Cereal: Sweet Darkness (Cereal #1) by Mark Russell, art by Peter Snejbjerg, Angelica Ingio, Ole Comoll, and Rob Steen

Ahoy Comics, 2023

ISBN-13: 9781952090271

Available: Paperback

Buy: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com

The Marquis de Cocoa, a newly turned vampire, insists on continuing a tradition for the villagers in his township in order to conceal his condition. He faces sunrise, as long as he can bear it, to host his popular breakfast parties. If he does not, he fears the people he has come to know and love over the decades will turn on him and punish him for the deaths that have occurred recently. With his faithful wife by his side, this morning’s breakfast festivities begin with a few rather recognizable characters. We have the Barrie family with sons, Franken and Beau, in tow, the latter being quite fond of blueberries. There is a rather dapper looking captain with a handlebar moustache and wearing a perfectly coifed powdered wig. When the Marquis’ rival, the Duc L’Orang, arrives the marquis attempts to outlast his guest lest he discover his secret affliction. Lady Cocoa pardons herself to weep in the hall, and the duke is quick to join her, attempting to strike a deal with her to rid her of her sadness, and help the marquis with his problem. What the smarmy duke doesn’t realize is how loyal she is to her husband until she meets L’Orang at the awaiting carriage and devours him after she has been turned herself. This is only the first chapter of the book.

Further chapters give us the tragic origin of Franken Barrie; the story of the Leprechaun King’s much desired crown, adorned with emblems representing the four wisdoms; the vengeful ghost who executes the wearer if they do not respect the wisdoms; and more. Political intrigue runs throughout, as well as depictions of numerous cereal mascots, including Snap, Crackle, and Pop, The Brute, Toucan Sam, and so many others. Seeing the Honey Smacks cereal mascot as a gravedigger was great.

Cereal collects chapters that were originally published in the Edgar Allan Poe’s Snifter of Terror anthology and includes three new tales. While clearly satire, Cereal: Sweet Darkness spins suspenseful tales with deeply tragic and interesting characters. I find myself wanting more of these stories. Writer Mark Russell authored the satirical Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, which reimagined the Hanna-Barbera cartoon character as a gay playwright during the era of McCarthyism. It was well done, so trust that Russell presents a great story here as well.

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker