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Taboo #1
Taboo #1
Taboo is a comics anthology edited by Steve Bissette, designed to feature edgier and more adult comics than those published through mainstream publishers. The series began as a horror anthology, but soon branched out into other genres as well.
This first issue features work from Alan Moore, Charles Burns, Eddie Campbell, Chester Brown, Charles Vess, and many others.
This first issue features work from Alan Moore, Charles Burns, Eddie Campbell, Chester Brown, Charles Vess, and many others.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1988
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About the author
Stephen R. Bissette
263 books51 followersStephen R. Bissette is an American comics artist, editor, and publisher with a focus on the horror genre. He is best known for working with writer Alan Moore and inker John Totleben on the DC comic Swamp Thing in the 1980s.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 7, 2020
Rereading May 2020.
Not surprisingly, this seems less "taboo" today than 30 years ago. But many of the pieces have surprising arcs and memorable artwork. Alan Moore's "Come on Down" is pretty different from what I remember of his work of the time. Mike Hoffman's detailed art, with the lovely shadows and texturing, is in "Tooth Decay" (so-so story) and the first installment of Tim Lucas' "Throat Sprockets". "Sprockets" is somewhat legendary these days in horror comic circles, and still works its uneasy magic effectively. Its heady brew of obscure films and dark sexual obsession unfolds at a leisurely pace. There are two more installments coming in later Taboo issues; it would be nice to have the whole set collected in one volume, maybe with Lucas' later novel.
Charles Burns' "Contagious" reads like a rehearsal for the teen sex/body horror of Black Hole. This was the AIDS era pre-protease inhibitors, so Burns most likely had contemporary events in mind despite the classic Americana setting. I also really like the art in Bernie Mireault's "Cable" (beautiful lighting effects and texturing), and Keith Giffen's "Chigger and the Man" (love the blocks of black, and tense jagged lines). Chester Brown's gerbil pieces are absurdist trifles, but good fun to wrap up the issue.
Not surprisingly, this seems less "taboo" today than 30 years ago. But many of the pieces have surprising arcs and memorable artwork. Alan Moore's "Come on Down" is pretty different from what I remember of his work of the time. Mike Hoffman's detailed art, with the lovely shadows and texturing, is in "Tooth Decay" (so-so story) and the first installment of Tim Lucas' "Throat Sprockets". "Sprockets" is somewhat legendary these days in horror comic circles, and still works its uneasy magic effectively. Its heady brew of obscure films and dark sexual obsession unfolds at a leisurely pace. There are two more installments coming in later Taboo issues; it would be nice to have the whole set collected in one volume, maybe with Lucas' later novel.
Charles Burns' "Contagious" reads like a rehearsal for the teen sex/body horror of Black Hole. This was the AIDS era pre-protease inhibitors, so Burns most likely had contemporary events in mind despite the classic Americana setting. I also really like the art in Bernie Mireault's "Cable" (beautiful lighting effects and texturing), and Keith Giffen's "Chigger and the Man" (love the blocks of black, and tense jagged lines). Chester Brown's gerbil pieces are absurdist trifles, but good fun to wrap up the issue.
August 25, 2012
A landmark anthology, although now it seems perhaps a bit more subdued than I recalled from when I first read it about 20 years ago. Bissette's cover and short story are probably the most "taboo" pieces in the book (other than the non-story illustrations), and they still stand strong. The two-page story by S. Clay Wilson is notable mostly for its lack of his usual sex and gore, but I think it's actually two of his best-drawn pages. The Alan Moore rarity "Come on Down" is hardly Moore's best, but I can see how it's been endlessly copied since it first appeared in 1988 (I could be wrong, but I don't think this has ever been reprinted). "Scarecrow" by Charles Vess is exquisitely drawn, although not very "taboo." "Tooth Decay" is solid, and leaves you feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Contagious" is a classic Charles Burns story -- very much in line with the other work he was producing in the late Eighties. "Cable" by Bernie Mireault is one of the best pieces in the book -- Mireault should have been a comics superstar. "Eyes Without a Face" is kinda gross and features some lovely cartooning, but it's more in the EC-pastiche flavor of "Plop" than truly horrifying. "Throat Sprockets" by Tim Lucas and Mike Hoffman remains an astounding classic, as is Eddie Campbell's look at "The Pyjama Girl." It was nice to see Keith Giffen given free reign with "Chigger and the Man," and I enjoyed the early and darkly funny Chester Brown work that rounds out the book. A solid horror collection, one of the edgiest and best-produced comics of its time, and still one that carries a few shocks to the system.
March 1, 2024
A horror comics anthology spearheaded by Bissette.
Has some pretty great creators attached to it. S. Clay Wilson, Charles Vess, Charles Burns, Chester Brown, Greg Irons. Alan Moore pens a story. I found the Eddit Campbell stuff really dull - but he ends up serializing From Hell in later Taboo volumes. Pretty cool to see some early Chester Brown. The Burns "Contagious" feels like a warm-up to Black Hole. Nothing else really stood out for me or was very memorable.
Has some pretty great creators attached to it. S. Clay Wilson, Charles Vess, Charles Burns, Chester Brown, Greg Irons. Alan Moore pens a story. I found the Eddit Campbell stuff really dull - but he ends up serializing From Hell in later Taboo volumes. Pretty cool to see some early Chester Brown. The Burns "Contagious" feels like a warm-up to Black Hole. Nothing else really stood out for me or was very memorable.
March 4, 2018
A few obvious pieces, but overall a first rate horror anthology comic. Throat Sprockets by Tim Lucas & Mike Hoffman, Contagious by Charles Burns and Tooth Decay by Tom Sniegoski & Mike Hoffman (again) were my favourites. Come On Down by Alan Moore & Bill Wray is basically a Future Shock, and shows the limitations of Moore’s short-form writing. The only piece I strongly disliked was the Keith Giffen story, which was cheap misogyny as we often get from him. Even the S. Clay Wilson story was entertaining; I don’t usually connect with his stuff, but he was trying something a bit different to usual and I think it worked.
If you like underground comix and relatively unsanitized horror comics, Taboo #1 is well worth a look. Editor Steven Bissette is a discerning horror fan, and has made a strong selection.
If you like underground comix and relatively unsanitized horror comics, Taboo #1 is well worth a look. Editor Steven Bissette is a discerning horror fan, and has made a strong selection.
April 16, 2023
Revisiting one of the all time great horror anthologies. While the stories in this volume aren't the strongest (especially compared to later volumes) there are still some fun pieces by iconic comic creators. The stories contained in this volume include: "Kitty Killer Kids" by S. Clay Wilson, "Come on Down" by Alan Moore & Bill Wray, "Scarecrow" by Charles Vess, "Tooth Decay" by Tom Sniegoski & Mike Hoffman, "Contagious" by Charles Burns, "Cable" by Bernie Mireault, "Eyes Without a Face" by Jack Butterworth & Cam Kennedy, "Throat Sprockets" by Tim Lucas & Mike Hoffman, "Pyjama Girl" by Eddie Campbell, "Cottonmouth" by Steve Bissette, "Chigger and the Man" by Kieth Giffen & Robert Fleming, and "Dirk the Gerbil" and "A Late Night Snack" by Chester Brown. Some obvious great talent on board right from the jump, and most of the stories landed well.
The highlights for me was the Moore/Wray story and the Sniegoski/Hoffman story. Both had sufficient pages to tell a satisfying story from start to finish, while most others felt like interesting hooks to an underdeveloped story. The Charles Burns story in particular felt this way since the story came off as a prototype for "Black Hole". But I liked the stories all generally, and the massive artistic talent that went into each story cannot be stated enough. Not the best work of all the cartoonists involved, but even at 80% of their best it's still damn good stuff.
The highlights for me was the Moore/Wray story and the Sniegoski/Hoffman story. Both had sufficient pages to tell a satisfying story from start to finish, while most others felt like interesting hooks to an underdeveloped story. The Charles Burns story in particular felt this way since the story came off as a prototype for "Black Hole". But I liked the stories all generally, and the massive artistic talent that went into each story cannot be stated enough. Not the best work of all the cartoonists involved, but even at 80% of their best it's still damn good stuff.
October 5, 2022
A horror anthology that evokes more of a classic feel like The Twilight Zone and old EC comics. A collection of top notch indie and underground creators, bringing tales of unsettling and surreal terror. It never relies on cheap gimmicks like overwhelming gore or shock value. Every creator bringing their A game to compose something truly special, and unique to most of what was on the racks at that time.
May 17, 2025
veers from splatterpunk
to small, surreal horror
good anthology
to small, surreal horror
good anthology
December 25, 2007
The bookstore I worked at got several Tabbo volumes in. The contents were a mixed bag. The Gaiman and Moore entries (Lost Girls!) the usual brilliant standard.
The related stories of some printers refusing to print Taboo based on the shocking story content was actually more interesting than the supposedly shocking stories themselves.
Overall, neat to get a chance to take a look at pieces of comic book history.
The related stories of some printers refusing to print Taboo based on the shocking story content was actually more interesting than the supposedly shocking stories themselves.
Overall, neat to get a chance to take a look at pieces of comic book history.
January 21, 2016
This was the first issue of an amazingly great comics magazine, something like semiannual, edited and published by Steve Bissette.
Its focus was horror, broadly drawn, a genre i only like in comics, only when well done. These were really well done.
Soon - I can't remember if it began in first issue or second - the serialization and original publication of From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell began to appear, here, a chapter at a time.
Highly recommended.
Its focus was horror, broadly drawn, a genre i only like in comics, only when well done. These were really well done.
Soon - I can't remember if it began in first issue or second - the serialization and original publication of From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell began to appear, here, a chapter at a time.
Highly recommended.
November 6, 2022
I don't know why I didn't put 5 stars for this....I really don't. Amazing collection of talent.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews