In a world of unknown creatures, King Cryptid stands alone. Betrayed and cursed nearly 500 years ago, the man once known as Krowan was transformed into the creature now called King Cryptid.

 

Since then, he has wandered the Earth, seeking redemption while protecting the innocent from both man and monster. King Cryptid’s powers are at their peak on the night of a full moon, and they’re at their lowest on the night of a new moon. In the hidden reaches of the White Mountains of New Hampshire, he found a measure of peace, until a deadly new threat emerged, one that blends dark magic with corrupt science and reignites an ancient battle for humanity, the planet, and the very universe itself. 

Issues #5–9 of King Cryptid continue the story with even more energy and depth, taking readers on a journey through some of New England’s most iconic and atmospheric locations, like the icy peaks of Mount Washington, the rugged cliffs of Franconia, and the quiet woods surrounding Jackson, New Hampshire. Each setting brings with it a unique cryptid encounter, grounded in regional folklore and mystery.

As the series progresses, it not only delivers thrilling monster showdowns but also adds layers to the overarching lore and emotional development of the characters. These issues are structured as standalone adventures, meaning each one tells a self-contained story, but together, they build a much larger and richer mythological world. The combination of episodic tension and broader narrative arcs keeps the series engaging for both new readers and longtime fans.

 

 THE CREATIVE TEAM

As you all may already know, this young adult monster adventure series was created by Alterna Comics founder and publisher, Peter Simeti. Peter Simeti continues as writer and letterer, maintaining continuity in tone and narrative. The rotating interior artists who bring fresh energy to each issue are the following:

• Issue 5: Nic Hunter (art), Kristian Rossi (color)
• Issue 6: Frankie B. Washington
• Issue 7: Nic Hunter
• Issue 8: Aleks Jovic
• Issue 9: Keir Covington (art), Kristian Rossi (color)

The rotating cover artists for issues #5 through #9 are the following:

• Issue 5: Nic Hunter (front), Geoff Elkins (back), Kristian Rossi (front & back color)
• Issue 6: Frankie B. Washington(front), Preston Asevedo (back)
• Issue 7: Nic Hunter
• Issue 8: Aleks Jovic
• Issue 9: Keir Covington (art), Kristian Rossi (color)

This approach blends visual diversity with a cohesive authorial voice, ensuring each story feels uniquely tailored to its creature and locale.

 

THE BOOKS

Each issue remains a 32-page comic, alternating between full color and black & white, chosen to enhance thematic tone. Published in high-quality newsprint format by Alterna Comics, these issues maintain affordability and accessibility, as we’ve seen in EYES ON KING CRYPTID PART 1 Part 1.

 

THE STORIES

Issue 5 – White Mountain Blizzard Battle!

Dr. Karroll and her team bring a scientific curiosity to the cryptid chase as they ascend the treacherous Mount Washington, where a hulking Yeti has left destruction in its wake. The action is swift, and the terrain unforgiving, but it’s the intersection between cryptozoology and fear that gives this issue its weight.

 

Issue 6 – Night terror!

A winged humanoid dragon kidnaps three people and perches atop New Hampshire’s iconic Old Man of the Mountain. Without the full moon, King Cryptid is vulnerable and must rely on a surprising ally.

 

Issue 7 – Hunter’s Moon

Jackson, New Hampshire, becomes the setting for another emotionally charged encounter, this time with a mysterious man whose werewolf wife has been captured by a government task force. The line between human and monster continues to blur, and the story reveals more about the world’s fear of the unknown and its consequences.

 

Issue 8 – Halloween Special

Set three years after the events of Issue #1, this story reconnects us with Eric, Jeff, Linda, and Ernie. But this is no nostalgic reunion; something has been stalking them ever since their last brush with King Cryptid. The Halloween 1987 backdrop enhances the sense of unease, and it’s an eerie reflection on the past that doesn’t stay buried.

 

Issue 9 – The problem with Pukwudgies

Mischief turns malicious when King Cryptid is ambushed by shapeshifting Pukwudgies hoping to impress their “father.” Outnumbered, wounded, and doubting his own perception, he’s thrust into a nightmare of illusions.

If you enjoyed the first four issues, King Cryptid #5–9 is a worthy continuation. Each issue delivers a tightly crafted, standalone adventure filled with striking visuals and emotional depth. With new creatures, heightened tension, and a growing connection to both human and cryptid characters, these issues raise the stakes while expanding the world in meaningful ways.

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

One of the standout features of King Cryptid continues to be its rotating lineup of talented artists, each bringing their own flair to the storytelling. This variety in art style keeps the series visually dynamic and perfectly tailored to the mood of each chapter.

 

ART AND COLORS

Issues #5, #8, and #9 are printed in full color, giving those stories a bold, cinematic look that makes the action and suspense feel more intense. Meanwhile, issues #6 and #7 are in black and white, which gives them an old-school horror vibe, like classic monster comics or pulp stories, full of shadow, mood, and mystery.

Peter Simeti and his team do a great job mixing things up visually while still keeping the overall tone of the series consistent. The switch between color and black and white isn’t just for style; it helps match the feeling of each story. Whether it’s about fear, chaos, mystery, or nostalgia, the artwork supports and strengthens the mood. This careful attention to how the stories look makes each one stand out and helps every creature encounter feel memorable.

 

THE STORIES

The stories themselves expand on the cryptid mythos while grounding the narratives in very human themes.

Issue #5 – The Terror of Mount Washington

Issue #5 introduces a chilling encounter with a violent Yeti, pushing Dr. Karroll and her team into a dangerous expedition where scientific curiosity meets primal terror.

Nic Hunter’s art balances clarity with atmospheric dread, and the full-color treatment injects the issue with vibrancy befitting a classic monster encounter. This issue feels like a cryptid procedural, think Expedition Unknown meets Hellboy.

 

Issue #6 – Old Man of the Mountain

Issue #6 introduces a humanoid dragon and an unlikely alliance under a hidden full moon, offering an eerie, high-stakes story about survival and strange partnerships.

The absence of color adds a pulp feel that suits the dramatic tension, while the story blends ancient myth with modern peril. It’s a tale of survival and trust, both of which are in short supply on this harrowing climb. The art style in this issue is my least favorite of the series so far; it didn’t quite click with me, though I can see how it might be someone else’s cup of tea.

 

Issue #7 – The Jackson Incident

In issue #7, the tone shifts to emotional urgency as King Cryptid is drawn into a deeply personal plea for help, rescuing a werewolf wife captured by authorities. The story raises questions about acceptance, fear of the unknown, and how easily humanity turns on what it doesn’t understand.

Nic Hunter returns with linework that conveys sorrow and suspense in equal measure. Simeti writes with restraint, letting grief and desperation drive the tension. A standout issue for character-driven storytelling.

 

Issue #8 – Halloween Haunting

By issue #8, the past catches up with a group of teenagers who first encountered King Cryptid years earlier. Set on Halloween night in 1987, it weaves coming-of-age nostalgia with supernatural tension, as something sinister stalks the group long after their first brush with the unknown.

Aleks Jovic’s expressive art taps into the creeping dread of being watched. With vibrant color and a slower build, this issue plays like a cryptid-themed slasher film with heart.

 

Issue #9 – Pukwudgie’s Game

Issue #9 introduces mischievous shapeshifters, the Pukwudgies, who ambush and capture King Cryptid in a disorienting confrontation where even his senses betray him. This story, filled with trickery and vulnerability, taps into deeper themes of identity and trust.

Keir Covington’s art is vivid and chaotic, perfectly echoing the disorientation of the narrative. Rossi’s colors amplify the confusion, creating a dizzying tension between reality and trickery. The first panel/page is my favorite thus far, following the first panel in issues #7,6, and 5. The issue is a psychological gauntlet that shows even a king can be hunted.

 

ENGAGEMENT

Across these issues, the emotional stakes grow more complex. We see recurring themes of familial bonds, loyalty, memory, and redemption. Whether it’s a cryptid defending its territory, a desperate plea to reunite loved ones, or lingering trauma from past encounters, these stories consistently layer heart and meaning beneath the monster-of-the-week surface.

 

Meaningful storytelling

What makes King Cryptid particularly compelling is its careful balance between thrilling creature feature action and heartfelt character exploration. It’s a series that delivers spectacle and introspection in equal measure, appealing to fans of both monster comics and meaningful storytelling.

 

Continuity

What I appreciate most about the series so far is its sense of continuity. Each issue includes references to events from previous ones, which adds extra depth and makes the story even more engaging for me. While it’s definitely possible to enjoy each issue as a standalone adventure if you overlook those callbacks, for someone like me, those connections make the overall reading experience much richer.

 

Mail to the King

To top it off, each issue features a fun bonus section, “Mail to the King,” where readers can send their King Cryptid-inspired art and their letters for King Cryptid himself. After reading the first four issues, I decided to send a few letters, not really expecting a reply, since it’s not exactly easy (or safe) to reach King Cryptid in his remote location. But somehow, Pete managed to get them to him. How awesome is that?

 

THE CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN

The crowdfunding campaign for issues 5 to 9 was on the Indiegogo campaign and on Alterna’s website in 2023. The advantage of browsing through the website is that you can order more items, including those that are on sale on the website.  From the campaign, in addition to the physical copies, I also ordered the Series 2 Trading Card Pack.

Alterna ran a Kickstarter campaign in early 2025 to catch up on issues #1–9, offering trading cards and digital extras. Issues #10–13 are currently live on Indiegogo and Alterna’s site. Crowdfunding remains a core strategy, pre-ordering and bundle incentives before wider release, allowing fans to support directly and access rare editions.

 

CUSTOMER SERVICES AND DELIVERY

Updates on the campaign were regularly provided so backers know the progress and the challenges to reach to finish line. Pete is one of the few creators that I listen to regularly, as he discusses interesting topics and interviews interesting people. He’s one of those creators that you’ll rarely see participating in drama, focuses on the job to be done, and that is much appreciated.

The items arrived in great condition and were thoughtfully and creatively packaged. Inside the bundle were the five comic issues, along with a trading card pack featuring five cards, among them, cover cards for issues #6 to #9, a Victor Lugo “Power Profiles” card, and a King Cryptid sticker. I also received additional cards for Behemoth and King Cryptid #1.

The extras included a mini print of issue #7’s cover, a sturdy King Cryptid-themed cardboard bookmark, Victor Lugo’s special access ID card, a “Live Free and Indie” sticker, a matching cardboard bookmark, a flyer promoting the campaign for issues #10–13, and a personalized thank you note.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

With issues #5–9, King Cryptid confidently deepens its mythos while maintaining its signature blend of monster mayhem and grounded emotional storytelling. The series continues to stand out not just for its ever-expanding bestiary of creatures and cryptids, but also for the way it connects these tales to very human fears, relationships, and dilemmas.

Whether it’s a snowbound Yeti confrontation, a werewolf rescue mission, or a surreal run-in with shapeshifting Pukwudgies, each issue offers a self-contained adventure that feeds into a greater narrative tapestry, a feat not easily accomplished in episodic comics.

Alterna Comics delivers a product that’s affordable, good-quality, and packed with collector-worthy extras, making it a rewarding experience for readers and backers alike. If you’re looking for a comic series that combines cryptid lore, classic monster thrills, and heartfelt character arcs, all wrapped in a nostalgic yet innovative format, King Cryptid is more than worth your attention.

With issues #10–13 currently crowdfunding, now is the perfect time to dive in and catch up. Whether you’re new to the series or a returning fan, there’s something powerful and timeless about this cursed protector of New England’s forgotten legends. You can find all the published issues on the Alterna Comics website.

 

Curious about King Cryptid #1-4? Check EYES ON KING CRYPTID PART 1

Want to read the first pages of King Cryptid #1? Check it here

For more interesting titles, check COMIC BOOKS under the “EYES ON” series I documented my experience with crowdfunding entertainment and shared my notes on the products I received.

 

My notes are all set. Let me know what you think.

See you on the next page!