BITTER ROOT (Hardcover Omnibus) by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene / Z-View
BITTER ROOT (Hardcover Omnibus) by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown (writers), Sanford Greene (artist)
Publisher: Image Comics
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
The roaring ’20s! What a time to be alive. The depression had yet to hit and the Harlem Renaissance was in full swing. W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, Louis Armstrong, Cab Callaway, Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson and Marcus Garvey all became well known for their gifts to American culture. Most folks, even today, know their names.
But have you ever heard of the Sangerye family? Going back as far as can be told the Sangeryes have been monster hunters. They fought the evil creatures that came forth into our world. Some monsters could be cured. Others had to be killed. But the cost to the Sangerye family was heavy. Now, the Sangerye matriarch, old Etta Sangerye, knows her time is coming to an end. She must pick a successor to lead the family.
But who?
Etta has relied on the old ways with potions and medicine. To cure when possible, not kill. But the new generation wants action and to battle head-on.
As the Sangeryes discover a greater evil has made its way to earth and threatens humanity, they must find a family member to lead them.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
I was late coming to BITTER ROOT. When I skimmed some of the early issues, I misjudged it. I thought the monsters didn’t look like traditional monsters. Maybe it was more of a kids book. I was so wrong. BITTER ROOT is well written and well drawn, but it’s much more than an action/monster comic. It has heart. And no pun intended, soul. You will care about the characters. The story has universal appeal.
I’m glad I got the omnibus because it’s full of variant covers, sketches, insightful articles and more.
BITTER ROOT has won several awards including 2020 Ring Award for Best Series and the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 2020 and 2022.
BITTER ROOT gets my highest recommendation.
Rating:
