Horror Highlights: THE LAST OF US: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON 4K UHD Steelbook, REJECTED, HALLOWEEN TEAM, BEHIND THE SHADOWS

In this edition of Horror Highlights, we have details on The Last of Us: The Complete First Season 4K UHD Steelbook, Rene Rivas’ short film Rejected (which was recently released on CryptTV), information on the Halloween Team graphic novel, and release details for Ray Van Horn, Jr.’s new horror anthology Behind the Shadows.

THE LAST OF US: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON 4K UHD Steelbook: “In anticipation of the Season 2 premiere of “The Last of Us” on HBO, catch up on all nine episodes of the critically-acclaimed first season, along with nearly 3 hours of special features!

SYNOPSIS: The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

About Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels. WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.”

To learn more, visit Amazon!

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Watch Rene Rivas’ Short Film REJECTED: “Three twisted tales of macabre horror unfold, all linked by an antiquated digital camera from 1997. The tales intertwine, creating a narrative that is both terrifying and hilariously absurd.

Bryn Booth as Jamie
Joel Foster as Nathan
David Rice as Bobby
Erin Zipse as Alice
Austin Buchanan as Jonah
Brandon Waites as Big
Alex Demeroutis as Abby
Lauren Hardcastle as Sue
Haley Jaeger as Beth
Bradford Trojan as Jeff
Rene Rivas as Bob Dergens
Sarah Llewellyn as Sharron Nelson

CREW
Written and Directed by Rene Rivas
Executive Producer – Kristy Faciane
Producers – Rene Rivas, Amit Sharma, Michael Capuano
Director of Photography – Peter Fuhrman

Music by John Bartmann”

Rejected Short Film (via CryptTV):

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HALLOWEEN TEAM Graphic Novel Release Details: “Spooky Season has arrived early this year. Comicker Press has announced the acquisition and re-launch of HALLOWEEN TEAM, a previously self-published comic book series from writer/creator Danny Baram and artist Matt Shults. Comicker is publishing a new graphic novel edition of HALLOWEEN TEAM, with the digital edition launching on 1/28/2025 on Comicker’s website – as well as on Amazon/Comixology, Comix.One, GlobalComix, and Hoopla. The print edition will be available soon via Comicker’s store and other retailers TBA.

The HALLOWEEN TEAM re-launch arrives just as Comicker looks to make a big 2025 push, with a slate of new comic books and graphic novels from emerging comics creators like Danny Baram, John Avina, Lorry Jamison, and more. Additionally, Comicker recently announced that Dwight L. MacPherson is its new Editor-In-Chief, bringing he and Rebecca MacPherson’s Hocus Pocus Comics along as a new imprint of Comicker. Comicker has long been dedicated to promoting diverse voices and stories, through partnering with and selling creator-owned graphic novels. Comicker’s focus has been helping artists get their work published while allowing them to keep creative control — with a commitment to creator ownership that sets them apart from other publishers. Comicker’s mission is to bring the best of independent comics to the world, and that mission is set to get supercharged in 2025.

Says Comicker head Peter Steiner: “We couldn’t be more excited to add HALLOWEEN TEAM to our 2025 publishing slate. It’s a fun and fresh and relatable story that we think has wide appeal. We think it will be a seasonal favorite for years to come, and we can’t wait to get it out there into the world to as many readers as possible.”

HALLOWEEN TEAM tells a compelling story that blends horror, adventure, mystery, and romance: Years ago, five misfit kids banded together to form Halloween Team – a group dedicated to solving mysteries and hunting monsters in the small town of Greenwood, MA. Now, twenty years later, the kids are grown and lead separate lives – until a new mystery brings them together for one more adventure.

Upon its initial digital release in 2022, HALLOWEEN TEAM garnered positive reviews and was covered by major outlets like GamesRadar / Newsarama, Daily Dead, and Fanbase Press. That said, writer/creator Danny Baram is excited to bring this story to a wider audience via Comicker.

“It’s been fantastic working with Peter Steiner and becoming part of the Comicker family,” says Baram. “I can’t wait to re-launch HALLOWEEN TEAM and expand our readership and fanbase. And of course, working with Comicker means the potential to continue the story beyond this initial volume – which is something I’d hoped for the opportunity to do. There’s so much potential for storytelling in this universe.”

Danny Baram is a writer for Film, TV, and comic books who loves big, fun, ambitious, action-packed genre stories – sci-fi, fantasy, and horror – that have relatable characters, plenty of humor, and lots of heart. Danny’s stories are filled with monsters, magic, alternate universes, and mind-bending musings about the nature of reality – but he also like to explore the challenges, awkwardness, and uncertainties of everyday life. Danny’s written award-winning Film/TV scripts Alt Alex, Simulation Theory, and Frank & Stein. However, writing for comics and creating an original comic book has also been a lifetime goal. Originally from the small town of Bloomfield, CT – Danny now resides in the Los Angeles area.

Matt Shults is based in Austin, TX – and has extensive experience in comic art and illustration. His past comic book work includes the 5-issue series The Link. He’s also been commissioned to create original poster art for trade shows, corporate events, concerts, and more. Matt has an expressive style that is bold and unique, but also places a premium on character. Matt did pencils, inks, colors, AND lettering for Halloween Team.

Other top Comicker comic book and graphic novel releases include WAKING LIFE, LOST ANGELS, and LUCHA FOREVER. For the latest Comicker Press news, follow them on social media, and visit the official Comicker website at comickerpress.com.”

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Ray Van Horn, Jr.’s Horror Anthology BEHIND THE SHADOWS Now Available: “Conjuring ten haunting tales to bring a shiver down your spine, author Ray Van Horn, Jr. shares a mixtape blend reminiscent of EC Comics and 80s horror: unsettling narratives to invade your dreams and keep you up at night.”

Praise for Behind the Shadows:

“Ray Van Horn, Jr.’s obvious love for the movies, music, comics, and -yes- the horror fiction of the 1980s bleeds through every page of BEHIND THE SHADOWS. Ray’s got the good stuff here, folks.” – Dayton Ward, New York Times best-selling author, Star Trek universe

“Like the great EC comics of yore, BEHIND THE SHADOWS is a hell of a horror anthology – literally! It’s gruesome, terrifying, and tinged with a punk attitude. What else do you need, and why are still reading this testimonial? Buy this damn book!” – Josh Eiserike, author THE VERY FINAL LAST GIRLS; CHARM CITY; G.I. JOE: RENEGADES

“You wanna know what’s BEHIND THE SHADOWS? Ray Van Horn, Jr. is more than happy to show you. Fractured families and frothing creatures. Endless nights and pulsing darkness. It’s a nostalgic ride back to the horrors of your youth. Logic isn’t always logical, and the horrors don’t always end when the lights come on. But it’s a damn good time!” – John Boden, author SNARL and THE ETIQUETTE OF BOOBY TRAPS

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