Halloween may still be a few months away but when it comes to comics, Horror can be anytime as James Blundell checks out a trio of horror based anthology issues including: London Horror Comic, Torments and Fables of Fear.

The first is #9 of the London Horror Comic which introduces Jane Silver, a hard drinking, chain smoking supernatural investigator to this anthology  as she attempts to fight the horrors of London in two stories involving rental accommodation and strip clubs.

Jean-Paul Kamath has written a fun and exciting pair of stories,  both of which cry a dry and acerbic wit and humour thanks to their lead character. Meanwhile, artist Julius Ohta offers up some gorgeous art which has a look similar to that found in Secret Service, although the colours from Hi-Fi Designs are much richer and vibrant here.

However, the issue does have a few flaws, namely the confusion regarding the context of plots. This is because while the stories themselves are easy enough to understand, the logic behind the Villains plans seems convoluted. Also, while not a flaw per se, Jane bears an uncanny resemblance to a certain Hellblazer character which could undoubtedly result in comparisons being made.

Nonetheless, this latest instalment of the London Horror Comic was an enjoyable addition to the series which works well as both an entry point to this great series or a continuation (depending on whether you are a first time or returning reader).

Get the London Horror Comic for £9 from their online store

Next up is Torments, a horror anthology series by Pat Garden where the first issue contains three unsettling tales. The first tells of when two competitive brothers are separated by death, while the second deals with the ramifications of an elderly man attempting to escape that very same Grim Reaper. Finally, while out hunting with his Father, a young boy finds that they are not the only hunters in the forest.

Pat Garden’s first issue is a really well written collection of stories, all of them feeling very Outer Limits in their tone. If there is one flaw it is that the stories, overall, feel like they are missing a part of their plot which allows them to make complete sense. However, this doesn’t really detract from making them an eerie and engrossing set of stories.

Meanwhile, Garden’s art gives off this rather creepy vibe which is reminiscent of Alterna’s Horrors of the West series or even early The Walking Dead. In all, Torments #1 was a good read and a very enjoyable issue which looks creepily fantastic and certainly inspires you to seek out future tales.

Get Torments #1 fro £1.59 from ComiXology

Finally, written by Karl Brandt with art by David Pearson, Fables of Fear #2 offers readers two short stories that offer an eerie and disconcerting view on the world as not only do we see a man embark on the ultimate test of survival but a pair of escaped prisoners flee into the Australian Outback amidst rumours of man eating Tigers.

This comic was a really enjoyable read, with both stories having a very ‘Outer Limits’ vibe to them. Both stories felt perfectly paced and worked well at their respective page counts. Meanwhile, David Pearson’s art works well with both tales, as his style imbues a very European flavour reminiscent of the Valerian and Laureline series.

If there is one complaint to this comic it has to be the issue’s size as 12 pages feels far too short. However, this also works to its favour as, like any good meal, a small serving certainly will convince you to come back for seconds.

Fables of Fear #2 is coming soon to ComiXology