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Graphic Novel Review: Falconspeare by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell and Mike Mignola

Falconspeare by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell

Dark Horse Comics, 2022

ISBN-13: 9781506724768

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, comiXology  ( Bookshop.org )

 

Monster hunters extraordinaire Professor Meinhardt, Mr. Knox, and Ms. Van Sloan have investigated and hunted the uncanny before, but now they come together to answer the question that’s haunted them for years: what happened to their friend and notorious vampire slayer, James Falconspeare? 

 

Upon finding their old friend, he tells them of his adventures. After dealing with a werewolf problem, Falconspeare ended up in a community where young people were disappearing, only to be found later dead, the bodies in terrible condition. The people in the community found the police less than helpful, so they turned to Falconspeare for aid.

 

Upon investigation of the bodies, Falconspeare at first believed the victims were killed by a vampire. The incredible vampire hunter, acting under the suspicions of dealing with such a creature, found he was in error. Clues point to Baron Fontin, whose appetites were gossiped about in influential circles, but the baron is no vampire. He is a serial killer. When the vampire hunter approached local authorities to address the situation, no one listens.

 

Out of desperation and frustration, Falconspeare went in search of the Black Docks Biter, a female vampire who lives in the sewers feasting on rats, and ventures out rarely for human blood. Professor Meinhardt, Mr. Knox, and Ms. Van Sloan discover their old friend has done something unthinkable to deal with the human monster that is Baron Fontin. Johnson-Cadwell’s unique art style provides a good accompaniment to the Victoriam tale of terror. 

 

Falconspeare is the third installment of Johnson-Cadwell and Mike Mignola’s series that include the trio of monster hunters, Ms. Van Sloan, Mr. Knox, and Professor J. T. Meinhardt.

Highly recommended

 

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 6, 2022 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Just Beyond: Monstrosity by R. L. Stine, illustrations by Irene Flores, inks by Joana Lafuente

cover art for Just Beyond Monstrosity by R.L. Stine  

Just Beyond: Monstrosity by R. L. Stine, illustrations by Irene Flores, inks by Joana Lafuente

BOOM! Studios, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781684156979

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comixology 

(Bookshop.org |  Amazon.com )



 


 


Ruthie and Ezra Dillon’s father Matthew and uncle Frankie have purchased the old Hollywood movie studio, Monstrosity, known for the best horror flicks of the 1950s. Matthew’s dream is to resurrect the defunct studio and produce modern horror movies with a nostalgic feel. While Poe, an elderly caretaker of the studio, takes the children on a tour of the grounds, the brothers bicker over the financials of running the business.


 


One of the former film directors eventually starts work on new films for Monstrosity, only to be thwarted at every turn. Matthew and Frankie hire on a new studio manager, Eve, to try to get things in order. During one of their excursions on the studio lot, Ruthie and Ezra discover the old animatronic Wolfescreem, as well as others around the place. When the story shows the tale of the creation and potential destruction of the Wolfenscreem automaton, things in the modern day start to get a little more interesting.


 


The story was great and, while it is meant for middle grade readers, adult readers may enjoy the story as well. The graphic novel is fast paced, and made for a good distraction. The artwork is well-done, and the creature designs are reminiscent of those from the classic creature features, but different enough to make them unique. Recommended.


 


 


Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

                        

    

        Posted on  March 2, 2022 by , 
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Graphic Novel Review: Spectre Deep 6 by Jennifer Brody and Jules Rivera

            

                    


Spectre Deep 6 by Jennifer Brody and Jules Rivera


Turner, 2020


ISBN-13: 9781684424139


Available: Hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition ( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com )


 


Spectre Deep 6 tells the story of a diverse team of black ops called “Spectres”, an elite squad of soldiers who died in the line of duty and were reanimated by military scientists as ghosts. Their mission is to carry out various illegal or secret missions for the United States government in exchange for day passes to “haunt” their previous lives. When the team takes care of a target, the victim simply appears to have had a stroke, heart attack, or other naturally caused death. Unfortunately, these missions also exhaust the powers of the Spectre team, rendering them needing “recharge”. The spirits are locked in containment, located in a secret military bunker under Area 51 ((of course) when they are not on duty.


Brody and Rivera include a diverse cast of characters for Spectre Deep 6. Captain Bianca Vasquez was an undercover agent who died as she was searching for her missing husband. Now she is a member of the six-person Spectre squad, and during her day-pass time, haunts her daughter, who is in a foster home as a result of both of her parents being missing or dead. John Song is a sarcastic Asian-American soldier with a volatile temper. The cat-loving Kim Masters is a Black agent who takes no crap. Bart Bartholomew, who was a surfer in his former life, loves video games and deeply misses his best friend… and the feeling is mutual. Kacey Flame is a beautiful pink-haired transgender woman who haunts her old place to keep those who she cared most for out of her old space, in case they can’t accept her for who she wanted to be in life. James Sparks is a Black former aircraft engineer who discovered some nasty secrets his boss was keeping, and which resulted in his death. At times, the teammates most definitely do not get along, as their personalities clash over personal ethics and codes of honor, but they always manage to get the job done. Once Bianca’s missing husband Zane enters the picture, things get more complicated.


The story was a bit slow going at first, but after the first chapter the pace picked up considerably. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy a good sci-fi ghost story. The characters are well-developed in such a short time, and Brody and Rivera devote plenty of space for readers to get a handle on the characters and their motivations. Recommended.


 


Reviewed by Lizzy Walker


Editor’s note: Spectre Deep 6 is a nominee on this year’s final ballot for the Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. 

                        

    

        Posted on  May 4, 2021 by , 
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