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Book Review: Eldritch Tides by Jessica Burke and Anthony Burdge, story concept by Jason McKittrick, illustrated by Brandon Zimmerman and Jason McKittrick

Eldritch Tides by Jessica Burke and Anthony Burdge, story concept by Jason McKittrick, illustrated by Brandon Zimmmerman and Jason McKittrick

Myth Ink Books, 2020

ISBN-13: 978-1087860534

Available: Paperback

 

It’s 2005, and a massive snowstorm hitting Toms River, New Jersey has Jeremiah Allen and his friend MJ experiencing cabin fever, arguing over who is the better dungeon master, eating junk food, and discussing Jeremiah’s obsession with his lineage. Donna and Marvin, Jeremiah’s foster parents, are not all that they seem…

Fast forward to October 29th, 2012. Superstorm Sandy is threatening Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Jeremiah, now a fledgling cultist, finds an artifact that was unearthed the storm. He follows the path this mysterious Elder Tablet outlines for him, following the tentacled fish icons that will take him down the same path his ancestors followed. Dark magick awaits him, if he can only get it right. Jeremiah attempts to use the tablet to awaken… something. But it all goes wrong.

It is now the summer of 2019. Temperatures are unbearably hot and thunderstorms are in the forecast. Dr. Gilbert Halsey at the Toms River Psychiatric Unit has completed his evaluation of Jeremiah, who initially came in with no identification. The good doctor is met with the unexplainable; Jeremiah claims he is changing. After Jeremiah has what appears to be a series of seizures, Dr. Halsey is able to ascertain just to what degree Jeremiah’s body is… developing. Dr. Halsey contacts an old friend from Miskatonic University, and expert in strange happenings.  Dr. Nora Danforth, with her assistant, Jeremiah’s old friend MJ, agrees to travel to Toms River to investigate the Elder Tablet, assess damage caused by a Shoggoth sowing death behind it, and interview Jeremiah for more information. However, when she and MJ get to the asylum, she is met with disappointing news—her childhood friend has escaped the institution. Dr. Danforth and MJ are on their own. Will they be able to reverse the course that Jeremiah started?

I enjoyed the structure of the book. The story is told through news reports, first or third person perspective vignettes, weather advisory bulletins, and journal entries. They merged well, and moved the story forward in an interesting way. The sections involving the Scout Troop, especially those regarding one of the members named Charlie, culminate in a startling revelation. I also liked that none of the characters were perfect—each had a distinct personality and flaws. Also, as a librarian who works closely with my library’s Special Collections unit, I’m curious about the curator’s dedication to the job at Miskatonic University. The Elder Tablet came from Miskatonic University’s Special Collections, and had been stolen several times prior. I would think that there would be stronger stipulations on accessing it. That is, provided that the item itself isn’t manipulating time and space?

I think the only criticism I have is that the text could have gone through one more edit. There were a few typos and some inconsistent punctuation. Regardless, the story was solid. It is suitable for adult as well as YA readers. Those interested in Lovecraftian works should definitely pick up Eldritch Tides. Recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on March 28, 2020 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Neil Gaiman’s Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Colleen Doran

Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Colleen Doran

Dark Horse, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781506709796

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, comiXology

 

Adapted from Gaiman’s short story in the collection titled Smoke and Mirrors, Snow, Glass, Apples is a dark fairy tale version of Snow White. The Queen, terrified of her monstrous stepdaughter, has her heart set on saving her kingdom from a creature hell bent on devouring everyone in her path. This is not the Snow White tale we are familiar with. While the young girl appears innocent and sweet, she harbors a thirst for blood, and no one is safe from her appetite. Even her father, the King, is not safe from his own flesh and blood.

The most interesting part of Gaiman’s story is his take on who and what the Queen is and how she can scry. She is an enigma herself, but she is certainly not the evil queen we are familiar with in various media. She’s complicated, to put it mildly. As mentioned above, Snow is not the softhearted young lady depicted in stories and film. She is cold, calculating, devious. She’s also a seductress as see when the Queen asks her mirror about what is attacking the Forest Folk.

The artwork in this book is beautiful. It’s easy to get lost in the highly detailed panels. Doran’s work is reminiscent of Harry Clarke’s artwork. In fact, there is a nod to one of the artist’s famous pieces in the 1923 edition of Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Imagination. She writes about his influence in her artwork in the sketchbook included in this volume.

This is a fairy tale not meant for children. Adult themes are found throughout the story. It is heavy on sexual content, and there is implied incest between Snow and the King, her father. While it is an uncomfortable subject, it helps illustrate how hedonistic and animalistic this version of Snow White is. I would recommend this to readers who like alternative versions of fairy tales, with the understanding that, despite the bright colours Doran uses in her artwork, the content is far darker than expected. Recommended

Contains: blood, gore, implied incest, nudity, sexual content

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

Editor’s note:  Neil Gaiman’s Snow, Glass, Apples was nominated to the final ballot of the 2019 Bram Stoker Award in the category of Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel.

Posted on March 23, 2020 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Dr. Herbert West & Astounding Tales in Medical Malpractice by Bruce Brown, illustrated by Thomas Boatwright

Dr. Herbert West & Astounding Tales of Medical Malpractice by Bruce Brown, illustrated by Thomas Boatwright

Arcana Studio, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781771352758

Available:  Paperback

 

With a foreword written by THE Jeffrey Combs, I knew I had to review this title.

Here begins the tale of young Dr. Herbert West: Re-Animator, legend, and genius. The story is told by his sister, Elizabeth Anne West (I happen to share first and middle names with our storyteller). The West family is constantly moving due to the young doctor’s scientific disasters(er, experiments), but despite all of that, she still loves her brother. After they settle in Providence, the family thinks things will settle down, but Lizzy knows better. One day while Lizzy is introducing her brother to the deliciousness of Johnny Cakes baked treats, the town doctor starts choking! He is saved by Dr. West, but the old doc isn’t right afterward. The townsfolk start visiting Young Doc West for their ailments, but he soon grows bored of treating them. So he starts experimenting…

Lizzy finds him in his basement laboratory with a familiar serum. When Lizzy demands to know what compelled him to create such a serum, he simply states, “I was bored.” The ravening horde of undead escape their basement prison to feast upon the only thing chewy and satisfying enough to sate their hunger…Johnny Cakes donuts. Can Lizzy and Herbert make it to Dean Allen Halsey at Miskatonic University in time?

I love everything about this book. The story is definitely all ages, even though Herbert goes into overly scientific explanations about, well, everything. It’s good we have Lizzy to remind him to use layman’s terms. The artwork is vibrant and colourful, and the action scenes are drawn so well. There is a panel where Lizzy is shaking Herbert wildly from side to side and I had to take a minute to finish because I was laughing so hard. This is a great book for anyone who likes a healthy dose of humor in their Lovecraft. Highly recommended.

Contains: unrelenting devouring of baked goods by the undead

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on December 18, 2019 by , Reply
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