Since it is Spooktober I thought I would lean into the more horror, supernatural, witchy side of reading this month and the first review is of a really fascinating comic from Oni Press once more.

A tale of witchcraft and revenge, Harley Creed is released from prison to do one thing, give his daughter the means to get out of Briar Falls and then leave there for good, but the town has other ideas.

A vivid colour palette goes along with a violent fever dream of a story that is flat out from start to finish, blood feuds, witchcraft, curses, grudges, and gunfights fuels Harley to an almost inevitable end.

The story telling is spot on though you come in at the end of this sorry tale, there is only one essential flashback close to the end, the rest of the comic is taken up with Harley’s increasingly violent and bloody attempt to stop a death curse that’s on him.

Expect twists, expect brains, expect a darkness of the soul.

Loved this!

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brutal Appalachian Folk Horror!

Justin Jordan & Chris Shehan deliver a revenge story soaked in curses, blood, and regret. Our anti-hero, Creed, is a violent ex-con who has returned home after getting out of prison with an agenda and a limited window of time. His past is full of sins and terrors, and there may just be a curse that he is living out the final days of. The small town of Briar Falls is decaying. The magic of the land is haunting those who are still within the city limits. The storytelling in this is next level. It is gritty and dark and dangerous. Creed isn't a character readers will understand at first. His motivations are a constant mystery in the pages of this graphic novel. However, with each chapter, readers learn more and more about how Creed and Briar Falls have a long, sordid history. There are supernatural elements, vicious violence, and an emotional family dynamic that will leave you unable to put this story down.

Don't miss this gritty and emotional story!

Mixing crime and horror comics isn't exactly new, but unlike many examples of the intersection (mentioning no names, The Ravilious Pact) the moody pages here really make you feel the taint, the contamination that attends involvement with either organised crime or backwoods black magic, the parallel between the dying small town and the slow rot of the cursed protagonist. Also, I applaud the opening scene's commitment to making sure Wertham is spinning in his grave.

(Netgalley ARC)

A great start to a dark and gritty series, featuring a small town, some witchcraft and a curse. The plot is pretty interesting and I think there is a lot of potential down the road for the rest of the series. Harley is out for revenge after tragedy struck his family. Tensions are high with his daughter and the Weavers. There are quite a few gory moments and a lot of action. I was worried there wouldn’t be much back story but there’s enough there to set it up.
The artwork was striking with bold colours and imagery. At times it was a bit hard to tell what was happening in some sections, but it was still very cool.

Overall, solid read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a free of charge eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mine is a Long, Lonesome Grave is an Appalachian horror about magic murder and old family feuds. It deals with themes of power and corruption, manipulation and morality.
Harley Creed returns home after serving twenty years in prison, intending to settle his debts and move on, he soon finds he has been cursed, leaving him with seven days to end the curse or die in agony.
With visceral art by Chris Shehan, best known for his work on House of Slaughter, this series pulls no punches, delivering plenty of action and a high body count, it is not a series for the faint of heart, or those easily offended.

An interesting Appalachian folk horror tale mixed with a gritty crime drama. The art is super interesting and the action will keep you on your toes. Recommended!

Perfect for fans of Preacher and The Last of Us, Mine is a Long, Lonesome Grave is a romp through backcountry magicks, culty families, and one man's search for revenge through all of it.