Haunt (comics)
Encyclopedia
Haunt is a fictional comic book
superhero who appears in a self-titled ongoing series
published by Image Comics
. Created by Todd McFarlane
and Robert Kirkman
, the series debuted on October 7, 2009. The comic was originally written by Kirkman with pencils by Ryan Ottley
, layouts by Greg Capullo
, and inks by McFarlane. Joe Casey
and Nathan Fox took over as the book's creative team as of Haunt #19.
The book's eponymous main character is the merged form of Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore, and the ghost of his murdered secret agent brother, Kurt.
, Kirkman explained that the initial storyline in Haunt deals with Kurt trying to solve his own murder. In February 2009 at New York Comic-Con
, Kirkman provided an overview of the series:
Not recognizing Kirkman, McFarlane responded, "I always sort of felt if you could create your own Mickey Mouse
, it's a pretty good living. You don't need to do a Donald Duck
and a Goofy
and a Minnie Mouse
. Arguably, [I've done that] with Spawn
."
He added, "I do have some ideas, but I can only spread myself so thin." Fellow panelist Brian Haberlin
finally told McFarlane that the audience member was Kirkman. After exchanging jokes, McFarlane asked Kirkman if he would be interested in collaborating on a project, to which Kirkman agreed.
Kurt was named after Kurt Vonnegut
, while Daniel was named after Vonnegut's character, Kilgore Trout
.
In 2007, Kirkman and McFarlane announced that they were working together on a new comic property titled Haunt with a series to debut in early 2008.
In July 2008 Kirkman explained that the book had been delayed due to artist trouble.
This was prior to the announcement that Ottley and Capullo were joining the art team. It was also revealed that McFarlane would draw covers for the series.
In February 2009, Image provided a series of teaser images to Comic Book Resources
featuring the first artwork for Haunt.
The initial teaser indicated a summer 2009 launch, but no firm date was established until July, when Image announced the premiere issue would be released October 7, 2009. McFarlane has shouldered the blame for the delays,
saying, "I didn't want to be in a position where I put out a solicitation for the sake of putting out a solicitation. That's too easy."
He added, "I know it's been a little frustrating to Robert, but it's already been two years – what's two years and one month? We gotta do it. We gotta get it right." In July, a limited edition, 16-page preview book debuted at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.
Rich Johnston
reported that comic book retailers pre-order
ed nearly 60,000 copies of the first issue, which is more than a typical issue of The Amazing Spider-Man
.
said Kirkman "doesn't offer any of his usual magic with these characters. Daniel and Kurt have no real depth to them. The series is completely and utterly cheerless. It takes itself far too seriously to the point of becoming a silly melodrama."
Chad Nevett of Comic Book Resources
called the artwork "disappointing, if only because Ryan Ottley is a better artist than Haunt #1’s work displays." Nevett also criticized the book for reading "almost like a parody of itself with dark characters, [...] excessive violence, [...] and a character design obviously influenced by McFarlane’s work on Spider-Man
."
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
superhero who appears in a self-titled ongoing series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
published by Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
. Created by Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane is a Canadian cartoonist, writer, toy designer and entrepreneur, best known for his work in comic books, such as the fantasy series Spawn....
and Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead and Invincible for Image Comics, and Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt...
, the series debuted on October 7, 2009. The comic was originally written by Kirkman with pencils by Ryan Ottley
Ryan Ottley
Ryan Ottley, aka Uncle WYA, is an American comic book artist. He is best known for work on Image Comics' Invincible.-Career:Ottley is the artist and co-creator of the webcomic strip Ted Noodleman: Bicycle Delivery Boy, and it was through this webstrip that Robert Kirkman first encountered Ottley's...
, layouts by Greg Capullo
Greg Capullo
Gregory “Greg” Capullo is an American comic book artist and penciller, best known for his work on Quasar , X-Force , Angela and Spawn ....
, and inks by McFarlane. Joe Casey
Joe Casey
Joe Casey is an American comic book writer. He has worked on titles such as Wildcats 3.0, Uncanny X-Men, The Intimates, Adventures of Superman, and G.I. Joe: America's Elite, among others.-Biography:...
and Nathan Fox took over as the book's creative team as of Haunt #19.
The book's eponymous main character is the merged form of Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore, and the ghost of his murdered secret agent brother, Kurt.
Overview
In a 2008 interview with NewsaramaNewsarama
Newsarama is an American website that publishes news, interviews and essays about the American comic book industry.-History:Newsarama began in Summer 1995 as a series of Internet forum postings on the Prodigy comic-book message boards by fan Mike Doran. In these short messages. Doran shared...
, Kirkman explained that the initial storyline in Haunt deals with Kurt trying to solve his own murder. In February 2009 at New York Comic-Con
New York Comic-Con
The New York Comic Con is an annual New York City fan convention dedicated to comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television.-History:The first event was held in 2006 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center...
, Kirkman provided an overview of the series:
Background and creation
During a Q&A session at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con, McFarlane called on Kirkman, who was seated in the audience. Kirkman stood up and expressed that he was a fan, and wanted to know why McFarlane didn't work on comics anymore.Not recognizing Kirkman, McFarlane responded, "I always sort of felt if you could create your own Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, it's a pretty good living. You don't need to do a Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
and a Goofy
Goofy
Goofy is a cartoon character created in 1932 at Walt Disney Productions. Goofy is a tall, anthropomorphic dog, and typically wears a turtle neck and vest, with pants, shoes, white gloves, and a tall hat originally designed as a rumpled fedora. Goofy is a close friend of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck...
and a Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Minerva "Minnie" Mouse is an animated character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney. The comic strip story "The Gleam" by Merrill De Maris and Floyd Gottfredson first gave her full name as Minerva Mouse. Minnie has since been a recurring alias for her. Minnie is currently voiced by actress Russi...
. Arguably, [I've done that] with Spawn
Spawn (comics)
Spawn is a fictional comic book superhero who appears in a monthly comic book of the same name published by Image Comics. Created by writer/artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1...
."
He added, "I do have some ideas, but I can only spread myself so thin." Fellow panelist Brian Haberlin
Brian Haberlin
Brian Haberlin is an American comic book artist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the co-creator of the Witchblade franchise and for his manga-influenced digital art styles.-Career:...
finally told McFarlane that the audience member was Kirkman. After exchanging jokes, McFarlane asked Kirkman if he would be interested in collaborating on a project, to which Kirkman agreed.
Kurt was named after Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was a 20th century American writer. His works such as Cat's Cradle , Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions blend satire, gallows humor and science fiction. He was known for his humanist beliefs and was honorary president of the American Humanist Association.-Early...
, while Daniel was named after Vonnegut's character, Kilgore Trout
Kilgore Trout
Kilgore Trout is a fictional character created by author Kurt Vonnegut. He was originally created as a fictionalized version of author Theodore Sturgeon , although Trout's consistent presence in Vonnegut's works has also led critics to view him as the author's own alter ego...
.
In 2007, Kirkman and McFarlane announced that they were working together on a new comic property titled Haunt with a series to debut in early 2008.
In July 2008 Kirkman explained that the book had been delayed due to artist trouble.
This was prior to the announcement that Ottley and Capullo were joining the art team. It was also revealed that McFarlane would draw covers for the series.
In February 2009, Image provided a series of teaser images to Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
featuring the first artwork for Haunt.
The initial teaser indicated a summer 2009 launch, but no firm date was established until July, when Image announced the premiere issue would be released October 7, 2009. McFarlane has shouldered the blame for the delays,
saying, "I didn't want to be in a position where I put out a solicitation for the sake of putting out a solicitation. That's too easy."
He added, "I know it's been a little frustrating to Robert, but it's already been two years – what's two years and one month? We gotta do it. We gotta get it right." In July, a limited edition, 16-page preview book debuted at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.
Characters
- Daniel Kilgore - an associate priest, he later quits his Church to join The Agency.
- Kurt Kilgore - a deceased Agency agent and Daniel's estranged brother, the two become closer after his murder is solved and The Agency trains Daniel.
- Haunt - this being is created when Kurt's spirit merges with Daniel's body. They are merged through Kurt's spiritual tether to Daniel and generate ectoplasm.
- Director Beth Tosh - Kurt's former lover, now acting Director of the Agency.
- Mirage - an agent working for the Agency and another former lover of Kurt's, she watches over Daniel's progress.
- Assistant Director Theresa Rhodes - a sleeper agent in the Agency, she was instrumental in Kurt's murder.
- Mr. Hurg - a crime boss obsessed with fitness and health, he orchestrated Kurt's death and is highly skilled in combat.
- Cobra - an assassin hired by Mr. Hurg, his face is mutilated by Haunt, and resconstructive surgery leaves him very similar to his namesake.
- Amanda Kilgore - Kurt's widow and Daniel's former lover/wife. Her relationship with Daniel was cut short due to her infidelity with Kurt.
Sales
Less than a week before the release of Haunt #1, online columnistColumnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
Rich Johnston
Rich Johnston
Rich Johnston is a writer who writes about the comic book industry.-Early life:Johnston grew up in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, studied politics at University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and was an advertising copywriter until 2009; he currently lives in Kingston Vale, London, with his wife, Janice...
reported that comic book retailers pre-order
Pre-order
A pre-order is an order placed for an item which has not yet been released. The idea for pre-orders came when people found it hard to get popular items in stores due to their popularity. Companies were then given the idea to allow people to reserve their own personal copy, before the release, ...
ed nearly 60,000 copies of the first issue, which is more than a typical issue of The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man is an American comic book series published by Marvel Comics, featuring the adventures of the fictional superhero Spider-Man. Being the mainstream continuity of the franchise, it began publication in 1963 as a monthly periodical and was published continuously until it was...
.
Reviews
Haunt #1 received mixed reviews from critics. Jason Green of Playback:stl described the issue as "weird, wildly violent stuff, but it's also a visceral thrill, thanks mostly to the dark, evocative artwork." Green praised each of the book's creators, saying that they "mesh perfectly." On the other hand, Jesse Schedeen of IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
said Kirkman "doesn't offer any of his usual magic with these characters. Daniel and Kurt have no real depth to them. The series is completely and utterly cheerless. It takes itself far too seriously to the point of becoming a silly melodrama."
Chad Nevett of Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources
Comic Book Resources, also known as CBR is a website dedicated to the coverage of comic book-related news and discussion.-History:Comic Book Resources was founded by Jonah Weiland in 1996 as a development of the Kingdom Come Message Board, a message forum that Weiland had created to discuss DC...
called the artwork "disappointing, if only because Ryan Ottley is a better artist than Haunt #1’s work displays." Nevett also criticized the book for reading "almost like a parody of itself with dark characters, [...] excessive violence, [...] and a character design obviously influenced by McFarlane’s work on Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
."
Collected editions
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haunt, Volume 1 | Haunt #1-6 | April 2010 | |
| Haunt, Volume 2 | Haunt #7-12 | February 2011 | |
| Haunt: Immortal Edition | Haunt #1-12 | August 2011 |
External links
- Official minisite at Spawn.com
- Free Full Issue: Haunt #1 at Newsarama