckers is a comic series that is starting to revitalize my love of comics and for the first time in a long time, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the brand-new release of the next chapter in this wild story that features a Bruce Campbell inspired Elvis Presley fighting monsters in the shadows and wouldn’t you know it? Issue #2 of this magnificent series arrived in stores this week and thanks to our very own Joel (whom I cannot thank enough for picking this up for me), I was able to get my hands on a physical copy of this comic and my goodness, what an incredible treat this turned out to be. 
 
Because it’s inherently clear that Writer Joshua Jabcuga wants to take us on a vastly different kind of horror themed journey, one that defies convention and that was inherently clear from the surprising tone and design of this issue. For this could have been an action-packed battle royale, with the King and his gang tearing through an army of monsters before enjoying a round of fried peanut butter and banana sammiches, but instead, we were treated to a powerful slow burning story. One that established the rules for the rest of the series and provided us with some fascinating backstory for the monsters in question and I appreciated the fact that this issue focused on all those important elements now rather than shoehorning them in later.
 
However, while the story is supremely important, we cannot talk about this issue without talking about the incredible art. Because Artist Tadd Galusha and Colorist Ryan Hill have outdone themselves in this one. The visuals here are quite literally a feast for the eyes since Galusha and Hill’s work not only leaps off the page with incredible colors, especially when we go on one wild, drug fueled trip through multiple dimensions, but it maintains a beautiful 1970’s horror aesthetic, making this comic feel like a true prequel to Bubba Ho-Tep and a genuine horror classic and the art is so incredible in this issue that I outright had to go through every single page twice. Once to read the story, and once to admire all of the art and give it the proper tribute it deserved.
 
Yet, while I enjoyed and savored every single page that I poured over in this issue, there was a sense of sadness that came with finishing this particular tale because, I’m absolutely and utterly hooked at this point, and I’m starving for more. I’m dying to know how the King’s supernatural tryst is going to save everyone from the forthcoming armada of evil that’s on its way to their doorstep and more importantly, I cannot wait to discover how the King and his friends are going to send the monsters that have come to our world back to where they belong. But alas, I will have to wait to see all of those things play out and I’m fine with that, because this series is worth the wait, but this time around, when a new issue hits the stands, you’ll find me back in line on New Comic Book Day, because this magnificent series, has me anxious and ready to hold a brand new issue in my hands to see what wild adventures await Elvis Presley in his fight against those gol’ darn cosmic blood suckers. Until next time. 

---