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Graphic Novel Review: Kadath, or the Dream Quest of Randolph Carter by Charles Cutting

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Kadath, or the Dream Quest of Randolph Carter by Charles Cutting

Sloth Comics, 2015

ISBN-13: 9781908830074

Available: Paperback ( Amazon.com )

 

Kadath, or the Dream Quest of Randolph Carter, is based on H. P. Lovecraft’s 1943 novella, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath. Cutting does not offer a straightforward retelling in his Kadath, but rather a more entertaining and colourful version.

 

Randolph Carter dreams of a mysterious sunset city on three different occasions. His obsession with this perfect city becomes dangerous as he ventures on a quest within the dream world to find the elusive place called Kadath. The further he goes, the closer he gets to a terrible secret. Carter faces Zoogs, the cats of Ulthar, and more in his journey. The main character is also, in short, a jerk and wholy unreliable as a narrator. Cutting also includes a Kadath gallery and humorous two-page comic titled “Did Lovecraft Die a Virgin?” at the end of this volume. 

 

The artwork in this graphic novel is notable in its detail and vibrant colours. There are times where Cutting’s artwork makes me think of Noel Fielding’s strange and psychedelic art pieces and character designs, which seems right at home in a dreamscape. This is an entertaining and well-illustrated graphic novel. I would encourage readers interested in retellings of Lovecraft to seek this out.  Highly recommended.

 

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 5, 2022 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: The EC Archives: Haunt of Fear, Volume 1 edited by Daniel Chabon

 

EC Archives: Haunt of Fear, Volume 1

The EC Archives: The Haunt of Fear, Volume 1 edited by Daniel Chabon

Dark Horse Comics, 2021

ISBN-13: 9781506721200

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

Dark Horse’s reprints of EC Comics’ The Haunt of Fear allows readers who have never been exposed to these great comics experience horror comics from the 1950s which were originally published between May 1950 and April 1951. Volume one collects The Haunt of Fear #15-17 and #4-6. Contributors to the comics in volume 1 include Johnny Craig, Jack Davis, Al Feldstein, Gardner F. Fox, Bill Gaines, Harry Harrison, Graham Ingles, Jack Kamen, Ivan Klapper, Harvey Kurtzman, Ray Bradbury, and Wallace Wood. Grant Geissman introduces the collection with a brief history of the creation of EC Comics and how the company shifted its focus from educational comics and biblical stories to horror. The artwork in the volume have been digitally recolored using Marie Severin’s original style as a template. 

The numerous tales of terror in these pages are introduced by the Old Witch, the Vault-Keeper, or the Crypt-Keeper. Between the comics are some short one to two page stories of the macabre and various advertisements. Much of the content is dated, as would be expected in something seven decades old. Some of the storylines are very similar to old time radio shows of the era as well. I would recommend this to fans of classic horror comics. 

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on February 23, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: Hear Us Scream: The Voices of Horror edited by Catherine Benstead, S.C. Parris, and Violet Burns

cover art for Hear Us Scream: The Voices of Horror

Hear Us Scream: The Voices of Horror edited by Catherine Benstead, S.C. Parris, and Violet Burns

Hear Us Scream, 2021

ISBN: 9780645235500

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

 

Vivid and intimate, these nonfiction reflections examine how and why folks find homes in the horror genre.

 

The women and nonbinary contributors’ offer personal horror journeys that blend and balance scholarly insights with intensely personal revelations for a unique and powerful reading experience. Despite considerable diversity in contributors’ backgrounds, some common threads emerge in the essays. Authors address themes like life lessons from horror’s surviving characters; horror as a place of self- recognition, community, and discovery; first experiences with horror; the connection between histories of trauma and horror enthusiasm; and the (mis)representations of marginalized identities. The result of the converging themes from distinct perspectives delivers a smart celebration that find pleasure and critical engagement with the genre. The inclusive potential of horror is centered, while raising incisive questions about future directions, and the pathways presented reflect the dynamic value of horror’s diverse voices. Horror lovers will find an enthusiastic appreciation of horror’s many worlds, interesting entry points, and room for emerging conversations. Much like the genre itself, I suspect this book will feel like home to many readers, who recognize and revere similar moments and remembrances.

 

Hear Us Scream is a welcome addition that will find enthusiastic readers across the community of horror lovers. Both horror content creators and fans will find much to enjoy and relate to in this empowering set of reflections about all types of horror, from B-movies to mainstream features, and more. Some individual essays include trigger warnings for a range of topics, and complex topics are handled with candor and care. Libraries with strong horror collections and pop culture sections will benefit from adding this title. Recommended.

 

Reviewed by E.F. Schraeder

Posted on February 5, 2022 by , Reply
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