PopCultHQ received a review copy of A CALL TO CTHULHU from Titan Comics. Coming from Titan’s young readers imprint Titan Nova, the hardcover features writing and art from Norm Konyu.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
Credits:
Written by Norm Konyu
Art by Norm Konyu
Genres: Children’s, Fantasy, Mythology
ISBN: 9781787740655
Hardcover, 48 pages, FC
SRP: $12.99
Even Cosmic Gods fear an unknown caller!
When Cthulhu, the Great Old One, receives a phone call in the middle of the night, he is not prepared for the conversation that is about to take place.
Part comic book, part artbook, part children’s storybook, A Call To Cthulhu is a fun, irreverent trip through the classic stories of HP Lovecraft, the influential horror writer, and a perfect introduction to his work for your little terrors! His stories and Cthulhu Mythos would inspire later writers such as Stephen King and Alan Moore, and today form the backbone of many movies, TV series, books, comics, and games.
PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
A CALL TO CTHULHU
It is hard to believe that even in the 21st century, the mad tales penned by Lovecraft still resonate with audiences today. The dark and twisted stories that no doubt disturbed readers during the heyday of the Pulp Era have found new ground thanks in no small part to the creative efforts of individuals like Norm Konyu. What Konyu has accomplished with this entire book will stand up and stand out to the most accomplished Lovecraft scholar and tickle the fancies of anyone who desires to delve further but is afraid to step off the edge into the Void.
Writing: The rhyme scheme that Konyu utilizes to present a fanciful and fun exploration of Lovecraft’s most well-known stories is nothing short of freaky fun. It is a madcap take on the sort of rhymes made famous by Dr. Seuss, which made it easy to digest the text and fun to follow. Like one of those sing-along videos where you follow the bouncing ball or note. Instead of something childlike, it would be a twisted tentacle. And while that may sound a bit off, Norm knocked it out of the ballpark. Another thing to note is that he provides an insightful bit of text at the end that breaks down the impact Lovecraft had on horror fiction, and also a cautionary word about his bigoted views.
Art & Colors: While my knowledge of Konyu’s work before this review was zero, it has quickly become a turnabout after seeing the gorgeous artwork he produced to bring his text to life. Seriously, it is smashing stuff. Coupled with the text, it hooks you like a fish on a line. Each bit of art that goes with the brief text that provides a simple breakdown of the various stories that make up the Cthulhu Mythos has a haunted quality to it. The sort of thing that is going to wind up on posters and prints for people to frame and hang on their walls. Add in the color choices that are just smashing, hues that are quite vivid, more so than one would expect from a comic book/not-for-children book about Lovecraft and Cthulhu. It all adds up to something fantastic that will appeal to artists everywhere.
Overall Assessment:
From out of the void comes a book so divine, written in meter, steeped in rhyme. It’s thrilling and chilling, and caused me to quake. Reading it gave me shivers, and filled me with shakes. Norm Konyu has done a wondrous thing, he’s taken old Lovecraft and made those tales sing. Within this book, its pages not frail, is a tale of Cthulhu that won’t make you wail. The words and art are simply stupendous, and all flow together in a form quite tremendous. So please, don’t delay, grab a copy today, and listen, for the Elder Gods have something to say.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
About Titan Comics
Titan Comics offers astounding creator-owned comics and graphic novels from new and world-renowned talent, alongside the world’s greatest licensed properties and classic graphic novels remastered for brand-new audiences. Titan is one of the most successful independent publishing operations in the US, with a recent six-week run at #1 in the New York Times bestseller list.
