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Green Wake #1
Green Wake Volume 1
The highly acclaimed, repeat sellout series from writer Kurtis J. Wiebe and artist Riley Rossmo is a riveting tale of loss and horror. In the forgotten town of Green Wake, a string of grisly mutilations leads Morley Mack on the trail of a young woman named Ariel, who is the prime suspect. But when a stranger with startling connections to Ariel arrives under mysterious circumstances, Morley unravels a dark plot with a surprising link to his past.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2011
3 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Kurtis J. Wiebe
182 books768 followersKurtis Wiebe is a Vancouver, Canada based author. The founder and CEO of Vast Vision Publishing, he comes from a two decades long career in comics and games. He is the co-creator of over ten original comic series and a content creator spanning podcasts, live streams and other digital media. His stories have garnered multiple industry awards including two coveted Shuster’s for best writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 6, 2021
Scratchy, monotone art. A story that wallows in its own melancholia, that never gripped me.
April 25, 2016
Two stars for the art only. Riley Rossmo is the artist on the current Constantine the Hellblazer comic, and I really enjoyed his art, so I thought I'd check this out. He does a great job of illustrating a crazy world and also does the coloring, which is a muted, earthy palette.
This writing, however, is just terrible. The plot is convoluted and the dialog is just bad. It's unclear what's going on at time, and the "horror" just isn't that scary. The reviewers that think this is a horrifying book must have never seen a basic episode of The Twilight Zone, because that's about as scary as this gets.
Complete waste of time and money on this one, but at least the art is nice. It looks like this book wasn't a success for Image. Small wonder.
This writing, however, is just terrible. The plot is convoluted and the dialog is just bad. It's unclear what's going on at time, and the "horror" just isn't that scary. The reviewers that think this is a horrifying book must have never seen a basic episode of The Twilight Zone, because that's about as scary as this gets.
Complete waste of time and money on this one, but at least the art is nice. It looks like this book wasn't a success for Image. Small wonder.
August 10, 2018
The kind of comic so weird and perfect that I feel it was written just for me. Everything about this opening story in Green Wake is weighted with the grief and regret of things we all know. Every page and moment drags us further down, and we go willingly.
It's a strange read, through a strange world, but it's worth it for the very human emotions at the core.
This stands a good chance of going the distance and landing in my Top 10 all time when the dust settles.
It's a strange read, through a strange world, but it's worth it for the very human emotions at the core.
This stands a good chance of going the distance and landing in my Top 10 all time when the dust settles.
October 5, 2019
Tak tohle bylo jako zjevení! 😮 V komiksu už mě něco jen tak nepřekvapí (jen tady na Goodreads mám v poličkách kolem 240 přečtených grafických novel), ale čas od času se objeví něco, co nadchne mé okoralé oko a srdce. Green Wake se to podařilo. 👍
Dobrý komiks dělají tři věci: nápad, kresba, scénář. Ty když se sejdou v super kvalitě, tak vzniká něco výjimečného (etalon je pro mě série Sandman). V Green Wake se to téměř podařilo - pouze o prsa zaostává scénář, který nevykouzlil solidní závěr a (zpětně) obsahuje i pár lapsů.
Ale jinak... hned od počátku na čtenáře zaútočí expresivní grafická stránka, která je do-ko-na-lá. Non plus ultra. Podobnou extázi jsem zažíval třeba také u Fell a částečně u Enigmy. Je prostě úžasný, jak je grafické vyjádření různorodé. Naštěstí... sláva odlišnosti!
Co se týče nápadu/scénáře, bylo to ze začátku lehce příbuzný (hlavně atmosférou) s právě zmíněným Fell. Ale pak začalo být čím dál jasnější, že tohle je přece jenom jiná kategorie, jiný žánr.
Normálně bych to označil jako spoiler, ale tady - protože je to velmi nejednoznačné a je to jen moje interpretace (a taky to chci vykřičet 😈) - to napálím napřímo: řekl bych, že jde o velmi originální verzi očistce. Dodneška si lámu hlavu, co znamenaly ty žáby. 🤔
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Podobné, vzdáleně připomínající komiksy:
Recenze Enigma ★★★★
Recenze Fell ★★★★
Dobrý komiks dělají tři věci: nápad, kresba, scénář. Ty když se sejdou v super kvalitě, tak vzniká něco výjimečného (etalon je pro mě série Sandman). V Green Wake se to téměř podařilo - pouze o prsa zaostává scénář, který nevykouzlil solidní závěr a (zpětně) obsahuje i pár lapsů.
Ale jinak... hned od počátku na čtenáře zaútočí expresivní grafická stránka, která je do-ko-na-lá. Non plus ultra. Podobnou extázi jsem zažíval třeba také u Fell a částečně u Enigmy. Je prostě úžasný, jak je grafické vyjádření různorodé. Naštěstí... sláva odlišnosti!
Co se týče nápadu/scénáře, bylo to ze začátku lehce příbuzný (hlavně atmosférou) s právě zmíněným Fell. Ale pak začalo být čím dál jasnější, že tohle je přece jenom jiná kategorie, jiný žánr.
Normálně bych to označil jako spoiler, ale tady - protože je to velmi nejednoznačné a je to jen moje interpretace (a taky to chci vykřičet 😈) - to napálím napřímo: řekl bych, že jde o velmi originální verzi očistce. Dodneška si lámu hlavu, co znamenaly ty žáby. 🤔
------------
Podobné, vzdáleně připomínající komiksy:
Recenze Enigma ★★★★
Recenze Fell ★★★★
September 16, 2014
All the elements I should in theory like - mystery, dark atmosphere,great artwork and a hint of the surreal - but weirdly, this book bored the arse off me. Nothing held my interest and it was a struggle to get to the end.
January 20, 2017
So there's a creepy town called Green Wake and a lot of people wandering around burdened by guilt, and possibly by being dead, but there's hot sex too. I could barely finish the first issue in this collecton--pretentious, trying to be arty, uninteresting.
December 2, 2013
This was ... hrm. I really liked the artwork?
February 24, 2020
This is one of those comics that is saved by its art.
Overall, this is basically just a Silent Hill rip off. However, it's better than anything with the Silent Hill name on it that's come out for the past fifteen years, so it gets a pass.
Basically, some dudes stuck in a mysterious town with weird crap going on investigate a series of murders. The writing, honestly, isn't the best. It lacks a lot of the subtlety that's needed to make a psychological horror comic like this work. Also, there were some monsters with really cool designs that showed up throughout this, but I feel like they were only thrown in because similar horror works have monsters. Their presence wasn't really explained or they just pop up out of nowhere and disappear into nothingness.
Like I said, the art saves this comic. The writing isn't absolutely fantastic, but the artwork is the best you could hope for in something like this. It's messy in the best kind of way. The comic is mostly various shades of green and yellow, so anytime another color shows up, it's a big deal. This comic turned me into a huge Riley Rossmo fan when I first read it years ago. I can't emphasize enough how good this artwork is.
Really, if you like horror or the Silent Hill games, then this is worth checking out.
Overall, this is basically just a Silent Hill rip off. However, it's better than anything with the Silent Hill name on it that's come out for the past fifteen years, so it gets a pass.
Basically, some dudes stuck in a mysterious town with weird crap going on investigate a series of murders. The writing, honestly, isn't the best. It lacks a lot of the subtlety that's needed to make a psychological horror comic like this work. Also, there were some monsters with really cool designs that showed up throughout this, but I feel like they were only thrown in because similar horror works have monsters. Their presence wasn't really explained or they just pop up out of nowhere and disappear into nothingness.
Like I said, the art saves this comic. The writing isn't absolutely fantastic, but the artwork is the best you could hope for in something like this. It's messy in the best kind of way. The comic is mostly various shades of green and yellow, so anytime another color shows up, it's a big deal. This comic turned me into a huge Riley Rossmo fan when I first read it years ago. I can't emphasize enough how good this artwork is.
Really, if you like horror or the Silent Hill games, then this is worth checking out.
March 22, 2021
A dark, gothic horror/noir/detective story filled with mystery and drenched in atmosphere.
Loved this when it originally came out, and still holds up on a re-read. It's a shame it didn't get more issues, since the end of this first volume marks the half-way point in the overall story (it ran for 10 issues, but they were initially hoping to do 25). My only real nitpick is that there are a few moments where something might not make immediate sense and requires a bit more deciphering of the artwork or re-reading of a panel or two. But this was a great start to a series that's stuck with me long after my first read many years ago.
Loved this when it originally came out, and still holds up on a re-read. It's a shame it didn't get more issues, since the end of this first volume marks the half-way point in the overall story (it ran for 10 issues, but they were initially hoping to do 25). My only real nitpick is that there are a few moments where something might not make immediate sense and requires a bit more deciphering of the artwork or re-reading of a panel or two. But this was a great start to a series that's stuck with me long after my first read many years ago.
July 26, 2022
This was a very unique graphic novel. In this first volume, we meet a man named Carl who used to live with a girl named Ariel. Their relationship turned sour, and then one day they are in a car accident and Ariel dies. Carl can't forgive himself. One day he wakes up in a place called "Green Wake" which I think is just a journey of the mind - you can leave there by going to Babylon or going to the river. Carl finds Ariel (who has become some sort of murdering monster trying to get back feeling anything) and then he becomes a monster. It was all a bit confusing, but I thought it was original and had good graphics.
December 2, 2017
Čekal jsem že po druhém přečtení změním názor ale ne, Green Wake pořád zůstává silným čtivem který se zabývá tím jestli si hlavní hrdina dokáže odpustit. I přes menší dialogové kiksy kterých jsem si teď všímal více než napoprvé se jedná o atmosferickou záležitost kterou skvěle podtrhuje kresba Riley Rossma který se tu naprosto vyřádil. Pro fanoušky Twin Peaks a Lovecrafta naprostá povinnost.
+Příběh
+Postavy
+Atmosféra
+Kresba
-Místy dialogové kiksy
-Občas dokáže být matoucí
+Příběh
+Postavy
+Atmosféra
+Kresba
-Místy dialogové kiksy
-Občas dokáže být matoucí
March 7, 2019
A perplexing story paired with extraordinary un-fluid art that replicates the mind of a person dealing with loss and confusion; beautiful. An amazing team. By far one of my favourite comics.
It's for people who don't mind being put through a conscious-bend, as it is heavy on loss, disorientation, guilt, responsibility; it is not a light read for those who can identify.
It's for people who don't mind being put through a conscious-bend, as it is heavy on loss, disorientation, guilt, responsibility; it is not a light read for those who can identify.
July 4, 2022
Gorgeous art, giving it an extra star. Irrelevant story. Men chasing a mysterious woman, the only woman in the story (?), yup she is naked and bloody and generally an object rather than subject of the story, yeesh. It may at some point kick back at those tropes, but I couldn't get into it enough to find out.
January 7, 2017
No surprises in here. A man who is trying to come to terms with the death of his wife. The art is special though. A bit like Templesmith.
May 2, 2020
Weird book but an ok read. Would I read the next one... Not in a hurry but yes
July 17, 2021
Creepy
Crazy
Wonderful, art and story.
Crazy
Wonderful, art and story.
July 4, 2025
Great independent story along with fantastic art. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2024
You have to be prepared to be sucked into a grief spiral to fully appreciate this read.
The nature of Green Wake is very intangible, anything could happen. It is a sort of purgatory without rules.
Although it may sound whimsical and full of imaginative freedom, this book is very dark and deals with very real to life themes.
The main character (Morley)'s thoughts were used as narrations in much of the book, his prose was thought-provoking. Many a times I found myself pausing to fully digest what he was saying and think up my own opinion; I also paused numerous times just to savour Rossmo's fantastic art.
I really liked the cop-solving-mystery aspect of this book. I felt that Morley & Krieger go together really well. Their friendship is something I enjoy reading about. Green Wake is a well-rounded book. It covers horror, friendship, emotional struggle, love and much more.
Frogs play a large part in the book. After doing a little research, it turns out that the frogs were not something of random imagination, they are in fact symbols of Egyptian culture linking to the idea of regeneration and rebirth, which is essentially what Green Wake is all about.
The art is faultless. Rossmo's inking is water-colouresque, suitable for the very abstract nature of Green Wake itself. Rossmo does not hold back. In true Rossmo fashion, the art was dark and messy but also very graphic in assistance to the shocking points of the story. It really gave the suspense scenes that extra kick. The art also captured the emotional depth of the book very well.
The only problem with this book is that I found it a little confusing at certain points in the beginning. However, my confusion was quickly cleared up as the story progressed.
The nature of Green Wake is very intangible, anything could happen. It is a sort of purgatory without rules.
Although it may sound whimsical and full of imaginative freedom, this book is very dark and deals with very real to life themes.
The main character (Morley)'s thoughts were used as narrations in much of the book, his prose was thought-provoking. Many a times I found myself pausing to fully digest what he was saying and think up my own opinion; I also paused numerous times just to savour Rossmo's fantastic art.
I really liked the cop-solving-mystery aspect of this book. I felt that Morley & Krieger go together really well. Their friendship is something I enjoy reading about. Green Wake is a well-rounded book. It covers horror, friendship, emotional struggle, love and much more.
Frogs play a large part in the book. After doing a little research, it turns out that the frogs were not something of random imagination, they are in fact symbols of Egyptian culture linking to the idea of regeneration and rebirth, which is essentially what Green Wake is all about.
The art is faultless. Rossmo's inking is water-colouresque, suitable for the very abstract nature of Green Wake itself. Rossmo does not hold back. In true Rossmo fashion, the art was dark and messy but also very graphic in assistance to the shocking points of the story. It really gave the suspense scenes that extra kick. The art also captured the emotional depth of the book very well.
The only problem with this book is that I found it a little confusing at certain points in the beginning. However, my confusion was quickly cleared up as the story progressed.
June 27, 2013
This book is an intersting take on the idea of a detective story. How exactly does one become a detective, if for instance there is no communication in a community, and the community itself is largely an antagonistic purgatory? The art work is interesting, and reminiscent of the stylings of RM Guera, with vivd strokes, and heavy grit. Although, it does occaisionally become too clouded and confusing as to what is being depicted. There are a few motifs that aren't necessarily explored in as much depth as i would like, but one would assume that happens in later issues. Most importantly, i think the story has a few interesting points as far as the role of memory, and how guilt or grief can shape the way we live our lives. I am looking forward ot the second trade paperback, but it is also understandable why this particular series never made it past the second story arc. (only 10 of the planned 25 issues)
January 16, 2015
Rating: 2 1/2 Stars
Although visually stunning, Green Wake Volume 1 ultimately left me unsatisfied.
Although the book maintained a level of suspense, horror and mystery, I never felt the pace or emotional intensity change at all. It was all went at one deterring speed of gloom and doom and misery.
This first volume left more questions than answers, and the answers that were given were vague and unhelpful.
But the VISUALS!!!!
The art in this book make it all worth it. Colour is used really effectively. The artist, Riley Rossmo, uses a loosely monochromatic colour scheme, a myriad of murky greens, blues, and black that really makes the red he uses to highlight pop. Gorgeous panels - watercolour, perhaps? - fill each page, and really show a mastery of negative space. The art is unique and full of movement.
I would definitely recommend looking it up in the library, if only for the pictures, but hey, maybe you'll connect more with it than I did.
Although visually stunning, Green Wake Volume 1 ultimately left me unsatisfied.
Although the book maintained a level of suspense, horror and mystery, I never felt the pace or emotional intensity change at all. It was all went at one deterring speed of gloom and doom and misery.
This first volume left more questions than answers, and the answers that were given were vague and unhelpful.
But the VISUALS!!!!
The art in this book make it all worth it. Colour is used really effectively. The artist, Riley Rossmo, uses a loosely monochromatic colour scheme, a myriad of murky greens, blues, and black that really makes the red he uses to highlight pop. Gorgeous panels - watercolour, perhaps? - fill each page, and really show a mastery of negative space. The art is unique and full of movement.
I would definitely recommend looking it up in the library, if only for the pictures, but hey, maybe you'll connect more with it than I did.
January 21, 2013
Green Wake took me in without notice.
I was lured by the artwork of the vol.1's cover and convinced to buy it (along with vol.2, but I like vol.1 better) after just a few seconds looking at the rest of it. The final blow was given by one of the comic book store's guys, Marco, who told me the gist of it without spoiling it for me.
When I finally picked it up, after reading Wiebe's Grim Leaper, I was amazed at how much deeper the story was than I expected it to be and, mostly, at how close to home it stroke. It's all about human relationships and feelings of guilt, despair and heartbreak. It's about trying to forget, and trying to forgive - others, but also yourself. Mostly, yourself.
Green Wake still has me.
I was lured by the artwork of the vol.1's cover and convinced to buy it (along with vol.2, but I like vol.1 better) after just a few seconds looking at the rest of it. The final blow was given by one of the comic book store's guys, Marco, who told me the gist of it without spoiling it for me.
When I finally picked it up, after reading Wiebe's Grim Leaper, I was amazed at how much deeper the story was than I expected it to be and, mostly, at how close to home it stroke. It's all about human relationships and feelings of guilt, despair and heartbreak. It's about trying to forget, and trying to forgive - others, but also yourself. Mostly, yourself.
Green Wake still has me.
November 11, 2011
It's hard to say anything about this series without giving away important plot points. Even describing what Green Wake is would reveal too much.
All I can say is that quality horror in the comics medium is hard to come by, even in what seems like a period of growth for the genre. I think I'm gong to add this series to my pull list.
If you like spooky stories about other planes of existence, you might enjoy GREEN WAKE. Also if you like frogs.
All I can say is that quality horror in the comics medium is hard to come by, even in what seems like a period of growth for the genre. I think I'm gong to add this series to my pull list.
If you like spooky stories about other planes of existence, you might enjoy GREEN WAKE. Also if you like frogs.
April 26, 2012
This is really a 3.5 star review. I went with 4 stars because the story is interesting, but it doesn't feel compelling. I think the story this book is trying to tell may have been too big for the format. Things feel rushed and glossed over when the brooding atmosphere and complex (bordering on convoluted) mystery at the heart of Green Wake demands a more considerable slice of our time and attention than is expended here.
January 27, 2012
This book is truly amazing and really creepy. Keeps you guessing until the end and then still a bit more. Sadly there will only be one more volume of it but still its better to of had and loved then never have right? Oh if you easily are freaked out by frogs you might want to hold someone's hand while reading this.
December 6, 2012
Green Wake starts off slow but around issue two or three you'll be hooked. The story fills one with a strong sense of loss and ephemerality. Rossmo's art only enhances this. While it has horror elements it's not all that scary so much as it's unsettling. If you like Silent Hill or noirish stuff, you'll dig this.
March 18, 2012
If regrets could feast on your soul, this would be how. This horror story is a winner. Dark, moody, grotesque, surreal, but not overly gross. i want to know more about what Green Wake is and how the denizens of it got there.
July 26, 2012
Very dark, creepy and painted in acidic green. The gut wrenching bitterness seemed to mirror my own feelings at the time, (or is it the other way around?) and so I am not sure it provided the escapist thrill other books might offer, but it was cathartic none the less.
One hopes, ...
One hopes, ...
July 20, 2012
Really, really weird, but it really, really works, at least in this introductory volume. The marriage of story and art is just about perfect. Unfortunately the title only ran for 10 issues, so Volumes I and II will give you the entire story. Can't wait to start Volume II.
September 9, 2011
Assuming this is collecting issues 1-5.
February 21, 2012
Pretty cool read. I thought it got better as it progressed, rather than starting strong and fizzling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews