| Character Name: | Haunt |
| Publisher: | Image Comics |
| Debut: | Haunt #1 (October 2009) |
| Creators: | Todd McFarlane Robert Kirkman |
| Full Name: | Daniel Kilgore and Kurt Kilgore |
| Species: | Human (Daniel Kilgore) Ghost (Kurt Kilgore) |
| Homeworld: | Earth |
| Alliances: | The Scorched |
| Powers: | Ectoplasm |
Haunt is an American comic book published by Image Comics. Created by Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman, the series debuted in October 2009[1] and ended in December 2012 after 28 issues. The comic was originally written by Kirkman with pencils by Ryan Ottley, layouts by Greg Capullo, and inks by McFarlane, to a mixed to positive critical reception.[2] Joe Casey and Nathan Fox took over as the book's creative team as of Haunt #19 to a universally negative reception, abandoning the original storyline and supporting cast and serving as a tie-in to the pair's Spawn series, in which Haunt is featured as a supporting character.[3]
Set in the Image Universe, the series' eponymous fictional superhero is the merged form of Catholic priest Daniel Kilgore and the ghost of his murdered secret agent brother, Kurt, who physically manifests as an ectoplasm-based suit.[4]
In a 2008 interview with Newsarama, Kirkman explained that the initial storyline in Haunt deals with Kurt trying to solve his own murder.[5] In February 2009 at New York Comic Con, Kirkman provided an overview of the series:
During a Q&A session at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con, McFarlane called on Kirkman, who was seated in the audience. Kirkman stood up and expressed that he was a fan, and wanted to know why McFarlane didn't work on comics anymore.[6] Not recognizing Kirkman, McFarlane responded, "I always sort of felt if you could create your own Mickey Mouse, it's a pretty good living. You don't need to do a Donald Duck and a Goofy and a Minnie Mouse. Arguably, [I've done that] with Spawn."[7] He added, "I do have some ideas, but I can only spread myself so thin." Fellow panelist Brian Haberlin finally told McFarlane that the audience member was Kirkman. After exchanging jokes, McFarlane asked Kirkman if he would be interested in collaborating on a project, to which Kirkman agreed.
Kurt was named after Kurt Vonnegut, while Daniel was named after Vonnegut's character, Kilgore Trout.
In 2007, Kirkman and McFarlane announced that they were working together on a new comic property titled Haunt with a series to debut in early 2008.[8] [9]
In July 2008 Kirkman explained that the book had been delayed due to artist trouble. This was prior to the announcement that Ottley and Capullo were joining the art team. It was also revealed that McFarlane would draw covers for the series.[4]
In February 2009, Image provided a series of teaser images to Comic Book Resources featuring the first artwork for Haunt.[10] [11] [12] The initial teaser indicated a summer 2009 launch, but no firm date was established until July, when Image announced the premiere issue would be released October 7, 2009. McFarlane has shouldered the blame for the delays,[13] saying, "I didn't want to be in a position where I put out a solicitation for the sake of putting out a solicitation. That's too easy."[14] He added, "I know it's been a little frustrating to Robert, but it's already been two years – what's two years and one month? We gotta do it. We gotta get it right." In July, a limited edition, 16-page preview book debuted at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.
Less than a week before the release of Haunt #1, online columnist Rich Johnston reported that comic book retailers pre-ordered nearly 60,000 copies of the first issue, which is more than a typical issue of The Amazing Spider-Man.[15]
Haunt #1 received mixed reviews from critics. Jason Green of Playback:stl described the issue as "weird, wildly violent stuff, but it's also a visceral thrill, thanks mostly to the dark, evocative artwork."[16] Green praised each of the book's creators, saying that they "mesh perfectly." On the other hand, Jesse Schedeen of IGN said Kirkman "doesn't offer any of his usual magic with these characters. Daniel and Kurt have no real depth to them. The series is completely and utterly cheerless. It takes itself far too seriously to the point of becoming a silly melodrama."[17]
Chad Nevett of Comic Book Resources called the artwork "disappointing, if only because Ryan Ottley is a better artist than Haunt #1’s work displays."[18] Nevett also criticized the book for reading "almost like a parody of itself with dark characters, [...] excessive violence, [...] and a character design obviously influenced by McFarlane’s work on Spider-Man."Haunt's design was also considered similar to symbiotes in Spider-Man.
| Title | Material collected | Publication date | ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haunt, Volume 1 | Haunt #1–5 | April 2010 | ||
| Haunt, Volume 2 | Haunt #6–12 | February 2011 | ||
| Haunt, Volume 3 | Haunt #13–18 | June 2012 | ||
| Haunt, Volume 4 | Haunt #19–24 | October 2012 | ||
| Haunt, Volume 5 (only digital) | Haunt #25–28 | January 2014 |