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Book Review: Of Foster Homes and Flies by Chad Lutzke

Of Foster Homes and Flies by Chad Lutzke

CreateSpace, 2016

ISBN-13: 978-1535073363

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, Audible audiobook

Fatherless Denny Christopher Newman, age twelve, just wants to win the spelling bee. The only thing that may stand in his way is the death of his often-drunk, neglectful mother, rotting in her recliner, during the beginning of a hot summer in New Orleans. Denny’s only friends are the family dog, Ingrid; his classmate, Carter; and Sam, a carefree girl traveling to the west coast, whose words have a positive effect on young Denny. The story is told through Denny’s perspective, after he finds his abusive mother dead.  Despite their blood ties, he only feels dread that he won’t be able to participate in the spelling bee. She always told him his studying for such a thing was a waste of time, that is was a pointless activity. He sets out to prove her wrong, and do something worthy of making his father proud.

Sitting here writing this review, I can still experience the emotional roller coaster when I think about what he went through from the very first page. The horror comes in subtle ways: in the realization that despite that he will never have to be demeaned by his mother’s words and inaction, her body is decomposing in the living room; the need to make his parents proud of something, anything; recognizing he can’t provide for the family dog but not wanting her to remain in the hot house, overheating and suffering herself; and when he finds his mother’s notebook, with her scrawls and terrible words…I wanted to save Denny from the rest of the story.

My emotions were all over the place reading this novella. At times I empathized with Denny, at others I was Denny. Lutzke is an expert craftsman at getting just the right emotional emphasis at the right time. I don’t know how he does it, but Lutzke is able to tap into that awkward part of childhood for those of us who never quite fit in, who experienced strained relationships at home, and who always tried their damnedest only to be batted off into the corner by a few of the adults in our lives. Highly recommended.

Contains: child neglect, some physical and olfactory description of rot

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Posted on September 28, 2017 by , Reply

Book Review: Aliens/Vampirella by Corinna Beckho, illustrated by Javier Garcia-Miranda


Aliens/Vampirella by Corinna Beckho, illustrated by Javier Garcia-Miranda

Dynamite, 2016

ISBN: 978-1606909911

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, and comiXology ebooks

 

In this graphic novel, the first human colonists on Mars digs into the planet’s soil, only to discover it is an excavation into horror. When they uncover the catacombs of a long-sleeping civilization called the Nosferatu, Vampirella is called to lend her knowledge and abilities to the human colony, although she is looked at with suspicion by the humans. During their venture into the planet, Vampirella and her nearly unwilling allies enter a chamber containing familiar, leathery, pulsing eggs, in the process of hatching. When the crew loses contact with the station above ground, hatred and fear of Vampirella grows on the surface, as the humans overhead think the vampire’s hunger got the better of her….until they learn the truth.

I was very skeptical picking up this comic. Usually I find that merging two franchises together can either be great, or it can be a groan worthy failure. I’m happy to say I found this combination to be creative and well done. Between the artwork and the story, I was entertained from the first page. One of the most interesting parts of this book was seeing the product of a Xenomorph and a vampire. The Xenomorph/vampire hybrid is utterly terrifying.

If you like the Vampirella and Alien franchises, and ever wondered if a crossover could be done, let alone done well, you won’t be disappointed. Recommended.

Contains: blood and gore

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on October 17, 2016 by , Reply

Book Review: Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Graveyard Quest by KC Green

Oni Press, 2016

ISBN: 9781620102893

Available: Kindle edition and comiXology ebook, print

Graveyard Quest follows, well, the Gravedigger, who keeps the bones of his dead mother in a cabinet, and talks to them every moment he can. He is tormented by the ghost of his dead father, the previous Gravedigger, who is frustrated with his son’s inability to get over his mother’s death. One morning, the Gravedigger wakes to find his mother’s bones missing. He ventures to the underworld to try to reclaim them. Along the way, he encounters an unusually helpful mole, a town of worms, and a team of ghost bandits, among others. The Gravedigger’s father follows him, demanding he turn back and do his job, as the bodies are piling up in the graveyard back home.

Will the Gravedigger help the government break into Hell? Will he reclaim the bones of his dead mother? Will his father ever be happy with him? Why is this mole always helping him? And what’s the deal with the ghost bandits wanting to break into Heaven? All of these questions are answered within the pages of this graphic novel, which is hilarious, heart wrenching, and full of adventure. While the language may not be suitable for some children, it may be enjoyable for some young adults, depending on their reading taste. I would be fine with my oldest nephew, who is also a horror fan, reading this.  The artwork is simple, but pretty great. I think my favorite panels involve the worm community. The “reverend” worm is fantastic. Recommended for those who like a little humor in their graphic novels.

Note: Graveyard Quest began as a story arc on Green’s web comic, Gunshow.

Contains: some strong language

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Posted on September 15, 2016 by , Reply
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