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'{{Infobox comics character <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics--> |character_name= Haunt |image=Haunt.jpg |imagesize = 200 |converted=y |caption=Promotional art for ''Haunt'' #2. Art by Todd McFarlane. |publisher=[[Image Comics]] |debut= |issues= 2 (as of November 2009) |creators=[[Todd McFarlane]]<br/> [[Robert Kirkman]] |alter_ego = |full_name = Daniel Kilgore and Kurt Kilgore |species = |homeworld =<!-- optional --> |alliances= <!-- optional --> |partners = <!-- optional --> |aliases = <!-- optional --> |supports =<!--optional--> |powers= }} '''''Haunt''''' is a [[fictional]] [[comic book]] character who appears in a self-titled [[ongoing series]] created by [[Todd McFarlane]] and [[Robert Kirkman]], launched by [[Image Comics]] on October 7, 2009.<ref name="solicits"> {{cite web | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22308 | title=Image Solicitations, October 2009 | publisher=''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' | date= 2009-07-29 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> The comic is written by Kirkman with layouts done by [[Greg Capullo]], pencils by [[Ryan Ottley]], and inks by McFarlane.<ref> {{cite web | last=Brady | first=Matt | url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090206-nycc09-image-comics.html | title=NYCC '09 - Image Comics Panel | publisher=[[Newsarama]] | date= 2009-02-07 | accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> ''Haunt'' is a story about Daniel Kilgore, a Catholic priest, who is haunted by the ghost of his estranged brother Kurt, a murdered secret agent. The brothers combine to form a [[superhero]].<ref name="ugo"> {{cite web | last=Rosa | first=Rene | url=http://movieblog.ugo.com/movies/todd-mcfarlanes-haunt-sdcc-preview-book-first-look | title=Todd McFarlane and Robert Kirkman's ''Haunt'' SDCC Preview Book First Look | publisher=[[UGO Networks|UGO Entertainment]] | date= 2009-07-09 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> ==Overview== In a 2008 interview with [[Newsarama]], Kirkman explained that the initial storyline in ''Haunt'' deals with Kurt trying to solve his own murder.<ref name="newsarama08"> {{cite web | last=Rogers | first=Vaneta | url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080703-WWCKirkman.html | title=WWC: Robert Kirkman | publisher=[[Newsarama]] | date= 2008-07-03 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> In February 2009 at [[New York Comic-Con]], Kirkman provided an overview of the series:{{cquote |The main basis of the story is that there are two brothers who have hated each other for a good long time and are now forced to interact because one of them has died and is haunting the other. It's a big action extravaganza from there on out.<ref> {{cite web | last=Phegley | first=Kiel | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19908 | title=NYCC: Kirkman & McFarlane Mix Heroes & Horror With ''Haunt'' | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-02-06 | accessdate=2009-08-10}}</ref>}} ==Background and creation== During a Q&A session at the 2006 [[San Diego Comic-Con International|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.<ref> {{cite web | last=Rogers | first=Vaneta | url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080808-McFarlanebooks.html | title=Todd McFarlane: Back to the (Comic) Books | publisher=[[Newsarama]] | date= 2008-08-08 | accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> 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 (comics)|Spawn]]."<ref name="comicon06"> {{cite web | last=Khouri | first=Andy | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7666 | title=CCI, Day 3: McFarlane Vs Kirkman? | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2006-07-22 | accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> He added, "I do have some ideas, but I can only spread myself so thin."<ref name="comicon06" /> Fellow panelist [[Brian Haberlin]] finally told McFarlane that the audience member was Kirkman.<ref name="comicon06" /> After exchanging jokes, McFarlane asked Kirkman if he would be interested in collaborating on a project, to which Kirkman agreed.<ref name="newsarama08" /><ref name="comicon06" /> 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.<ref> {{cite web | last=Phillips | first=Dan | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/809/809734p1.html | title=SDCC 07: McFarlane Returns to Comics - Sort Of | publisher=[[IGN]] | date= 2007-07-31 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | last=Soponis | first=Trevor | url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6497519.html | title=Robert Kirkman: Hardest Working Writer in Comics? | publisher=''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' ([[Reed Business Information]]) | date= 2007-11-05 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> In July 2008, however, Kirkman explained that the book had been delayed due to artist trouble.<ref name="newsarama08" /> This was prior to the announcement that Ottley and Capullo were joining the art team. Kirkman also confirmed that McFarlane would draw covers for the series.<ref> {{cite web | last=Wigler | first=Josh | url=http://www.wizarduniverse.com/103008kirkman3.html | title=Robert Kirkman: On Time in '09 | publisher=''[[Wizard (magazine)|Wizard]]'' ([[Wizard Entertainment]]) | date= 2008-10-30 | accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> In February 2009, Image provided a series of teaser images to [[Comic Book Resources]] featuring the first artwork for ''Haunt''.<ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=19852 | title=McFarlane & Kirkman Team on ''Haunt'' | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-02-04 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20034 | title=Exclusive ''Haunt'' Art by Ryan Ottley | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-02-12 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref><ref> {{cite web | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=20108 | title=Exclusive: ''Haunt'' Teaser #3 | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-02-19 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> 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.<ref name="solicits" /> McFarlane has shouldered the blame for the delays,<ref> {{cite web | last=Wigler | first=Josh | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22490 | title=CCI: Kirkmania | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-08-11 | accessdate=2009-08-12}}</ref> 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."<ref name="TMquote"> {{cite web | last=Wigler | first=Josh | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22223 | title=CCI Exclusive: Kirkman and McFarlane on ''Haunt'' | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date= 2009-07-25 | accessdate=2009-08-09}}</ref> 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."<ref name="TMquote" /> In July, a limited edition, 16-page preview book debuted at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.<ref name="ugo" /> ==Issue 1== Priest '''Daniel Kilgore''' is far from an exemplary person or "servant of god." Daniel visits a prostitute regularly,  smokes, curses, despises his brother among other bad habits. Daniel hates his brother '''Kurt''' but agrees to see him only during confession. Kurt leads a life of murder and espionage, he works for an organization that provides him with targets and objectives which usually call for blood shed. Even though he is a killer Kurt tries to be a good person and do what is right (while on an important mission he killed the scientist he was to rescue because he was doing cruel painful experiments on people that leads to deformities he then lead the survivors of the experiments to freedom). Daniel listens to his brothers confession but hurries him and does not even give him penance because he does not care. Daniel leads a life of self loathing and considers his life miserable and Kurt realizes he is unhappy and their mom is concerned. Daniel says he only sees Kurt so no other "poor Priest does not have to carry the burden of my brothers sins," and “outside that confessional your dead to me”. Kurt is later killed by either people in his own organization or a competitor but after the funeral Daniel is visited by the ghost of Kurt. Kurt begs Daniel to visit his wife '''Amanda''' because she is in danger because the people that killed him will go for her next but Daniel selfishly refuses to do anything Kurt asks but he finally agrees when his mother is mentioned. Their "conversation" reveals Daniel's hatred for Kurt probably began with Kurt's wife Amanda, Kurt asks for Daniel to put aside whatever is between the two of them and her. Daniel says that “I quit caring about her a long time ago... you made sure of it”. Daniel begins to freak out since he thinks he is talking to his dead brother but thinks he is only imagining him because deep down he wants to see Amanda. Daniel arrives at Amanda's where they share and awkward cup of coffee and as he goes to leave Amanda asks him to stay because she can only sleep with the aid of sleeping pills and does not want to be alone. While sleeping on the couch Daniel is awoken by his brother telling him to get Amanda out but he does not listen because he thinks he is imagining him because “some stupid part of me misses you”. They then hear something at the door which turns out to be armed men Daniel then screams at them telling them to leave but as they go to fire at him Kurt instinctively tries to push him out of the way but ends up going inside him which created Haunt.  When the two united Daniel is overwhelmed, his eyes begin to glow and a white and black substance began flowing from his mouth, eye sockets, nose and ears. The substance stopped the bullets and covered his entire body. He leaped at the two intruders and swiftly and easily decapitated them. Daniel and Kurt are inside one body and "share" control. ==Secrets revealed Issue 2== Daniel is absolutely shocked by his actions but seems to be in control as Kurt tells him to go to the window and before Daniel can ask why, Kurt has them leap out the high raise window in search of the others looking for Amanda. they find them and Kurt's fighting skills take over but Daniel "fights" Kurt so he does not have complete control. (They still bicker at each other when they are fused) after killing the men Daniel does not know what to do but Kurt instructs him to call a "cleaner."  The cleaner arrives to dispose of the bodies and evidence but first throws Daniel into the wall asking how he got his number and it turns out the cleaner was vary close with Kurt and “was like a brother to [him]”. Amanda awakes to a spotless apartment and shares another awkward conversation she wanted to take him to breakfast but she was late to work.  As Daniel leaves to go back to the church Kurt begs him to keep looking out for Amanda in case she is still in danger. Daniel refuses thinking he had done enough and he did not like what happened, he hates both them and it was hard to see her again. (this argument causing many people to turn). Daniel arrives at church to apologize for another night away but the father he was talking to is dead. He finds his colleague gutted he then is confronted by the attacker, a man from Kurt's past named '''Cobra'''. Kurt had followed Dan and in an instant the two fuse in order to fight Cobra. The two brothers bickering confuses Cobra but the fight ends when Daniel/ Kurt slip in blood and by the time he was back on his feet his new enemy had disappeared. Kurt tells Daniel whether he likes it or not he is involved and of course Dan is livid so Kurt has him go to a safe house since Amanda is safe at work. At the house Kurt leads him to the bedroom closet where he reveals a secret elevator that takes him to the headquarters of where Kurt used to work. The elevator is one of eight entrances to the HQ and after going down eight stories Daniel is greeted by Kurt's old co workers. The group of people have Daniel surrounded as they aim weapons at him. Daniel is warned by Kurt not to make any sudden movements but Dan ask for help but he ends up getting shot with a tranquilizer dart. ==Issue 3== Dan wakes up in a prison cell with Kurt at his side but they are not alone in the cell, several homeless Bolivians are being held there as well. The homeless Bolivians that were subjected to Dr. Shillingers in the cell are only a few of the group that Kurt saved on his last assignment (issue #1) (but those being held somewhere else in the facility  are much worse or dead). A crazed Bolivian woman tells Daniel she sees his brothers spirit next to him and she is the first to call them "Haunt." She explains that their blood keeps them connected and instead of passing on completely and letting his essence move on Kurt became spiritually tethered to Daniel. Daniel's spirit is somehow protecting Kurt from the other realm to which he should have passed on to. She ends her speech by saying, "Haunt. That is what you are. You keep this one here. His life depends on you.  But I think, very soon...your life will depend on HIM." Daniel is then questioned by Kurt's former associates Director Santz (it is said he only comes in if its a bid deal, normally assistant director Rhodes handles issues of this nature) and Beth Tosh, they have kept tabs on Daniel for a long time, they know about his frequent visits to a prostitute and that he killed multiple assailants and then called a cleaner. They want to know how he got in the top secret facility and how he knew how to contact the cleaner so Kurt advises him to tell them everything, so Daniel starts with the missing notebook of Dr. Shillinger and how Kurt "helped" him kill the intruders. Of course  Beth does not believe this an punches him in the face, he then is escorted back to the brig so he can finally get some sleep but he is paid a visit. Kurt screams and tries to wake his brother up while a man injects him with a sedative to take him and get answers but Dan only wakes up when Kurt makes him transform into Haunt. The man is actually the freelance agent who killed Kurt, but he was not the person who had it ordered. Of course his transformations and death of the mystery guest at the hands of Danel\Kurt in the main hall of the HQ draws attention to the agents and again have their weapons trained on him, as Dan finally succumbs to the sedative. He again is questioned by Beth and Santz this time he is not punched but they still do not believe him. Beth requests proof Kurt is with Daniel so Kurt has Daniel say "Autumn Leaves," this shocks Beth and she begin to cry as she leaves the room. Daniel is furious with Kurt because he assumed Kurt had an affair with Beth and before Kurt can explain himself Daniel breaks down and begins screaming at Kurt. Daniel accuses Kurt of stealing Amanda and tells him how much he loved her, how special she was to him and happy they were but Kurt took her even though he could have had any woman and said Kurt was not even happy. Daniel tries punching Kurt's ghost, (obviously not hitting him), saying "You ruined my life!" "...she was MY Amanda." He repeatedly screams "we were happy" until he cries too hard to finish his sentences and recoils in a corner of the interrogation room.  (This proves Daniel began to hate his brother because of Kurt's relationship with Amanda and that is probably why Daniel hates his life, hates himself and is genuinely miserable). While Beth, now begging to believe Daniel, and Director Santz watch Daniel and wait for Assistant Director Rhodes who is actually just arriving at the location to enter the facility. It is revealed Rhodes is the one in charge of  the investigation into Kurt's murder, (she is actually the person who gave the orders to kill Kurt if he did not know anything about Dr. Shillinger's missing note book) (issue #1) . As she exits her vehicle she is actually talking to her boss on the phone, the man pulling the strings and searching for the doctors notebook. Their short conversation reveals she is betraying the agency, provided access to the facility for the interrogator to drug then kidnap Daniel and she spoke to Cobra (issue #2) after he tried getting answers from Daniel.     ==Weakness Revealed..... Issue 4== After Kurt and Daniel "make up,",  Stantz shows Daniel one of the Bolivians Kurt rescued on his final mission; a young mutated boy. The little boy has the strength of 10 men and the odd growths on portions of his body feel no pain. Shillinger had been attempting to reanimate dead cells in cadavers, eventually he secretly began experimenting on living people to grant immortality or an extension of life after seeing the deformities Shillinger caused is why Kurt killed the doctor. While Amanda Kilgore is brought into protective custody their vehicle is attacked. The agents are killed and Amanda is taken, upon seeing this Daniel transforms to Haunt and rushes to save her. Using an agency car Stantz guides Haunt to Amanda's location while the chase occurs Daniel and Kurt's finally have an agreement, Daniel will try to let Kurt take over to kill all of the assailants. They crash through to where Amanda is being held then killing multiple men guarding her but after freeing her and telling her to run Haunt is attacked by Cobra, again. While the two men grapple Kurt mentions Daniel is actually helping him and that he is getting the hang of their abilities. Shortly into the fight Daniel starts to become slower and weaker but does not know why. Kurt apologizes for getting Daniel into their current predicament because in Daniel's weakened condition Kurt can not stop Cobra. As Cobra lunges for the final kill in a last ditch effort Haunt hits Cobra in the face with a bladed tendril, which luckily causes him a critical injury and retreats. Amanda, (who of course did not run), is barely able to help keep her savior on his feet until the agency arrives to which Haunt says, "Help.." and passes out. Daniel wakes in the medical wing of the HQ a doctor advises him to rest because Daniel was suffering from severely low blood sugar and iron and he was not  absorbing enough oxygen through his lungs.  Though his body was returning to normal, the suit is what had been draining him and the doctor advised against long term use. Though devastating to his health Dan still intended on being Haunt. ==Issue 5== The Agency receives an anonymous tip about the sale of the notebook, possibly to the people responsible for Kurt's death. Director Stantz is worried about Dan's health due to the suit's affect on him and refuses to let them go but Kurt lashes out and has Dan inform him that they are going. it is discovered the tip came from an ex-agent known as '''Mirage''' who Kurt was apparently close to. Kurt refuses to reveal how they are connected even after multiple inquiries made by Dan. The exchange is to occur at a mall, the sale is to be between Mirage and an unknown buyer. While observing Mirage at the mall they see the buyer, a man Kurt does not even recognize Mirage refers to as '''Hurg'''.  The two know one another and Hurg is aware that Mirage alerted her ex-employer and once the sale occurs they are surrounded by agents and Hurgs gun men. To Dans surprise Kurt goes to protect Mirage rather than pursue Hurg, since Kurt has said she is not important. Once Mirage is safe and able to escape they pursue Hurg but the confrontation does not go too well. Dan is shot in the side at close range by one of Hurgs security women and unable to breathe allowing Hurg to escape but without the notebook, which Dan recovered.  Back at medical wing at the Agency Dan is treated for broken ribs, (meaning they are not as invulnerable as once thought). Dan eventually gets Kurt to reveal his relationship with Mirage after realizing he had an affair with her too. Kurt explains he loved Mirage and they had planned on having a life together. Their plan revolved around Kurt's final mission, she was to recover the notebook after he rescued Shillinger. They were going to sell the notebook in order to quit working for people like the agency. Daniel of course was angered to hear this because of his feeling for Amanda  and Kurt knew this. Kurt could not understand why Dan was so angry at him but each began to understand when Kurt said if Dan “loved Amanda as much as i love Mirage then...i’m sorry”. While this happened Assistant Director Rhodes is revealed as a double agent. While she looked at the notebook she is overheard by Director Stantz who she kills. Tosh attempts to initiate a lock down but an explosion destroys the headquarters. Haunt rushes in but finds Tosh in tears while cradling Stantz body, she is worried that Rhodes betrayal is part of something bigger.   Dan later meets with acting Director Tosh days after the explosion. They had still not found Rhodes or Hurg and fear she was a mole the entire time she was there. She explains that due to Kurt's importance and Dans budding potential she has him join the Agency officially and hands him a agency card. She plans having him trained to perform better and gain a better sense of control and balance as Haunt. Dan looking at the past few days and seeing how much his life has changed and pondering the opportunities this card holds Dan finally smiles.   ==Reception== ===Sales=== Less than a week before the release of ''Haunt'' #1, online [[columnist]] [[Rich Johnston]] reported that comic book retailers [[pre-order]]ed nearly 60,000 copies of the first issue, which is more than a typical issue of ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (comic book)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]''.<ref name="TMquote"> {{cite web | last=Johnston | first=Rich | url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2009/10/01/kirkman-and-mcfarlanes-haunt-gets-60000-orders/ | title=Exclusive: Kirkman And McFarlane’s Haunt Hoovers Up 60,000 Orders | publisher=Bleeding Cool | date=2009-10-01 | accessdate=2009-10-06}}</ref> ===Reviews=== ''Haunt'' #1 has 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."<ref name="playback"> {{cite web | last=Green | first=Jason | url=http://www.playbackstl.com/content/view/9085/167/ | title=Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane and Invincible/Walking Dead Writer Robert Kirkman team up to Create Image's latest Horror-Tinged Hero | publisher=Playback:stl | date=2009-10-02 | accessdate=2009-10-06}}</ref> Green praised each of the book's creators, saying that they "mesh perfectly."<ref name="playback" /> 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."<ref> {{cite web | last=Schedeen | first=Jesse | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/103/1030285p1.html | title=Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane Debut a New Supernatural Anti-Hero | publisher=Playback:stl | date=2009-09-30 | accessdate=2009-10-06}}</ref> 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."<ref name="cbrreview"> {{cite web | last=Nevett | first=Chad | url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=1452 | title=CBR Reviews - ''Haunt'' #1 | publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=2009-10-04 | accessdate=2009-10-06}}</ref> 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]]."<ref name="cbrreview" /> ==Notes== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://www.spawn.com/comics/series.aspx?series_id=44 Official minisite] at Spawn.com * {{comicbookdb|type=title|id=24598|title=''Haunt''}} * [http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=3526&disp=table 10-page preview of ''Haunt'' #1] at [[Comic Book Resources]] {{Todd McFarlane}} [[Category:Image Comics characters]] [[Category:2009 comic debuts]] [[Category:Image Comics titles]] [[Category:Comics by Robert Kirkman]] [[Category:Characters created by Todd McFarlane]]'