Esteban Maroto

Lovecraft, the myth of Cthulhu
Author: Esteban Moroto
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Publishing Date: 2016/2018
Edition/Volume: 1st
Pgs: 80
Dewey: 741.5946 LOV
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Summary:
Three Lovecraft stories in the Cthulhu mythos illustrated by Esteban Moroto, a prolific artist whose work appeared in the classic horror comics, Eerie, Creepy, and Vampirella. “The Nameless City”, “The Festival”, “The Call of Cthulhu” are included here. From the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter, to a rotting Massachusetts fishport, to the depths of the Antarctic Sea, the Elder Gods are rising.
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Genre:
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Short Stories
Comics
Graphic Novels
Adaptations
Literary
Cthulhu Mythos

Why this book:
I’m a fan of the Cthulhu Mythos and the eerie feel of Lovecraft stories.
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Favorite Scene / Quote/Concept:
In the preface, a Stephen King quote, “H. P. Lovecraft has yet to be surpassed as the twentieth century’s greatest practitioner of the classic horror tale.” High praise from one of only two or, maybe three, guys who could lay claim to that title.

Artist Joseph Maria Bea...said…”Lovecraft cannot be interpreted graphically, he is an example of literary subjectivism...The mind of the reader will generate its own monster in relation to psychic content reshuffled from their own culture and experience.” --I submit he is both right and wrong. But he misses the point that perspective is a personal connotation and this happens all the time. Thus Lovecraft, any monster, any author, anything is distilled and perceived by the end user to their own imagination and ability.

Plot Holes/Out of Character:
The devil beast-man under the church in The Festival hurls the sacrifice into the green flame. In the image, he hurls himself as well. But the text is unclear about whether that happens or not.

Hmm Moments:
The Nameless City seeking forbidden knowledge and forbidden places...Sometimes it’s not forbidden to keep things from you. Sometimes, it’s to keep Things from you.

Wisdom:
The Nameless City makes one think of a juxtaposed Tolkien quote, not all who wander are lost, but rather, not all who return are found.

Juxtaposition:
The use of shadow, darkness, and negative space in The Nameless City is incredible.

The Unexpected:
My vision of Cthulhu is more octopus and less spider than Moroto’s. His seems to have some clawed centipede in it too.
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Last Page Sound:
The twist in shadow, the story without end, to me, this is the essence of Lovecraft.

Glad I read this version of the stories.

Author Assessment:
Lovecraft’s stories are incredible, deep, and meaty. Moroto’s art adds to the tales. I was largely unaware of the work Moroto did in Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella. I’m sure I saw it and enjoyed it, but during the era when I read those, I wasn’t terribly appreciative of the artist, or even the writer. I was there for the story and the image. And, by and large, I was greatly pleased with them.

Maroto and Lovecraft lend themselves to staring sightlessly into the distance lost in thoughts not easily explained.

I need to find more of Moroto’s work.

Editorial Assessment:
Well edited.
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