Blackwood

'A brilliant and deeply foreboding triumph of folk horror, Blackwood is a deftly-woven intergenerational web of tradition and trauma, of suspicion and superstition, and timely in a way that I wish to god it wasn't.' - Hannah Berry, UK Comics Laureate. 'Dark, disturbing and decidedly delectable graphic novel by the amazing Hannah Eaton.'-Nick Edgeworth. 'I just got lost in this bit of unnerving brilliance from the amazing Hannah Eaton.' - Danny Noble. 'This is a yarn that only comes from gifted, thoughtful artists like Hannah Eaton (check out Naming Monsters while you're at it). Channelling delicious notes of Gary Spencer Milledge's Strangehaven and the first series of Gracechurch, this very human-scaled drama is funny, scary and seductively compelling, like the best Scandi-dramas, but with tea and a Victoria Sponge all laid on. Is Blackwood a heartfelt paean to a forgotten place and time or a devious attack on oppressive social structures and change-based bias that still hold us apart and down? Yes, no, maybe and mind your own business. It is a chilling, delightful and utterly compelling mystery that, once read, will not be forgotten.' - Win Wiacek, Comics Review. 'Eaton made a strong impression with her debut and this latest comic proves she is no flash in the frying pan. The art is highly detailed and evokes both time periods perfectly, showing a level of research and care that many readers will appreciate. It is also a style that lends itself to several different tones whether it be gritty murder, or the almost supernatural ambience the story takes at certain times. This is another strong showing from Hannah Eaton and perfect for Halloween reading. All fans of horror comics will want to give this a look.' - Graphic Novel of the Month, Turnaround. 'The dialogue is particularly well observed, and each of the characters have their own individual speech patterns. Meanwhile the drawings, executed expressively in soft pencil, reflect the emotions of the characters, and complement the text with beautifully observed details that reward close examination. Deliciously strange, disturbing and comical.' - Peter James Field, Brighton Source. 'Eaton's time-jumping mystery crosses generations and decades with a frighteningly relevant mix of folklore and social commentary. A quietly brooding indictment of British insularity that is all the more sinister for its unsettling familiarity. A strikingly contemporary book.' - Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier. 'Blackwood is a town where past generations and their secrets lie just below the surface, as well preserved as any bog body, and past deeds are continually remembered, recanted and repeated. Hannah Eaton proves herself, once again, a skilful archaeologist of the English psyche's darker obsessions. A humane but chilling book.' - Dr Catherine Butler, novelist and academic, Cardiff University. '[Hannah's] illustrative style, using pencil and rounded panels, evokes a dreamlike quality. It's softer and somehow reassuring, making the harsher, blunter aspects of the story more visceral. This is only Hannah Eaton's second book and yet it thrums with storytelling confidence, great dialogue and fully-rounded characters. She's a welcome addition to British comics' talent and this book is sure to get her noticed internationally. I hope we see plenty more from her.' - Simon Chadwick, The Cartoonists' Club of Great Britain. 'Captivated by this tale of murder, magic and deep-rooted prejudice in a woodland town, I was torn between lingering over each extraordinary drawing and turning the page.' - Lesley Thomson. 'Adds to the rich canon of folk horror currently appearing in British comics.' - Alex Fitch, Resonance FM.