Graphic Novel Review: Bone Parish, Volume 1 by Cullen Bunn
Media Type: Ebook (ARC)
Title: Bone Parish, Volume 1
* Series: Bone Parish
Author: Cullen Bunn
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Pages: Paperback; 112
Release Date: May 7, 2019
Source: NetGalley
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Content Screening: Violence
HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart
Recommended to: Graphic novel readers who are looking for something with dark, science fiction elements.
Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N
A necromantic horror series about an upstart crime family trafficking in a new designer drug that’s just hit the market made from the ashes of the dead.
A new drug is sweeping through the streets of New Orleans—one made from the ashes of the dead. Wars are being fought over who will control the supply, and the demand is rising. While the various criminal factions collide, users begin to experience terrifying visions of the dead coming back to life…through them. Eisner Award-nominated author Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Empty Man) and illustrator Jonas Scharf team up for Bone Parish, a haunting blend of horror and crime that takes an unflinching look at how we connect to—and disconnect from—the world around us.
I’m not going to lie, I picked this up because there was a lot of contention about this graphic novel going around Twitter. Any time that a story has such a polarizing effect on its readers, I need to read it. Plus, I can’t deny that the premise of this dark little story intrigued me. It’s hard not to be taken in by the idea of a highly potent drug made from the remains of the dead, especially if that designer drug starts to become a currency on its own. I just knew this was going to be a graphic novel I would enjoy, and I was right.
First off, kudos where kudos are due, the artwork in this is absolutely stunning. Dark, gritty, and full of atmosphere, it perfectly matches with the story that unfolds on these pages. As the Winter family fell deeper into the pit that this drug trade was digging for them, I felt like the art kept pace perfectly. Fair warning friends, there are some fairly graphic panels in this book. If you’re not a fan of death and dismemberment, you might want to take a pass.
In terms of story, I thought Cullen Bunn did an admirable job of introducing us to this new designer drug and its creators. The storyline was a little jumbled at points, but I still felt like I had a pretty firm hold on the picture at large. I’m kind of an addict for stories like these, where the best laid plans go awry and unforseen consequences abound. Seeing what people do when they’re down on the mat is fascinating, and Cullen Bunn definitely doesn’t skimp in that department. People are hurt in this book, and some of them even deserve it.
Long story short, I liked this! I’m ready for more.
FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.
