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Graphic Novel Review: Harrow County Library Edition, Volume 3 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook

 

Harrow County, Library Edition Volume 3 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook

Dark Horse Comics, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781506710662

Available:  Hardcover, Kindle, comiXology

Emmy finds out more about her real family as she stands against supernatural entities threatening to destroy Harrow County and, ultimately, herself. Additionally, hunters from a neighboring town have heard tales of the creatures wandering the woods in Harrow County and want to prove their mettle by bringing one of them back. They may regret their decision in the end. Later, Emmy’s “haints” lead her to one of their kin who is strung up and dead. Emmy determines the killing was committed by someone familiar with how to kill them. When she finds her friend Bernice is responsible, their bonds of friendship and trust are further tested as they stand on opposing sides. Can they come together to face the evil that Emmy’s family has resurrected from the earth?

Harrow County, Library Edition Volume 3 contains volumes 5 and 6 of the series. It includes a sketchbook, art and painting process notes, a selection of “Tales of Harrow County” shorts by guest creators, and more. I love all the shorts that include the goblin, Priscilla. She’s adorably fierce.

This is a great continuation of Emmy’s story. Bunn keeps the suspense and adventure going well. As with the previous volumes, this is a fast-paced story, but the artwork will keep you on a page longer than you need to read. Crook’s art is fantastic and makes a great pairing with Bunn’s story. This is first time I have reviewed a physical copy, too. The oversized hardcover book is beautiful. The photographs I have included don’t do it justice. If you can get yourself a physical copy, I recommend it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Contains: blood, body horror, gore

 

Highly recommended

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on December 31, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: The Invention of Ghosts by Gwendolyn Kiste

The Invention of Ghosts

The Invention Of Ghosts by Gwendolyn Kiste

Nightscape Press, 2019

Available: Chapbook, pre-order direct from Nightscape Press

Yes, this is a chapbook. Yes, it’s something you can finish reading in an hour or so. But this is something special, something worth investing in and savoring the story from one of the best new writers of the decade.

Just like Kiste’s collection and her stunning debut, The Rust Maidens, The Invention of Ghosts is a reading experience that seldom occurs. Kiste’s writing is what makes the stories transcend most of what the genre holds these days: the author is that special.

The less said. the better about this story.  It reminded me a bit of both The Haunting of Hill House and Ghost Story, a mix between Shirley Jackson and Peter Straub. Yet, Gwendolyn Kiste is her own person, and her style deftly dances between the words, carving out sentences that alternate between razors and velvet.

Everly is fascinated with the occult and all things ghostly. She’s a bit eccentric, odd, different, and cool. Kiste seduces the reader with her second person point of view, speaking to her friend who may or may not be dead, in a manner that evokes the best of Gillian Flynn and Nathan Ballingrud. The main character searches for the answers to a mystery she might already know, something others don’t want her to explore. The adventure of her missing childhood friend and college roommate who followed her passion for the occult consumes her, digging a rabbit hole for Everly to escape into, bury her sanity, or seek salvation. It’s a trip that begs exploration.

In addition to supporting a great author, forty percent of the proceeds from the sale of this chapbook goes to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh, which houses over 150 species of birds from around the world, many of them endangered. Help a great cause while reading something special.

Posted on November 21, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Bitter Root, Volume One: Family Business by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene, illustrated by Rico Renzi and Sanford Greene

Bitter Root, Volume One: Family Business by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene, illustrated by Rico Renzi and Sanford Greene

Image Comics, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781534312128

Available:  Paperback, Kindle, comiXology

 

The Sangerye family combats monsters called Jinoo, people who have been infected by hate. However, a deadly tragedy struck the family, and the survivors can’t agree whether to kill or cure the monsters. With a new breed of monster stalking the streets of 1920s Harlem, the Sangeryes need to come to terms with their feud and face their new foe, or watch all of humanity lose the fight.

The characters in Bitter Root are fantastic. Ma Etta, the matriarch of the family, is a badass, protective of her family and not afraid to defend them. Berg is a poetic and gentle giant who can wield a wicked staff. Blink is a strong-willed, brave woman who desires to take a more active role in the family’s monster hunting. Cullen seems to be in training and is struggling to get his footing. Then there is Ford. He is most definitely a loner, and has his own deadly ideas of how to deal with the Jinoo.

There are so many great scenes in this book, which is a fast paced #OwnVoices read. The reader is thrown into the action when Sweet Pickin’ Jazz Club is attacked by an unseen monster. The next night sees one sect of the Sangerye family attacked by monsters, and Ma Etta telling Blink she can’t go out to help her Cullen and Berg fight a great horned beast. Blink proves herself by using a staff to beat the crap out of the monster. She is by far my favorite character in Bitter Root.

I recommend this highly for anyone looking for a great supernatural #OwnVoices graphic novel. The story is full of monster fighting, family politics, social commentary, and racists and KKK members getting their asses kicked.

Volume 1 collects Bitter Root issues 1 through 5. Also included are essays about the origin of the story, Afrofuturism, the tradition of rootwork, and more. Interspersed between the essays are variant covers and fan art.

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on November 21, 2019 by , Reply
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