Home » Posts tagged "graphic novel review" (Page 13)

Graphic Novel Review: Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781427606754

Available: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

A mysterious girl, Jenny Finn, arrives in Victorian England and leaves death, destruction, and a strange curse in her wake. There is a plague causing gruesome lesions in the crooked streets of London. Joe, a slaughterhouse worker, aims to find out what’s going on in his city. When the pursuit of his investigation leads him to Jenny, Joe is attacked by a religious zealot named Hornsbee who attempts to kill her, and has a number of strange and disturbing encounters: a serial murderer bent on wiping out the “ladies of the night” is loose, the ghosts of the murdered women roam the streets, and mutated half-human, half-fish people devote themselves to Jenny Finn. Pippa Platt, who clearly loves the oblivious Joe, takes him to a séance to see if a group of spiritualists can help him track down Jenny and what is happening in the town.

I liked this story for several reasons. The Lovecraftian tone and the Victorian setting were essential elements for this kind of tale. The griminess of old London and themes of punishment, forgiveness, and doom are exactly what I like in my horror. The art for this volume fits with the story well. Sequential art that includes body horror has always been a draw for me. The hybrid humans in particular are interesting in these pages.

While Jenny Finn does not compare to the Hellboy mythos, it is an interesting tale with great artwork. If you enjoy Lovecraftian tones, Victorian settings, and body horror, this would make a nice addition to your collection.

Recommended

Contains: body horror, nudity, implied rape, sex

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 10, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol.4: 1955 by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson, illustrated by Shawn Martinbrough (Secret Nature), Brian Churilla (Occult Intelligence), and Paolo Rivera and Joe Rivera (Burning Season)


Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955 by Mike Mignola and Chris Roberson; art by Shawn Martinbrough (Secret Nature), Brian Churilla (Occult Intelligence), and Paolo Rivera and Joe Rivera (Burning Season)

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781506705965

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

In Hellboy and the B.P.R.D., Vol. 4: 1955, Hellboy and the B.P.R.D hunt down unseen predators and demons, investigate cases of spontaneous combustion, and confront an espionage plot regarding a strange new weapon at an Air Force base where Russian agents want to steal it and the military brass are moving in. The volume collects Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1955 Secret Nature, Occult Intelligence #1-#3, Burning Season, and the 1955 story from the Hellboy Winter Special. Included in this volume is a sketchbook with storyboards, annotations, and more.

Secret Nature addresses some significant themes in this Hellboy volume. Hellboy and Woodrow Farrier, PhD., head to Oregon to investigate sightings of a deadly beast that has been killing livestock and terrorizing farmers in the area. They make a gruesome discovery in a dark cabin: some of the farm boys got ahold of a book of spells and, in making an error in the summoning ritual, let loose the creature that gutted them and has been wreaking havoc on the area farms. Throughout this chapter, Hellboy and Woody talk about the fact that more people are accepting of Hellboy than they are a Black man. Professor Bruttenholm approached him and was willing to take him in and give him a chance. Despite the professor’s trust and respect, and Hellboy’s support and defense, the Bureau is far from perfect. Can Woody and Hellboy banish the creature? Will Hellboy’s disgust of the racist farmers finally get the better of him?

Occult Intelligence has some great moments. Hellboy faces off against a giant oceanic beast that resembles a turtle while Archie Mudaro calls him “kid” the entire time he and the troops are trying to help him fight. Admittedly it was hard for me to remember that technically, the big red lug was still a kid in 1955! I also appreciated the mention of Dimension X. It helps illustrate the time period as it was a popular radio show that ran from 1950-1951. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend it. This story also involves a B.P.R.D agent, Susan Xiang, who finds herself experiencing disturbing visions that may give Hellboy some idea what will happen next.

Burning Season begins with a couple stopping out in the woods to make a pit stop, which results in the wife burning to ashes in front of her husband. As the B.P.R.D. investigates, it is discovered this isn’t the first mysterious fiery death in Port Orange, Florida. The land holds centuries of pain and anguish, and Hellboy may be the only one who can quench its wrath. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 4, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Harrow County Library Edition Volume 1 by Cullen Bunn, art by Tyler Crook

Harrow County Library Edition Volume 1: by Cullen Bunn, art by Tyler Crook

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781506710648

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

Hester Beck is hung and burned for being a witch on the strange, crooked oak tree that stands on the Crawford farm. Emmy experiences recurring dreams about things under the earth. Emmy always knew that the woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts and monsters. The day before her eighteenth birthday, she learns more than she expected. Emmy discovers secrets her father kept from her, and faces the repercussions of his deception. Through her journey, she uncovers her deeper connection to the creatures in the woods, and to the land itself. Her perceived connection and ability to communicate with them makes her a target by the members of her formerly friendly and loving community.

This is my first delve into Harrow County, and frankly, I am kicking myself for waiting so long to read it. I love Emmy and her desire to live side by side with what the others in her community think are pure evil and dangerous. The reader sees her growth through finding herself and becoming aware of the past of the land and people in her midst, as well as her interaction with the creatures in the woods. Bunn’s storytelling left me wanting more of Emmy’s story—thankfully I have access to the next volume.

It is clear Tyler Crook puts a lot of time and effort into his artwork. Some of his panels are beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Characters’ emotions were palpable. I found myself, upon my second read of the volume, taking the time to really look at the background landscapes and architecture. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Harrow County Library Edition Volume 1. I recommend it to readers who, of course, read graphic novels, but also to readers who like Southern Gothic literature.

Harrow County Library Edition Volume 1 collects the first two volumes, Countless Haints and Twice Told, in a deluxe hardcover and includes essays, sketchbooks, and more. Highly recommended

Contains: blood, execution, gore

 

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on March 22, 2019 by , Reply
First « 1112131415 » Last