Bitter Root Volume 1: Family Business
The struggle of a family against new monstrous threats
Chuck Brown author David F Walker author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Image Comics
Published:14th May '19
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In a world where monster hunters face new threats, Bitter Root Volume 1: Family Business explores the complexities of family and legacy amid tragedy.
In Bitter Root Volume 1: Family Business, the Sangerye family, once revered as the greatest monster hunters, finds themselves in a dire predicament. Specializing in healing the souls of those corrupted by hate, their legacy is threatened by a tragic event that decimates their ranks. With most of the family lost, the remaining cousins are torn between their original mission of curing monsters and the grim necessity of exterminating them. The once-unified front against darkness is now fractured, and the stakes have never been higher.
As a new breed of monstrous threat emerges in Harlem, the Sangerye family must confront their differences and rediscover their purpose. The streets are plagued by these new entities, which challenge not only their skills but also their very beliefs about monsters and humanity. The cousins must navigate their conflicting emotions and responsibilities while grappling with the consequences of their past decisions.
Bitter Root Volume 1: Family Business collects issues #1-5, weaving a rich narrative that explores themes of family, legacy, and the struggle against both external and internal demons. As the characters evolve, readers are invited to witness a poignant story about what it means to fight for one's family and the world they inhabit, even when faced with insurmountable odds.
“Puts a monstrous face on bigotry and a beautiful new spin on the Harlem Renaissance.” -The Onion's AV Club
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY -- Since the dawn of civilization, a Great Evil has plagued humanity" begins the not particularly original opening to this fast-paced horror series. Fortunately, Walker (The Life of Frederick Douglass) and Brown pump life into a familiar good vs. evil formula with a well-crafted, vividly illustrated setting. In 1920s Harlem, the Sangerye family carries on its generations-old work of fighting jinoo, evil spirits that periodically erupt into the mortal world. When humans start turning into jinoo, the Sangeryes' mission becomes more complicated, as rival demonologists and possessed humans present new obstacles. Historical fiction mixes with supernatural horror, producing a hybrid fantasy world of voodoo spells, mad science, monster Klansmen, and Jazz Age demon hunters wielding steampunk versions of Ghostbusters proton packs. The dynamic, richly colored art, with its expressive characters and imaginative monster designs, elevates the predictable plot. Above all, it's the background details that sing, from meticulously drawn Harlem streets to cluttered rooms filled with period detail. Comics fans will look forward to future volumes of this energetic dark fantasy that effectively mixes thrills and scares.
LIBRARY JOURNAL -- The Sangereye family-Ma Etta, Blink, Cullen, Berg, Ford, and Uncle Enoch-blends potions of roots and other conjurings to rid souls of hate and racism. But new monsters materialize in this Harlem Renaissance New York, and a family split on how to deal with them threatens everybody. Superbly designed characters as well as vivid, kinetic panels with period detail keep the story moving and the twists surprising. An energetic blend of historical fiction, supernatural horror, and steampunk. (LJ 8/19)
“The tragedy and family drama at the heart of IMAGE COMICS' new series BITTER ROOT may be the most traditional thing about a comic that is, at heart, anything but traditional.” -The Hollywood Reporter
"Relentless action...a kinetic style that makes good use of 1920s period details to anchor the story, which develops slowly before kicking into high gear halfway through and concluding on a legitimately exciting cliff-hanger." --Library Journal
"A comic that's confident in itself and doesn't need to rely on overwrought high-concept themes. Bitter Root isn't afraid to tackle weighty issues while still having some fun, giving us some new heroes that are much needed in today's world." -ComicBook.com
ISBN: 9781534312128
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 318g
160 pages