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Graphic Novel Review: Falconspeare by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell and Mike Mignola

Falconspeare by Warwick Johnson-Cadwell

Dark Horse Comics, 2022

ISBN-13: 9781506724768

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

 

Monster hunters extraordinaire Professor Meinhardt, Mr. Knox, and Ms. Van Sloan have investigated and hunted the uncanny before, but now they come together to answer the question that’s haunted them for years: what happened to their friend and notorious vampire slayer, James Falconspeare? 

 

Upon finding their old friend, he tells them of his adventures. After dealing with a werewolf problem, Falconspeare ended up in a community where young people were disappearing, only to be found later dead, the bodies in terrible condition. The people in the community found the police less than helpful, so they turned to Falconspeare for aid.

 

Upon investigation of the bodies, Falconspeare at first believed the victims were killed by a vampire. The incredible vampire hunter, acting under the suspicions of dealing with such a creature, found he was in error. Clues point to Baron Fontin, whose appetites were gossiped about in influential circles, but the baron is no vampire. He is a serial killer. When the vampire hunter approached local authorities to address the situation, no one listens.

 

Out of desperation and frustration, Falconspeare went in search of the Black Docks Biter, a female vampire who lives in the sewers feasting on rats, and ventures out rarely for human blood. Professor Meinhardt, Mr. Knox, and Ms. Van Sloan discover their old friend has done something unthinkable to deal with the human monster that is Baron Fontin. Johnson-Cadwell’s unique art style provides a good accompaniment to the Victoriam tale of terror. 

 

Falconspeare is the third installment of Johnson-Cadwell and Mike Mignola’s series that include the trio of monster hunters, Ms. Van Sloan, Mr. Knox, and Professor J. T. Meinhardt.

Highly recommended

 

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on April 6, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl

 

Cover art for The Lost

The Lost Girls: A Vampire Revenge Story by Sonia Hartl  

Page Street Publishing, 2022

ISBN: 9781645673149

Available: Hardcover, e-book, audiobook  ( Bookshop.org )

 

In this book, a group of young women who were turned by the same gaslighting vampire team up to take him down.   

 

Since 1987, Holly has been an eternal teenager, stuck with one of the era’s iconic fashion don’ts— crimped hair— after falling for pretty-boy vampire, Elton.  Hartl starts this tale after the ever-after, with Holly working at a Taco Bell to make ends meet once her sexy vampire boyfriend fails to make good on the promise of eternal love.  When Elton’s two other exes enter the scene, readers find out what they have in common, and the trio joins forces to try to break the alluring and totally predatory hold on his next victim— another teenage girl, Parker. 

 

Parker and Holly develop a fast physical attraction as they get to know each other. Turning the teen girl victim trope on its ear,  Hartl’s  updated vampire story takes on patriarchy with a humorous tone, lots of action, and a solid dose of queer romance. Characters’ bisexuality (and sexuality, in general) is handled quite comfortably, with the long view of an immortal. Who better than vampires to go up against the centuries-old problem of patriarchy? Folks seeking grim horror may be disappointed by some of the romantic elements, but readers looking for a contemporary paranormal tale will find a lot to enjoy in this quirky, laugh-out-loud YA vampire story.   The plot is fast-paced and unfolds to a satisfying conclusion. With a hearty dose of gory violence, this is likely to appeal to folks who enjoyed Lish McBride’s  Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, Adam Rex’s Fat Vampire, and other horror-humor mashups.  Recommended.  

 

A cure for the common sparkle.   

 

Reviewed by E. F. Schraeder

Posted on March 31, 2022 by , Reply

Book Review: Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw

cover art for Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw

Mina and the Undead by Amy McCaw

uClan Publishing, 2021

ISBN-13 : 978-1912979479

Available: Paperback (pre-order, April 1, 2021) ( Amazon.co.uk )

 

It’s 1995, and seventeen-year-old Mina is spending her summer visiting her older sister Libby, who moved from their home in England to New Orleans to attend college, and works in a movie-themed haunted house, owned by Thandie, who immediately hires Mina to work there for the summer. Libby has a girlfriend, Della (this relationship is wonderful), and two roommates, Jared (who also works at the haunted house) and Lucas, an artist. Despite a difficult relationship with Libby, Mina finds herself accepted into this group of older friends, who tour her around New Orleans, sharing its gruesome stories and history as well as its vibrant (and sometimes bizarre) current atmosphere. Marie Laveau, vampires, serial killers, fortune tellers, and more, fascinate Mina as she explores the city.  Shortly after she arrives, though, she discovers a co-worker murdered in the haunted house, one of several girls killed in ways described in stories from New Orleans’ past, by someone who may be a copycat of the serial killers John and Wayne Carter (or a vampire, or both, because this is New Orleans). As the friends investigate the murders, Jared and Mina quickly become romantically involved. Soon, however, events leave teenage Mina alone to navigate the city and save whoever she can.

Cons of this book: I wasn’t thrilled to see a seventeen-year-old girl romantically involved with a college-aged boy, although I appreciated that Mina at least had agency in her relationship with Jared.. I also didn’t think it was great that a high school girl was spending time in a bar, although given the setup of the story I don’t think it was unrealistic. However, as the police are significantly involved with Mina, Libby, and their friends, I had trouble believing that they would allow a minor with no adult supervision to wander New Orleans.

Having visited New Orleans, what I love most about this book is the way it brings New Orleans to life. It’s a love letter to the city, not just a setting but almost a character. Mina’s love of horror, which not only includes her own favorite movies, books, and enthusiasms, but holds her family together, from her mother’s Laurell K. Hamilton books to her sister’s job in a haunted house, is also a beautiful thing to see and I think there are many, many girls who will relate to her and have a blast joining her on this rollercoaster ride of horror, crime, romance, friendship, and betrayal.  Recommended.

Contains: Murder, torture, sexual situations, blood-drinking.

 

Reviewed by Kirsten Kowalewski

Posted on March 18, 2021 by , Reply
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