By Matt Molgaard
I’ve always thought Howard Lovecraft was decades ahead of his time. He wove stories that were terrifying and read like seamless alternate renditions of our reality, completely understandable yet incredibly complex. His style was almost mysterious, yet it captured the hearts of horror fans around the world. While Lovecraft was far less famous in his lifetime than he is after his death, he deserves every bit of praise and honorific work that is given to him today. Especially the highly entertaining graphic novel Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness.
It’s a gorgeous book, with a vintage feel to the art and a genial tone to the story that pays homage to Lovecraft. continuous A tribute to the past. Fans of Lovecraft’s work will find so many references that it’s really ridiculous… in a really joyful way. Writer Bruce Brown injects just enough lighthearted humor to keep the laughs coming, but he’s also willing to delve into darker territory as young Howard Lovecraft races to ensure the safety of his father, Winfield Lovecraft. I don’t want to spoil every detail of this book, as it really is a work of genius designed to be enjoyed by readers of all ages. There are also some surprises that are worth discovering for yourself.
At only 84 pages, the story is a quick read, and the surprises and tributes never get old. Thomas Boatwright’s illustration method will be appreciated by fans of old-school comic-style artwork, but it’s also modern enough to capture the attention of today’s youth. Between Boatwright’s artwork and Brown’s engaging story, Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness succeeds spectacularly. It’s a treasure that absolutely needs to be discovered by the masses. If you’re looking to get your kids interested in the catalog of brilliant stories spun by one of the greatest minds of all time, this is a must-have book.
Howard Lovecraft and the Kingdom of Madness isn’t available for pre-order yet, but you can buy the other two books in the series right now. Click here for Howard Lovecraft and the Undersea Kingdom, and here for Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom. If these two GNs are anything like Brown’s latest, they’ll be worth every penny, if not more.
score:5/5
