Edgar Allen Poe’s Snifter of Terror returns for the fourth issue of season 2! This edition features a retelling of The Black Cat and a somewhat-sequel to The Gold Bug, as well as the customary short pieces of writing and the Itchy and Scratchy-esque Poe and the Black Cat. As always, the art for this series is a blend of pulp and modern stylings that fit the writing perfectly. This time around we’re greeted by the titular writer in a movie theater as he reflects on the glut of remakes, reboots, and reimaginings which comprise modern Hollywood before promptly vomiting on himself and announcing a remake of his own.

The Black Cat is a great addition to the Snifter from the very first panel, wherein our protagonist is slowly succumbing to the effects of experimental veterinary euthanasia (no, this will not be addressed further. Experimental veterinary death sentence it is). We’re then told through flashback about the series of events which led the character to death row– without spoiling the story,  a Knight Rider-esque car and political differences of opinion are involved. The dialogue in this story and its absurd characters are what make it so fun to read. It’s sardonic and biting while including gems like “Shut the fuck up, car. Human is boss.”

Unfortunately, The Gold Bug II  may be the first minor stumble I’ve seen from Edgar Allen Poe’s Snifter of Terror. It’s not that the story isn’t interesting enough, and I loved the visuals of this short, but the tone just didn’t quite line up with the rest of the series. The Lost in Space inspired art direction is very sleek, but this is a more serious feeling entry that just didn’t quite stick the landing for me.

The supplemental shorts that are found in every issue of the Snifter always make for fun and punchy little diversions, but this month I was particularly drawn to Robert Jeschonek’s Eggs of the Dog That Bit You. This short story is so bizarre that it would probably feel right at home in an Eraserhead Press collection, and by the end I wanted a Fleecy of my own despite the potentially apocalyptic repercussions. Overall, Edgar Allen Poe’s Snifter of Terror Season 2 continues to be an enjoyable and light-hearted take on the macabre and is definitely worth a read for both lovers of horror and classic literature.

8 out of 10 casks