Friday Fives: Ash Costello of New Years Day picks her favorite dark comic books

We here at AP know you internet denizens love lists. And we know that folks in bands have other interests beyond cranking out decibels. So here’s Friday Fives, a column that solicits a list of five subjects from a number of various rockers.

This week, New Years Day frontwoman, Ash Costello schools you on five comic books every goth-geek should read.
 

As I travel this country on tour with my band New Years Day, I get to meet a lot of really cool people. Our conversations always turn to the more geeky things in life like World Of Warcraft, The Lord Of The Rings, Magic Cards, Warhammer, Skyrim, Fangoria and of course, comic books! What I have learned from meeting our teenage fans is they are unaware of some of the most classic and quintessential comic books for us goth kids. So here it is, my list of the five essential geeky-goth comic books!

1. Johnny The Homicidal Maniac
My first and most important comic book that I can recommend to any fan of the darker, morbid side of life, is Johnny The Homicidal Maniac. It’s a seven-issue series and the first comic book by genius Jhonen Vasquez, the creator of Nickelodeon’s beloved Invader Zim. The series follows the industrial boot-wearing, black-and-white-striped-T-shirt donning Johnny C, a serial killer compelled to kill the lowest scum of a judgmental society by some supernatural force. For me, he was Dexter Morgan before the show Dexter existed—taking out those who judge us on our looks in the most gruesome of ways. Not only is the comic hilarious and very smart, it taught me to be myself and not be afraid of what anyone else had to say about it. So, if you are a teenager reading this article, and are being picked on, get all that aggression out by reading this incredible comic book.

2. Lenore The Cute Little Dead Girl
This one is for all my little goth girls out there! If you are a fan of creepy and cute, then this comic is for you. This black comedy series by Roman Dirge is sure to make any little gothling giggle at its morbid humor. The story follows the adorably undead little girl Lenore with macabre short stories that usually result in the death of those around her. Heartbreakingly cute and very fun to read.

3. The Crow
The quintessential comic book for any fan of things about the darker side of life. If you have seen the movie and have not read the comic book, then do so immediately! The Crow was written by James O'Barr in 1989 after the death of his girlfriend and made into the movie we all know and love, in 1994. The story revolves around Eric Draven, who is resurrected after death by a crow to deliver vengeance on the murderers of his fiancé Shelly.

4. The Umbrella Academy
Created and written by my personal hero, My Chemical Romance singer Gerard Way. This is his first six-issue series and rumor has it, Universal Pictures has picked it up for a movie release! It’s unusual, quirky and has the most original new superheroes I’ve seen in a long time: A group of adopted super-powered siblings team up to fight everyone from the Murder Magician to zombie-robot Gustave Eiffel. A must-read for any comic book and MCR fan.

5. Sandman
Now, Sandman can seem intimidating to new comic book readers (mainly because its about 75 issues long), but do not be afraid my dear friends; it is not as complicated of a series at it seems! One of the most legendary and traditional “goth” comic books, the story, written by Neil Gaiman, takes place in the world of Sandman and follows seven deities called “The Endless” that embody and control human concepts. These are Dream, Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction and Destiny, but the main character is Dream, who controls human dreams and emotions. (Sidenote: To all Sandman fans out there, my favorite issue is No. 8, The Sound Of Her Wings, mainly because it is the first issue that features Death, Dream's sister, who is as adorable, as death can be and is my favorite Sandman character—and the favorite of all other goth girls out there.)