Genre: Horror | Writer: Mickey Nielson | Artist: Jason Johnson
Publisher: Space Goat Productions | Release Date: 2017
Three weeks have passed since Chris Halloran revealed on national TV that werewolves walk among us. No one believed him. Now Marsha Quist has returned for revenge--and now there is no colony to hold back her blood lust.
Writing
The Howling: Revenge of the Werewolf Queen surprised me in the best way possible. As someone who was deeply underwhelmed (borderline irritated) by most of The Howling film sequels—with the exception of The Howling II—I wasn’t expecting this comic to impress me. But it absolutely did. Mickey Nielson, who has prior experience writing werewolf material, understands the genre’s primal appeal and injects that savagery into this story with no hesitation. His take on the lore is fresh, brutal, and far more cohesive than many of the films.
Chris Halloran, originally from the first movie, returns here as a grounded and likable protagonist. He’s not a throwaway character or passive observer—he’s central to the unraveling horror and has real emotional weight. However, the real standout is Marsha Quist. In the film she had potential but was underutilized. Here, she’s a fully-realized antagonist—seductive, terrifying, and relentlessly brutal. Her presence commands the story. The writing makes her more active and far more dangerous. Nielson builds the narrative over four issues, with each one escalating the violence and deepening the lore. The pacing works well, gradually feeding in revelations while amplifying the stakes.
The horror elements are on point—bloody, relentless, and effective. There’s real weight to the violence. This is a rare case where a licensed horror comic not only honors its source but outshines it. It feels like the true spiritual successor to the original The Howling.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Art Style
Jason Johnson’s artwork is a perfect match for the savage tone of Revenge of the Werewolf Queen. From the first issue, it’s clear he’s not holding back. There’s a confidence in his lines—angular, visceral, and full of motion—that gives the action scenes real bite. The gore is bold, detailed, and splatter-heavy without ever feeling cheap or excessive. When the werewolves attack, you feel it. Bones snap, flesh tears, and nothing is left to the imagination—and that’s exactly what a good horror comic should deliver.
One of the biggest artistic standouts is the transformation sequences. Werewolf shifts are notoriously hard to get right visually, but Johnson nails the horror of it. Limbs twist, jaws stretch, muscles bulk out—he conveys the agony and monstrosity in each frame. These moments feel like true set pieces rather than transitional panels.
And then there’s Marsha Quist. Her design is brilliant—a mix of seductive and savage. Johnson doesn’t shy away from her sexuality, but it’s never gratuitous. Instead, it serves her character—weaponized allure that hides a vicious beast underneath. She’s terrifying in both human and wolf form, and her presence dominates any panel she’s in.
The backgrounds are gritty, the lighting moody, and the layouts dynamic without being confusing. Johnson balances cinematic horror with comic book intensity, creating visuals that keep pace with the narrative’s blood-soaked urgency. Whether it’s a quiet moment of dread or full-on werewolf carnage, the art hits its mark. If you like your horror with teeth—literally—this comic delivers.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, The Howling: Revenge of the Werewolf Queen is hands-down the best interpretation of The Howling mythos to date. With Mickey Nielson’s feral storytelling and Jason Johnson’s savage, cinematic art, it elevates the franchise in a way none of the sequels ever managed. It’s vicious, visually brutal, and finally gives Marsha Quist her due as a horrifying lead. The Howling: Revenge of the Werewolf Queen gets 4 out of 5.
Comments
Post a Comment