Bitter Root Volume 1: Family Business
by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, Sanford Greene (Artist)
Bitter Root (Collections and Selections — Vol. 1 (1-5))
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Description
Once known as the greatest monster hunters of all time, the Sangerye family specialized in curing the souls of those infected by hate. But those days are fading. A terrible tragedy has claimed most of the family, leaving the surviving cousins divided between by the desire to cure monsters or to kill them. Now, though, there's a new breed of monster loose on the streets of Harlem, and the Sangerye family must either come together or watch the human race fall to untold evil.Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
I was going to give this book a 2-star rating after finishing the main feature, because despite the interesting start and showing us horror through an African American prism, the story quickly became a lot of slam-bang action scenes with one-dimensional characters fighting monsters. It felt like I was skipping all the other episodes in the season and just watching the cliffhanger finale of Supernatural. Who are these people and why are they all fighting?
But the book was saved by the many scholarly articles in the end matter. A lot of thought provoking notions were raised there that I hope the creators of the comics will start to integrate more fully into their narrative.
But the book was saved by the many scholarly articles in the end matter. A lot of thought provoking notions were raised there that I hope the creators of the comics will start to integrate more fully into their narrative.
This book was simply amazing. It is an extremely alternative history of the Harlem Renascence. In this world, people with a corrupted soul become these monsters that must be killed or must be cured. And being it’s the 1920’s and his is Harlem and most of the monsters were people who believed in lynching and segregation. But there is one family that is the best at making their bitter root brew that can save someone from this life. They work with the police and everything, because they want a better world. On its own, the story is amazing, and the artwork is so detailed. But add historical reference I knew nothing about, and I was googling “red summer”, 1919 deaths etc. This book, a historical fantasy about monster killing, read show more this reader down a research hole to learn about things not taught in schools. It makes the reader curious, and eager to learn more and only the best books can do that.
If you liked Ring Shout - then you would probably like this book. show less
If you liked Ring Shout - then you would probably like this book. show less
This is heavy on action but light on character development. The concept is cool--be sure to check out the essays at the end (at least if you happen upon the Hoopla edition)--but there's been a lot of media recently centered around similar themes/events (the new HBO Watchmen, P. Djeli Clark's [b: Ring Shout|49247242|Ring Shout|P. Djèlí Clark|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580134382l/49247242._SY75_.jpg|74693559], Lovecraft Country), and I'm not sure it will stand out in my memory over the long haul.
2019 "Once known as the greatest monster hunters of all time, the Sangerye family specialized in curing the souls of those infected by hate, but those days are fading" set in Harlem
My review of this book can be found on my Youtube Vlog at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKXG6qJ8lc
Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHKXG6qJ8lc
Enjoy!
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
2020 Hugo Eligible Graphic Stories
25 works; 3 members
2019 Hugo Eligible Graphic Stories
18 works; 1 member
Author Information
99+ Works 1,354 Members
10+ Works 304 Members
All Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Series
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2019-05
- People/Characters
- Etta Sangerye; Berg Manigo (Burgess Ezekial Manigo); Cullen Sangerye; Belinda "Blink" Sangerye; Walter Sylvester, Sr. (doctor); Eliza Knightsdale (show all 14); Ford Sangerye; Johnnie-Ray Knox; Officer Sullivan; Officer Samuels; Enoch Sangerye; Nora Sangerye; Alain LeRoy Locke; Zora Neale Hurston
- Important places
- Harlem, New York, New York, USA; Mississippi, USA
- Important events
- Harlem Renaissance; Tulsa Race Massacre; Harlem Riot
- Dedication
- For everyone who has stood up to the Jinoo. Keep fighting the monsters. - David
"For everyone who has stood up to the Jinoo. Keep fighting the monsters."
―David
Dedicated to my big brothers for introducing me to a world of heroes, monsters, & magic. And to my wife & kids for their love, support. - Chuck
"Dedicated to my big brothers for introducing me to a world of heroes, monsters, & magic. And to my wife & kids for their love, support."
―Chuck
To my wife and children for the support and thanks to God for opportunity for me and my creative brothers to fight the good fight. - Sanford
"To my wife and children for the support and thanks to God for opportunity for me and my creative brothers to fight the good fight."―Sanford - First words
- Harlem.
New York.
1924...
"C'mon, we can walk through the park, Ossie."
I hear tell the park ain't safe, Ruby. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)We can explain everything. But right now...right now we have to get ready. Hell is coming.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Hell is coming.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I applaud, personally and professionally, the creators of Bitter Root for revitalizing this important time in our history and for challenging all of us to dig deeper into our past in order to learn more about our future. - Blurbers
- Ramsey, Peter; Hudlin, Reginald; Bendis, Brian Michael
- Original language
- English
Classifications
- Genres
- Graphic Novels & Comics, Horror
- DDC/MDS
- 741.5 — Arts & recreation Drawing & decorative arts Drawing Comic books, graphic novels, fotonovelas, cartoons, caricatures, comic strips
- LCC
- PN6728 .B5 .W35 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Collections of general literature Comic books, strips, etc.
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 187
- Popularity
- 175,553
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (4.02)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
