Diary of a Stinky Dead Kid (Tales from the Crypt Series #8) »

Stefan Petrucha has written X-Files comics and for Disney comics. He is the author of a few YA series: “Timetripper" (Razorbill), "Frankenstein" (DK Books), "Wicked Dead" with Thomas Pendleton (Harper Collins) and the young adult fiction title, Teen Inc. (Walker Books for Young Readers). His latest hardcover, “The Rule of Won,” was published in September 2008 to rave reviews.

Rob Vollmar is a writer of and about comics and Manga from Norman, Oklahoma. He writes commentary and reviews for magazines like The Comics Journal and World Literature as well as having authored Manga columns such as “The Occidental Tourist” (Ninth Art) and “International Geographic” (Comic Book Galaxy). He is the author of “Bluesman” and “The Castaways” for NBM Publishing.

Jim Salicrup started at fifteen under Stan Lee at Marvel Comics, eventually becoming editor of their flagship Spider-Man line of comic books where he relaunched the character in a bold new look that proved extremely popular, with artist Todd MacFarlane (Spawn). Hired away by Topps, he founded their comic book line based on licensed properties, showing a great nose by snatching X-Files, Xena, and Hercules long before they became great hits. He is on the board of trustees of the New York Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA).

Tim Smith 3 has drawn comics for Marvel, DC Comics, Tokyopop, and Zuda. He has illustrated all of Thomas Donnelly’s adventures and mishaps in “Tales From the Crypt.”

Rick Parker’s artwork has been seen in the New York Times, Village Voice, The NY Press, The Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, on 60 Minutes, CNN, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Nickelodeon Magazine, Cracked, and in millions of MTV's Beavis and Butt-Head Comic Books worldwide.

The Ghoulunatics – The Vault-Keeper, the Old Witch, and everyone’s favorite, The Crypt-Keeper are back to offer their twisted takes on “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” the “Twilight”series, and Guitar Hero! The cover-featured Stinky Dead Kid stars in two tales - - one that explains exactly how he became a Stinky Dead Kid, and another in which he battles “Guitar Demon,” a popular musical toy that’s become possessed by an evil entity. There’s also the trenchant tale of teen love involving a girl and a vampire, “Dielite,” and the riotous return of the ever-doomed Thomas Donnelly in his most bizarre tale yet!

School Library Journal

Gr 6–9—The Crypt-Keeper and his gruesome group return. Two stories are devoted to Glugg, who has cartoon adventures just like Jeff Kinney's Greg Heffley, except that Glugg is dead with flies buzzing around his head. It is a "dead-on" Kinney impersonation, complete with an obnoxious older brother, "Rock." The third selection, "DieLite," is a parody of Twilight with a loser, lovesick "Dedward" and the further adventures of Thomas Donnelly. It is a moody, dramatic piece. Readers will enjoy seeing what befalls these familiar characters in these twisted tales.—Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Kearns Library, UT