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Haunt (comics)

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Haunt
Promotional art for Haunt #2. Art by Todd McFarlane.
Publication information
PublisherImage Comics
First appearanceOctober 2009
Created byTodd McFarlane
Robert Kirkman
In-story information
Full nameDaniel Kilgore and Kurt Kilgore

Haunt is a fictional comic book character who appears in a self-titled ongoing series created by Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman, launched by Image Comics on October 7, 2009.[1] The comic is written by Kirkman with layouts done by Greg Capullo, pencils by Ryan Ottley, and inks by McFarlane.[2]

Haunt is a story about Daniel Kilgore, a Catholic priest, who is haunted by the ghost of his estranged brother Kurt, a murdered secret agent. The brothers combine to form a superhero.[3]

Overview

In a 2008 interview with Newsarama, Kirkman explained that the initial storyline in Haunt deals with Kurt trying to solve his own murder.[4] In February 2009 at New York Comic-Con, Kirkman provided an overview of the series:

The main basis of the story is that there are two brothers who have hated each other for a good long time and are now forced to interact because one of them has died and is haunting the other. It's a big action extravaganza from there on out.[5]

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.[6] 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."[7] He added, "I do have some ideas, but I can only spread myself so thin."[7] Fellow panelist Brian Haberlin finally told McFarlane that the audience member was Kirkman.[7] After exchanging jokes, McFarlane asked Kirkman if he would be interested in collaborating on a project, to which Kirkman agreed.[4][7]

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.[8][9] In July 2008, however, Kirkman explained that the book had been delayed due to artist trouble.[4] This was prior to the announcement that Ottley and Capullo were joining the art team. Kirkman also confirmed that McFarlane would draw covers for the series.[10]

In February 2009, Image provided a series of teaser images to Comic Book Resources featuring the first artwork for Haunt.[11][12][13] 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.[1] McFarlane has shouldered the blame for the delays,[14] 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."[15] 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."[15] In July, a limited edition, 16-page preview book debuted at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.[3]

Characters

  • Father Daniel Kilgore - a priest
  • Kurt Kilgore - a deceased secret agent and Daniel's estranged brother
    • Haunt - this being is created when Kurt's ghost merges with Daniel's body.
  • Dr. Shillinger - a mad scientist
  • Mirage - an agent working for the Agency and a former lover of Kurt's.
  • Assistant Director Theresa Rhodes - a sleeper agent in the Agency
  • Amanda Kilgore - Kurt's widow and Daniel's former lover/wife
  • Cobra - an assassin hired by Mr. Hurg
  • Director Stantz - former Director of the Agency, was shot in the head by Assistant Director Theresa Rhodes in issue #5.
  • Director Beth Tosh - former Assistant Director of the Agency, now acting Director after the murder of Director Stantz by Theresa Rhodes.
  • Mr. Hurg - a criminal obsessed with fitness and health

Issues

Issue Summary Release Date
1 Daniel Kilgore is dragged into his estranged brother Kurt's secret life of murder and espionage... by his ghost. With no training whatsoever, guided by the spirit of his secret-agent brother, Daniel must now solve his brother's murder and save the world--or die trying! October 2009
2 Daniel Kilgore is pulled deeper into his estranged brother Kurt's secret life of murder and espionage. Still haunted by Kurt's ghost, Daniel tries to figure out the secrets of Haunt and his new abilities -- all the while, protecting the people around him from the assassins who murdered his brother and set this whole story in motion. November 2009
3 Daniel Kilgore now finds himself entrenched in his brother Kurt's secret life of espionage and murder. Finally, the two of them meet someone who can explain their otherworldly situation. At long last a few secrets are revealed as we learn more about Haunt and what makes him tick. December 2009
4 Haunt faces off against Cobra for the second time -- just in time to learn his weakness! Daniel Kilgore's quest to find his brother's killer and save the world just got a whole lot more difficult. January 2010
5 More is revealed involving Kurt's death, and it puts Daniel and Kurt at odds once again. A mole is exposed within The Agency and Haunt must come to a decision involving his future. February 2010
6 The events surrounding Kurt’s death are revisited, this time from the perspective of the mysterious Mirage, providing more insight into the birth of Haunt. March 2010
7 Daniel Kilgore is now firmly entrenched in his brother's life of espionage and intrigue... but is he ready for it? Just as Daniel begins to get his life in order, it appears it might suddenly end. May 2010
8 TBA July 2010
9 TBA August 2010
10 TBA September 2010
11 TBA October 2010

Reception

Sales

Less than a week before the release of Haunt #1, online columnist Rich Johnston reported that comic book retailers pre-ordered nearly 60,000 copies of the first issue, which is more than a typical issue of The Amazing Spider-Man.[15]

Reviews

Haunt #1 has 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."[16] Green praised each of the book's creators, saying that they "mesh perfectly."[16] On the other hand, Jesse Schedeen of IGN 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."[17] 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."[18] 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."[18]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Image Solicitations, October 2009". Comic Book Resources. 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2009-08-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Brady, Matt (2009-02-07). "NYCC '09 - Image Comics Panel". Newsarama. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  3. ^ a b Rosa, Rene (2009-07-09). "Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman's Haunt SDCC Preview Book First Look". UGO Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  4. ^ a b c Rogers, Vaneta (2008-07-03). "WWC: Robert Kirkman". Newsarama. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  5. ^ Phegley, Kiel (2009-02-06). "NYCC: Kirkman & McFarlane Mix Heroes & Horror With Haunt". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-08-10.
  6. ^ Rogers, Vaneta (2008-08-08). "Todd McFarlane: Back to the (Comic) Books". Newsarama. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  7. ^ a b c d Khouri, Andy (2006-07-22). "CCI, Day 3: McFarlane Vs Kirkman?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  8. ^ Phillips, Dan (2007-07-31). "SDCC 07: McFarlane Returns to Comics - Sort Of". IGN. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  9. ^ Soponis, Trevor (2007-11-05). "Robert Kirkman: Hardest Working Writer in Comics?". Publishers Weekly (Reed Business Information). Retrieved 2009-08-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Wigler, Josh (2008-10-30). "Robert Kirkman: On Time in '09". Wizard (Wizard Entertainment). Retrieved 2009-08-12. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "McFarlane & Kirkman Team on Haunt". Comic Book Resources. 2009-02-04. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  12. ^ "Exclusive Haunt Art by Ryan Ottley". Comic Book Resources. 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  13. ^ "Exclusive: Haunt Teaser #3". Comic Book Resources. 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  14. ^ Wigler, Josh (2009-08-11). "CCI: Kirkmania". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  15. ^ a b c Wigler, Josh (2009-07-25). "CCI Exclusive: Kirkman and McFarlane on Haunt". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-08-09. Cite error: The named reference "TMquote" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  16. ^ a b Green, Jason (2009-10-02). "Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane and Invincible/Walking Dead Writer Robert Kirkman team up to Create Image's latest Horror-Tinged Hero". Playback:stl. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  17. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2009-09-30). "Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane Debut a New Supernatural Anti-Hero". Playback:stl. Retrieved 2009-10-06.
  18. ^ a b Nevett, Chad (2009-10-04). "CBR Reviews - Haunt #1". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2009-10-06.


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