The fans of schlocky, B-movie horror now have a comic book heroine all their own in Grave Danger. The ComiXology Original from Tim Seeley and Mike Norton wore its cinematic influences on its sleeve in the first issue, and for the second, they’re diving deeper on the horrendous films that make Grave Danger so damn good.
The heroine whose name graces the cover of Grave Danger was introduced during ComiXology’s panel of original comics at SDCC. At the time, both Norton and Seeley (via telephone call) emphasized the horror movie schlock in Grave’s DNA. But if a killer operative working for a clandestine organization monitoring werewolves, vampires, and curses doesn’t convince you this series is for schlock enthusiasts, by shlock enthusiasts, our preview of Grave Danger #2 should do the trick.
We are proud to present the short list of “MOVIES THAT INFLUENCED US” by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton themselves, explaining how each so-called “bad movie” was actually invaluable research for this singular supernatural series. And fair warning: fans of genre filmmaking are going to want to take notes.
GRAVE DANGER is the story of agent… well, umm… GRAVE DANGER. The comic AND the character are both inspired by many action/spy/adventure/horror comics that creators Tim Seeley & Mike Norton grew up reading, but also some of the weirdest and schlocky movies that you’ve never heard of! Here are thirteen (for extra creep factor!) of the flicks that informed and distorted the strange psyche of our authors and taught valuable life skills to our main character- GRAVE DANGER!
Manos: The Hands of Fate
- SKILL: DEALING WITH MURDEROUS CULTS This terrible 1966 horror film made by a Texas fertilizer salesman is considered by many as the worst movie ever. It could be, but Agent Danger loves it. Also, bad guy Jao Pedro Worms seems to have picked up some fashions from it.
I Come in Peace
- SKILL: LAW ENFORCEMENT In this 1990 sci fi cop movie Dolph Lundgren has to rid the streets of an alien bounty hunter. It’s important to be able to be able to serve up law and order even in the face of spinning razor disc projectile weapons.
Dead Heat
- SKILL: UNDEAD COMBAT Buddy cop movie of the dead starring Joe Piscopo and Treat Williams. Fighting the living is just normal. Fighting the dead is… I guess just normal as well for GRAVE DANGER.
Night of the Bloody Apes
- SKILL: WRESTLING This really weird 1969 Mexican horror film comes in handy when Agent Danger meets her partner, luchadora-turned-pastor Jessenia Carpintero. Hypothetically, if she ever meets a face-eating man- monkey, it’ll help with that too.
Danger Diabolik
- SKILL: BEING COOL IN THE FACE OF DANGER In this 1968 Italian action movie (ALSO BASED ON A COMIC BOOK!), style is ultra-important. It’s very important that you look good while you do something dangerous!
The Entire Andy Sidaris oeuvre
- SKILL: REMOTE CONTROLLED WEAPONS MANAGEMENT. ALSO, GETTING DRESSED These T&A action movies (Malibu Express, Hard Ticket to Hawaii, etc.) that spanned over two decades are full of naked women, but they’re naked women IN CHARGE. They also blow up a lot of stuff. Highly influential.
Ninja III: The Domination
- SKILL: DEALING WITH DEMON POSSESSION. ALSO, NINJITSU In 1984, Ninjas were all the rage. Phone repairperson/aerobics instructor/demon-possessed-ninjas were not. Excellent for learning how to kill on a golf course.
Beast Master II: Through the Portal of Time
- SKILL: TIME TRAVEL When faced with an enemy of enhanced temporal abilities, better be prepared for when you ultimately get transported to 1990 and have to fight Wings Hauser.
Curse of the Wolf
- SKILL: FIGHTING WEREWOLVES Agent Grave Danger has a thing about wolves (just read the book and find out!). This no-budget 2006 flick by karate-horror auteur Len Kabasinski is a template for how to deal with them.
Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies
- SKILL: REBUKING TEMPTATION What would you do if an demon trapped in a crystal offered you anything you wanted? If you learn anything from this 1999 horror film about an evil genie that goes to prison, you know the answer is RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN.
Blades
- SKILL: DEFENSE AGAINST EVIL MACHINERY This 1989 movie is about a killer lawnmower terrorizing a golf course. I don’t know about your job, but this is stuff agent GRAVE DANGER needs to know.
Howard the Duck
- SKILL: BAND MANAGEMENT Disclaimer- One of the creators of GRAVE DANGER saw this movie 4 TIMES in the theater when he was 12 years old.
The Eliminators
- SKILL: WORKING WITH A DIVERSE TEAM OF SPECIALISTS This 1986 action flick was trying to do the cinematic Avengers thirty years early, and the smooth integration of ninja, cyborg and “Crocodile Dundee type guy” prepares our Agent to work with the oddballs of Headstone.
That’s definitely an all-star lineup of influences, regardless of what Rotten Tomatoes, any established aesthetics, or common definitions of “tasteful” or “good” have to say about it. Now if anyone needs us, we have some films to watch before the next issue of Grave Danger arrives to channel the very worst of schlock into the very best of comics.
In the meantime, take a look at six pages from the upcoming Grave Danger #2 to see how these cinematic gems have contributed to this supernatural ComiXology Original:
Grave Danger #2 arrives on August 22nd, 2018 and can be pre-ordered through ComiXology now.
She is GRAVE DANGER, agent of HEADSTONE, a joint clandestine espionage organization that handles all unspeakable crime - Illegal acts committed by paranormal entities such as vampires, witches, demons, and Frankensteins. Agent Danger leaps into action from the suborbital MOURNING ANGEL base, afraid of nothing! Except getting her shoes dirty. And heights. Also, her past.
Part of the comiXology Originals line of exclusive digital content only available on comiXology and Kindle. This title will be available as part of comiXology Unlimited, Kindle Unlimited and Prime Reading on release.
