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Graphic Novel Review: Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Jenny Finn by Mike Mignola and Troy Nixey, art by Troy Nixey and Farel Dalrymple

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 9781427606754

Available: hardcover, paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

A mysterious girl, Jenny Finn, arrives in Victorian England and leaves death, destruction, and a strange curse in her wake. There is a plague causing gruesome lesions in the crooked streets of London. Joe, a slaughterhouse worker, aims to find out what’s going on in his city. When the pursuit of his investigation leads him to Jenny, Joe is attacked by a religious zealot named Hornsbee who attempts to kill her, and has a number of strange and disturbing encounters: a serial murderer bent on wiping out the “ladies of the night” is loose, the ghosts of the murdered women roam the streets, and mutated half-human, half-fish people devote themselves to Jenny Finn. Pippa Platt, who clearly loves the oblivious Joe, takes him to a séance to see if a group of spiritualists can help him track down Jenny and what is happening in the town.

I liked this story for several reasons. The Lovecraftian tone and the Victorian setting were essential elements for this kind of tale. The griminess of old London and themes of punishment, forgiveness, and doom are exactly what I like in my horror. The art for this volume fits with the story well. Sequential art that includes body horror has always been a draw for me. The hybrid humans in particular are interesting in these pages.

While Jenny Finn does not compare to the Hellboy mythos, it is an interesting tale with great artwork. If you enjoy Lovecraftian tones, Victorian settings, and body horror, this would make a nice addition to your collection.

Recommended

Contains: body horror, nudity, implied rape, sex

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 10, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman, art by Rafael Albuquerque

A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman, art by Rafael Albuquerque

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-50670-393-0

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, comiXology edition

A Study in Emerald is a Lovecraftian/Doyle mystery featuring a brilliant detective and his partner as they try to solve a murder. The investigation follows the investigators, named only as the Detective and the Major, from the Whitechapel slums to Queen Victoria’s palace as they attempt to find the killer of a member of the blood royal. The story follows almost all of the same plot points as the original Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet. There are numerous twists and turns in Gaiman’s story from the moment the Major approaches the front door of the Baker Street residence. It also becomes clear that this world is one where the Great Old Ones have prevailed. Cultists are in power, as are the entities themselves. The royals, after all, bleed green. This graphic novel was adapted from Gaiman’s short story of the same title: http://www.neilgaiman.com/mediafiles/exclusive/shortstories/emerald.pdf.

Readers who enjoy Holmes crossovers with a dash of Lovecraftian horror should pick this up, as well as read the original source material. The story is unique in several respects, especially regarding a few of the big reveals that happen through the investigation. I think the only disappointment I have in this volume is that it ended so quickly. I would have loved to have read more. Albuquerque’s beautiful, rich illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Gaiman’s tale of a great detective and his companion searching for a killer in an alternate Victorian setting.

Recommended.

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on March 13, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Brooklyn Blood by Paul Levitz, art by Tim Hamilton

Dark Horse, 2018

ISBN-13: 9781506706306

Available:  Paperback, Kindle edition, and comiXology edition

 

Afghanistan vet Billy O’Connor returns to his hometown of Brooklyn to work as a detective. He tries returning to his routine, but his PTSD  haunts him. His hallucinations worsen over time and concern his partner, Hasan. When they begin investigating a strange homicide case, O’Connor experiences what he chalks up to as PTSD, but it turns out to be something more. The case turns into the hunt for a serial killer, one who is making human sacrifices to raise a demon from the depths.

Readers who enjoy a good Lovecraftian noir should pick this up. Brooklyn is gritty, and the cops and detectives fit perfectly in this environment. O’Connor tries to come to grips with his inner demons and disturbing hallucinations throughout the investigation, when he discovers there may be more to his experiences than he or his partner think. O’Connor also must confront his own racism. Seeing the horrors of war in Afghanistan, he has a skewed view of anyone “other”. Hasan thankfully doesn’t pull her punches when she confronts him about his words or actions. While there is nothing overtly gross or terrifying, young readers might find this disturbing. Teen readers may find this a great read.

This volume collects all sixteen chapters which were originally serialized in Dark Horse Presents Volume 3 #17-#22 and #24-#33!”

Contains: racism, some blood

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on January 19, 2019 by , Reply
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