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Graphic Novel Review: Harrow County Volume 2 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook, Carla Speed McNeil, Hannah Christensen, and Jenn Manley Lee

Harrow County, Library Edition, Volume 2: Snake Doctor & Family Tree by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook, Carla Speed McNeil, Hannah Christensen, and Jenn Manley Lee

Dark Horse, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1506710655

Available: Hardcover, Kindle, comiXology

There is so much happening in this second library edition of Harrow County. Eighteen-year-old witch Emmy Crawford feels alone in the world in terms of her abilities, but a group of strangers appear in Harrow County claiming to be her kin. Emmy learns more about her past, opening more questions for her and the reader. Cullen’s storytelling is brilliant, in that the more we find out about not just Emmy, but her friend Bernice, the more intricate and entwined their stories become. I find myself wondering about the future of these young ladies and what their relationship will look like in the future. Finding out more about Hester Beck has also been intriguing. She is a terrifying figure to be sure, especially since we get more than just a glimpse of what she was capable of.

The reader meets the first of these beings when the skinless boy, Emmy’s familiar, is taunted and hounded by a long haired man, Levi, who kills a bird to play it as he walks along. He talks of pickled pigs’ feet being no substitute for his favourite meat, long pig. Levi coaxes the skinless boy to find his home, discovering what he is and who created him. Clinton and Bernice discover there is another witch in Harrow County after the former’s Uncle Early starts acting strangely after confronting a cottonmouth in the berry bushes. When his uncle ends up missing, Clinton goes to Bernice to help find him out at Old Lady Lovey’s cabin. What she finds out about herself in the process will help protect the people of the county. Emmy ventures to Creech’s County after hearing rumors about a haunted house where the children are hunted by something that wishes to do them harm. She soon discovers there is more to the house than she and the family originally thought. Emmy and Bernice hunt for a lost Clinton in the corn field, only to be attacked by the scarecrows. After Bernice is able to fend them off with the help of a gift from Old Lady Lovey, they come face to face with Levi and a hypnotized young Clinton. They are led to the spot by bloody footprints, who Levi introduces as Mildred. He insists they are related to Emmy, but she is a hard one to convince. When he takes her to meet the rest of her kin, her decision to go with him could mean the destruction of Harrow County.

This library edition collects volumes three and four of Harrow County and includes a sketchbook with notes by Crook, McNeil, and Christenson, essays, and more. The short comics under the title “Tales of Harrow County” written by Tyler Crook with art by David Ruben, the amazing Kate Leth, Kel McDonald, Brian Hurt, Matt Kindt, and Jessica Mahon, are a great addition to the second library edition.

Contains: some blood and gore

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on October 1, 2019 by , Reply

Book Review: Spectral Evidence by Gemma Files

Spectral Evidence by Gemma Files

Trepidatio Publishing, 2018

ISBN-13: 1947654181

Available:  Paperback, Kindle, Nook

Spectral Evidence is a short story collection that has a bit of something for everyone: old gods, vampires, witchcraft, and even a few stories about monster hunters saving ordinary humans from the deadly extraordinary. The stories, with the exception of “Spectral Evidence”, flow smoothly together, anchored well by short stories about an antagonistic alliance between a mountain witch and two female hunters that are scattered throughout the work.

It is clear in the dialogue of her characters that Ms. Files does extensive research in each story’s subject matter, from a doomed archaeologist describing the architectural structure of an ancient temple in “A Wish from a Bone”, to the incident report-like format of “Spectral Evidence”, to the medically specific ways a zombie-turning drug affects the protagonists in “Imaginary Beauties.” This attention to small details gives a vivid credibility to each storyline.

There are no wholesome protagonists in these stories: even the hunters are significantly flawed, which actually creates a more realistic portrayal of the archetype than in other works. While Sam and Dean’s illegal activities are opaquely glossed over in Supernatural (e.g., stolen credit cards, fake IDs, trails of bodies), for example, Ms. Files’ hunters embrace them, even flaunt them. The opening story of the witch Allfair Chatwin and the hunters Samaire and Dionne (!) Cornish begins in the maximum security unit of a female penitentiary.  “Crossing the River” is about the planning of a prison break, and, while there are no heroes here, the character development was compelling enough that I was excited when I realized “Black Bush”, placed two stories later, picked up where “Crossing the River” left off.

“Spectral Evidence” is a unique short story. As mentioned, it is in an incident report format, describing photographs and other evidence of an investigation gone horribly wrong. Descriptions do leave more to the imagination, but this choice over actual pictures resulted in a few re-readings to get a complete understanding of what was going on. I admire the attempt of the experimental storytelling, but its format made the story feel out of place with the rest of the selections. It may have been better served in another collection.

Spectral Evidence is recommended for all horror fans. There are many strong female protagonists in these stories, which may appeal to specific audiences.

Contains: gore, graphic sex, violence, witchcraft

 

Reviewed by Wendy Zazo-Phillips

 

Editor’s note: Spectral Evidence is a nominee on the final ballot for the 2018 Stoker Award in the cagegory of Superior Achievement in a Fiction Collection. 

Posted on May 5, 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
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