Suspended Animation: Boneyard

Boneyard #1/$2.95 & 22 pgs. from NBM Publishing/art and story by Richard<br>Moore/sold in comic shops, by mail and at www.nbmpublishing.com.<br><br>Boneyard is a new, quarterly comic book series that whips

Friday, June 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Boneyard #1/$2.95 & 22 pgs. from NBM Publishing/art and story by Richard
Moore/sold in comic shops, by mail and at www.nbmpublishing.com.

Boneyard is a new, quarterly comic book series that whips a dash of chills
into a dollop of ha-ha just waiting for an audience hungry for adventure
with a touch of different. That, at least, is what the publisher's press
release promises.

Lo and behold and glory hallelujah, sometimes promises are kept.

The proof, of course, is in the plotting.

Michael Paris's grandfather died and left young Michael's plot in Raven
Hollow, a town under a cloud of mystery and deceit. Sunlight ends where the
city limits of Raven Hollow begin, and Michael's plot thickens as he is
greeted by a mob bearing signs like "Undead

"Go Home!" and "Just Say No To Evil".

No, Michael has not inherited a Nancy Reagan anti-drug campaign, silly. He
has inherited a haunted cemetery that the Ravenites want destroyed,
willy-nilly.

Why they wish it razed is best answered by why they wish it razed. Among the
graveyard's outlandish eyesores is a female Creature From The Black
Lavatory, a gigantic bulldog with horns and wings, a cigar-smoking skeleton,
or a six-eyed centipede-or- something in sunglasses. But wouldn't you know
that Michael's answer must come from the most frightening of the lot...a hot
babe in tight, black leotards.

The additional required proof, of course, is also in the pencils (and inks,
and visual and verbal timing, characterization, and dialog).

Wouldn't you know that the readers' answer on whether Boneyard is worth
buying must come from the most hideous of any lot...the cartoonist. I mean,
is this guy good, or what?

Cartoonist Richard Moore is good, and what a joy it is that this first 4
issue story arc sets the stage for intriguing characters who will fall into
different and new plots for quite some time to come.

Therefore, my brother, let it be known that Boneyard is recommended for
readers of all ages. MV

Shudder at Vance's Light's End stories at www.hawkpub.com.