Children of the Grave ( Pixel Age 2020-2021) is a comic series which comes from the mind and creativity of writers Samuel J Romesburg, Ben Roberts and artist Gioele Fillipo.
The premise of the series is set as follows :
Children of the Grave Title Box with Comic tag
Thirty years in the future, humanity lives in a utopian world called “Terra,” where all needs are met by mysterious forces known as “The Providers.” The inhabitants, born without memory of their past or familial ties, enjoy a life free from hardship and adhere to a code of unquestioning acceptance. However, one individual, Daniel, rebels against this conformity, seeking answers about the old world and challenging the blissful ignorance of his peers. As he uncovers the truth, he realizes that humanity is once again on the brink of extinction due to an impending evil.
The comics consists of a total of 5 issues with good story telling and artwork. I really liked the art from issue #3 onwards. The covers are fantastic and there are several variant/metal versions also available on the Scout Comics website. On Comic Geeks app, the overall rating is 3.9/5 , however, after reading it personally, and amazed by the story telling, art and covers, I would like to give it a 4.1/5. The comic is for the mature readers only, and a must read if you like sci-fi/utopian content and if you like to support indie creators and developers.
Apart from the comic books itself, there exists a title box of this set which comes with one variant and full run of this comic along with a comic tag which is a digital download of the full series.
If you decide to grab one, feel free to comment on whether you liked it or not after giving it a read!
You know how they say “don’t judge a book by its cover”?
Well, I’m so glad I ignored that advice.
I was wandering through my library when a book I’d never seen before just stopped me in my tracks. ‘The Crossroads at Midnight‘. I had zero context. Never heard of the book, never heard of the author, Abby Howard.
But the cover art? It just grabbed me. It was atmospheric, a little creepy, and I immediately knew I had to check it out.
First Impressions: This Isn’t Your Average Graphic Novel
Right away, I noticed this book feels different. This isn’t your typical glossy, full-color graphic novel. The pages are thick, and the art inside is all stark, gorgeous black-and-white ink. It has a fantastic, almost manga-like quality to it that perfectly sets the moody, unsettling tone for what’s to come.
So, Who Is Abby Howard?
I was so impressed that I immediately had to look her up. The book itself is a bit mysterious about its creator, but the website (The Last Halloween) filled in the blanks.
Get this: Howard studied Evolutionary Biology, but after being a contestant on the web reality show Strip Search, she was able to pivot and chase her dream of being a full-time cartoonist. (Talk about a cool origin story!)
She’s been in the game for nearly a decade, and The Crossroads at Midnight is her first short horror collection. She also co-founded a game studio, Black Tabby Games, with her spouse, and they’re working on an episodic horror game called Scarlet Hollow. This author clearly lives and breathes the horror genre, and it shows in her work.
What It’s About: Five Stories That Will Haunt You
‘The Crossroads at Midnight’ is a collection of five chilling short stories. As I read them, I noticed a powerful, creeping theme tying them all together: feelings of intense isolation, loneliness, and crushing responsibility.
Each story feels distinct, but they all share that same quiet, unsettling heartbeat.
No spoilers, I promise! But here’s a quick peek at what you’re in for:
The Girl in the Fields: A young girl, feeling smothered by her conservative family, befriends a mysterious girl living on the other side of a fence.
Mattress, Used: A broke college kid does the one thing you should never do: he brings home a mattress he found on the street. It… does not go well.
The Boy From the Sea: A younger sister, feeling abandoned as her older sister grows up, befriends a strange boy while on vacation.
Our Lake Monsters: A girl has grown up with her family’s “pet” lake monster and is fiercely, unsettlingly loyal to it.
Kindred Spirits: An older woman living alone on the edge of a bog has a… peculiar houseguest.
My Final Take: 5/5 Stars
Honestly, there wasn’t a single story in this collection that I didn’t love.
If I had to pick one that felt slightly different from the others, it might be “Mattress, Used,” but it was still a fantastic, creepy read that absolutely belonged in the collection.
And the art. Seriously. Don’t let the black-and-white style fool you into thinking it’s simple. Howard is a master of using light and shadow to build dread. The lack of color honestly makes the horror more effective.
This has, hands down, rocketed onto my list of all-time favorite horror graphic novels.
I’m not the only one who loved it—I saw a great post on the subreddit r/graphicnovels that perfectly captured why this book works so well.
If you are a fan of horror, the macabre, or just brilliantly told short stories with art that will stick with you, you need to read this book.
Junji Ito is one of the most celebrated authors in the world of horror manga, known for works such as Uzumaki and Tomie, several of which have been successfully adapted into anime. Drawing inspiration from H. P. Lovecraft, his craft is widely acclaimed for its vivid portrayal of cosmic and supernatural horror.
In Junji Ito’s Cat Diary: Yon & Mu, however, he takes a playful detour into light-hearted comic horror. The manga recounts how Ito bought a new house and invited his fiancée to live with him—only to discover she would be bringing her cats, Yon and Mu. Initially reluctant, Ito turns this situation into a 120-page tale where he comically depicts the “horrors” of life with the cats, charting his journey from irritation to affection.
What makes the book stand out is the way Ito portrays the evolution of his bond with Yon and Mu, presenting them as the true protagonists of each chapter. He shows how the cats became an essential part of his life and movingly recounts their journey up until their passing. The result is a story that blends humor, mild horror, and genuine heartbreak in equal measure.
With his distinctive linework and expressive character designs, Ito ensures that even this domestic story carries the same visual punch that defines his horror classics but in a comical fashion with a blend of love.
If you’re new to manga or to Junji Ito’s work, this book is a perfect entry point: a light-hearted, easy-to-read story that leaves you smiling while still showcasing his unique style.
Howard Phillips Lovecraft, born on August 20, 1890 in Providence, Rhode Island, died at the age of 47 without ever achieving any financial success. In his lifetime, he never experienced fame and only was able to publish some of his works in pulp magazines. Inspired by authors like Edgard Allen Poe and Robert Chambers, he created short stories and poems that captured a new kind of horror which incorporated cosmic elements, mathematics, astronomy, fictional gods and characters – which has now become its own genre. As of today he is well known as the creator of ‘Cosmic Horror’, ‘The Elder Gods’, ‘The Cthulhu mythos’ and so many more…. his short stories has inspired writers and creators like Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Junji Ito and many others who inspired by his style has put several pearls of cosmic horror out in front of us.
H.P.Lovecraft
“That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die.” – H.P.Lovecraft
The introduction is a nice read which introduces us to the life and the perspective of H.P.Lovecraft’s writing – the insecurities, the miseries, the hate, and the self deprecating thought that Lovecraft went through. The introduction also covers how his stories became famous after his death and gave rise to Lovecraftians who used his style and his characters across many of the presently famous horror titles.
After that the book has a compilation of several of Lovecraft’s famous stories, properly cited with resources and footnotes to explain and provide important background, origins, and references wherever necessary.
I belong to a category of readers who after finishing a book/story – thinks about it – makes an animation of its own in my mind and plays it forward and backward and often think about the characters and their endings. Because of this, Lovecraft’s style of writing goes very well with me as his writing leaves a lot of room for the reader’s imagination to run aloof. I would highly recommend all to revisit his work and to experience the Lovecraftian world – its characters, and mysteries.
Those who are interested should also watch this TED-ED video which provides a very nice introduction on H.P.Lovecraft and this YouTubeChannel and video which covers ‘Mythos Monday’ – Choosing the right edition and some of the great books and stories of H.P.Lovecraft.
Photon Quill 