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Severed
12 year-old Jack Garron runs away from home to find his biological father, a wayward minstrel. Along the way he meets up with a traveling salesman whose winning smile is fake, beneath which hide his real teeth... jagged spikes that he uses to eat children! Eisner Award-Winning Writer Scott Snyder (Batman, Swamp Thing, American Vampire), Scott Tuft, and New York Times Bestselling Artist Attila Futaki (The Lightning Thief) bring you the collected paperback that everyone has been talking about - Severed! Collects Severed #1-7.
184 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2011
99 people are currently reading
1557 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,779 books5,121 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
February 6, 2022
Been hankering for a comic where a paranormal serial killer cannibalizes kids?
Awww, yeah. Then, boy oh boy, do I ever have the comic for you!
You wanna know what made this work for me?
Well, I'm going to tell you anyway.
It opens with an old man getting a note/letter from someone which prompts him to run outside, and then he begins retelling the story of the thing that took his arm when he was a child. You might think that by letting you know right off the bat that a) the kid in the story survives & b) he loses an arm, it probably takes away some of the tension or mystery to the story.
And maybe it does! <--b/c I'm not an expert in other people's preferences.
But it also reminded me of those old Columbo mysteries where you knew who the bad guy was at the start of the show, and then you watched the detective work his magic while you found out why and how they did what they did.
The slow backward reveal.
I liked it then, I liked it now.
Alright, so this was the story of how this ungrateful little dumbass got his arm eaten by an evil monster.
Oh, Anne! How can you say that?
Because here's this idiot boy who has a warm, safe home and a mother who dotes on him, right?
But instead of being happy, he leaves in the middle of the night and hitches a train to parts unknown to find his real father. And the entire time he's gone, not once does he stop to worry about the woman who took care of him, fed him, and loved him. See, he found out that 'this woman' adopted him, and he wants to be with his blood. Having found out that he was dropped off at an orphanage, he proceeded to track down his father, and they'd been in communication for about a year. Obviously, this man cared a great deal about the boy if he's willing to let him hobo it across the country to 'meet up' with him at one of his gigs.
A part of me felt bad for him because he was just a stupid kid who was about to learn a very hard life lesson. But another part of me was like - Well if a monster has to eat SOME kid's arm, at least it's not one that appreciated his mother - so I kind of felt better about the whole thing. <--yes, I am a kind of an asshole
There's actually quite a bit of meat to this one (<-- pun intended) and I don't want to ruin it by saying anything too spoilery. Considering the subject matter, it's not a particularly gory book, so if you're kind of squeamish (like me!) you should be alright with this one. I mean, provided you want to read a coming of age story about a boy and the flesh-eating monster who teaches him to stop being a douchebag to his mother.
Big thanks once again to my sinister sidekick for the gift basket of horror comics!
Also, in case I haven't drummed the point across enough, be nice to the woman who raised you!
- Love, Mom
Awww, yeah. Then, boy oh boy, do I ever have the comic for you!
You wanna know what made this work for me?
Well, I'm going to tell you anyway.
It opens with an old man getting a note/letter from someone which prompts him to run outside, and then he begins retelling the story of the thing that took his arm when he was a child. You might think that by letting you know right off the bat that a) the kid in the story survives & b) he loses an arm, it probably takes away some of the tension or mystery to the story.
And maybe it does! <--b/c I'm not an expert in other people's preferences.
But it also reminded me of those old Columbo mysteries where you knew who the bad guy was at the start of the show, and then you watched the detective work his magic while you found out why and how they did what they did.
The slow backward reveal.
I liked it then, I liked it now.
Alright, so this was the story of how this ungrateful little dumbass got his arm eaten by an evil monster.
Oh, Anne! How can you say that?
Because here's this idiot boy who has a warm, safe home and a mother who dotes on him, right?
But instead of being happy, he leaves in the middle of the night and hitches a train to parts unknown to find his real father. And the entire time he's gone, not once does he stop to worry about the woman who took care of him, fed him, and loved him. See, he found out that 'this woman' adopted him, and he wants to be with his blood. Having found out that he was dropped off at an orphanage, he proceeded to track down his father, and they'd been in communication for about a year. Obviously, this man cared a great deal about the boy if he's willing to let him hobo it across the country to 'meet up' with him at one of his gigs.
A part of me felt bad for him because he was just a stupid kid who was about to learn a very hard life lesson. But another part of me was like - Well if a monster has to eat SOME kid's arm, at least it's not one that appreciated his mother - so I kind of felt better about the whole thing. <--yes, I am a kind of an asshole
There's actually quite a bit of meat to this one (<-- pun intended) and I don't want to ruin it by saying anything too spoilery. Considering the subject matter, it's not a particularly gory book, so if you're kind of squeamish (like me!) you should be alright with this one. I mean, provided you want to read a coming of age story about a boy and the flesh-eating monster who teaches him to stop being a douchebag to his mother.
Big thanks once again to my sinister sidekick for the gift basket of horror comics!
Also, in case I haven't drummed the point across enough, be nice to the woman who raised you!
- Love, Mom
February 10, 2017
Scott Snyder is no hack. His stories are carefully mapped out, his characters developed with purpose and patience, his dialogues competently written (if a bit clichéd in places). He generally knows how to set a mood, how to transition from one scene to the next, how to create effective cliffhangers. All this is evident in Severed, Snyder’s stand-alone horror-suspense story set in 1916, and it is even complimented with appropriately dark, realistically rendered artwork by Attila Futaki.
And yet Severed turns out to be a major disappointment. Despite the creators’ considerable abilities, the story never comes to life. Part of the problem is its lack of originality, that is, the degree to which it has been constructed around well-worn movie formulas. Anybody who has not been living under a rock for the last fifteen years is all too familiar with the book's torture-porn-style depictions of sadism (meat hooks, etc.), for example.
More importantly, though, the creators fail to deliver the kind of suspense their story relies on. Severed tries so hard to be a movie that it hardly ever takes advantage of the comic-book medium’s unique language, the only notable exception being a blade that appears to slice not only the skin of a character but also the page it is printed on. Of course, comic books can ultimately never be movies, and the narrative just ends up feeling dull and lifeless, almost like an abandoned storyboard.
I enjoyed the experimental playfulness of Snyder's The Wake and the diligent craftsmanship of American Vampire and Batman, but the rigid by-the-numbers suspense of Severed can’t hold a candle to the movies it tries to emulate - not to contemporary torture-porn of the Martyrs or Inside variety, and certainly not to suspense classics such as Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt, Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter or Thompson’s Cape Fear. In fact, I cannot think of a single reason why anybody would want to read Severed with those movies around.
And yet Severed turns out to be a major disappointment. Despite the creators’ considerable abilities, the story never comes to life. Part of the problem is its lack of originality, that is, the degree to which it has been constructed around well-worn movie formulas. Anybody who has not been living under a rock for the last fifteen years is all too familiar with the book's torture-porn-style depictions of sadism (meat hooks, etc.), for example.
More importantly, though, the creators fail to deliver the kind of suspense their story relies on. Severed tries so hard to be a movie that it hardly ever takes advantage of the comic-book medium’s unique language, the only notable exception being a blade that appears to slice not only the skin of a character but also the page it is printed on. Of course, comic books can ultimately never be movies, and the narrative just ends up feeling dull and lifeless, almost like an abandoned storyboard.
I enjoyed the experimental playfulness of Snyder's The Wake and the diligent craftsmanship of American Vampire and Batman, but the rigid by-the-numbers suspense of Severed can’t hold a candle to the movies it tries to emulate - not to contemporary torture-porn of the Martyrs or Inside variety, and certainly not to suspense classics such as Hitchcock’s Shadow of a Doubt, Laughton’s The Night of the Hunter or Thompson’s Cape Fear. In fact, I cannot think of a single reason why anybody would want to read Severed with those movies around.
May 6, 2019
Creepily cinematic, "Severed" tells the story that any capable filmmaker could translate successfully unto the silver screen. But... why would he? It's all been seen & done before. Perhaps the intimacy created between the monster and the runaway could equal more than just what we have here... But actually it's nonetheless a ruthless yarn in which instances of foreboding are robust, and the reader's sense of irony (an animal's carcass & bones on a plate, a shadow upon a character's thin, young arm...) is all lit up like the inside of a cadaverous jack-o-lantern.
February 26, 2015
Gotta give a shout-out to Kat for providing these friggin' awesome banners for our shallow comic buddy-reads. You just keep killin'it home-girl.
Well, not my favorite Scott Snyder book. I’m sure not being a “horror” guy didn’t help. Just not my bag. But it was still a decent read and overall I enjoyed it. Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft put their own spin on the serial killer genre with this one. Severed did have some genuine tension in a scene involving a bear trap and, like Mike, the beginning of chapter 5 had me going. Sam beat me to the punch pointing out the similarities to Road to Perdition (which I liked). Both the early 1900’s scenery and the trip young Jack takes throughout the story reminded me of that book as well. And Sam, thanks for the Albert Fish reference. That’s one Wikipedia page I could have gone to my grave having never read. What a sick fuck. I can certainly see the similarities though. Actually, maybe had I read about Albert Fish first, I would have been a little more freaked out by the killer in this story.
The art was really nice. Attila Futaki (great name) does a good job and obviously did his research. Everything about his art really feels 1916. I would certainly pick up something by him again.
I guess I just wasn’t really all that afraid of the killer in this one and it reminded me of a couple of other “bogeymen” stories I read when I was younger and more into the horror stuff. Still, it was good. I liked the ending and some of the twists the story took while getting there. I would definitely recommend it to those interested in serial killer fiction or horror stories. You might want to read up on Albert Fish first, then give it a swing. If not, you may wanna skip that Albert Fish wiki page altogether. He defines twisted son of a bitch.
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December 24, 2017
Nice artwork, good story but far too predictable ending.
October 28, 2024
4.5 stars ...
An excellent story ...
especially this time of year.
Really loved the artwork, too.
An excellent story ...
especially this time of year.
Really loved the artwork, too.
September 7, 2020
Pronto la reseña.
October 29, 2018
Remember a time when Scott Snyder could actually write great comics, and Image published something other than bland dystopian sci-fi with a political agenda almost exclusively? Well, Severed is a comic from that magical time. Set in 1916 America, it tells the story of a 12 year-old Jack, an orphan who runs away from his adoptive home to chase the dream of playing the fiddle with his birth father. Little did he know that the road ahead of him is going to be full of horrors...
Severed is absolutely fantastic. I love the atmosphere of the 1910's America, that era has a unique charm and romance to it, but it's also wide open for so many horror possibilities, from regular human cruelty and survival of the fittest to something much more primal and disturbing, like the nameless villain of this book — he has a bit of a supernatural touch to make him that much more menacing, but he also could just as easily be a real-life serial killer, which is a terrifying thought all on its own. And I don't know about you, but I am personally so sick of all the unimaginative dystopian future sci-fi and/or fantasy settings that are plaguing most current indie comics, especially the ones coming from Image, so I was all about this low-tech 1916 horror road trip throughout the US.
I can't praise the writing enough. The story is gripping, the storytelling is incredibly tight, there is no bloat, no meandering, and the suspense is through the roof. Every story beat, every plot element is there for a reason, and in the end all of it comes together for an earned emotional finale. I cared about every main character, and when some of them were killed off it genuinely hurt. The villain is absolutely brutal and frightening, and like I already said above, his methods of stalking and killing his prey are so believable that he could easily be a horrifying real life serial killer. It amazes me that Scott Snyder could have fallen from such a creative height to the flat-out incompetence we are getting from him for the last several years. What happened, dude? How could this happen to you?
The artwork by Attila Futaki is just perfect for this book. He depicts 1916 America in all of its glory, from busy and messy streets of Chicago to the rural beauty of the American countryside, adding so much depth and flavour to the story. Character designs are also great, especially the subtle but macabre look of the main villain.
Overall, Severed is one of the best horror comics I've ever read, and one of Scott Snyder's greatest writing achievements. Yes, it's depressing that he now writes some barely readable, overwrought crap for DC and still gets critical praise for it for some reason, but at least there will always be the backlog of his early stuff where you can find gems like this book. Severed is highly recommended, and is a great pick for the Halloween season.
Severed is absolutely fantastic. I love the atmosphere of the 1910's America, that era has a unique charm and romance to it, but it's also wide open for so many horror possibilities, from regular human cruelty and survival of the fittest to something much more primal and disturbing, like the nameless villain of this book — he has a bit of a supernatural touch to make him that much more menacing, but he also could just as easily be a real-life serial killer, which is a terrifying thought all on its own. And I don't know about you, but I am personally so sick of all the unimaginative dystopian future sci-fi and/or fantasy settings that are plaguing most current indie comics, especially the ones coming from Image, so I was all about this low-tech 1916 horror road trip throughout the US.
I can't praise the writing enough. The story is gripping, the storytelling is incredibly tight, there is no bloat, no meandering, and the suspense is through the roof. Every story beat, every plot element is there for a reason, and in the end all of it comes together for an earned emotional finale. I cared about every main character, and when some of them were killed off it genuinely hurt. The villain is absolutely brutal and frightening, and like I already said above, his methods of stalking and killing his prey are so believable that he could easily be a horrifying real life serial killer. It amazes me that Scott Snyder could have fallen from such a creative height to the flat-out incompetence we are getting from him for the last several years. What happened, dude? How could this happen to you?
The artwork by Attila Futaki is just perfect for this book. He depicts 1916 America in all of its glory, from busy and messy streets of Chicago to the rural beauty of the American countryside, adding so much depth and flavour to the story. Character designs are also great, especially the subtle but macabre look of the main villain.
Overall, Severed is one of the best horror comics I've ever read, and one of Scott Snyder's greatest writing achievements. Yes, it's depressing that he now writes some barely readable, overwrought crap for DC and still gets critical praise for it for some reason, but at least there will always be the backlog of his early stuff where you can find gems like this book. Severed is highly recommended, and is a great pick for the Halloween season.
December 8, 2012
America, 1916, and 13 year old Jack Garron is running away from his adopted mother’s home in search of his biological father, a fiddler who abandoned him as a baby. But there is a monster in a suit, the Nightmare, who is stalking him as he stalks all children he wants to eat and Jack is next up on the menu...
Scott Snyder steps out of DC and teams up with long-time friend Scott Tuft and artist extraordinaire Attilla Futaki to craft a riveting horror story set on the lonely roads and abandoned country houses of a forgotten America. The story constantly exceeded my expectations: I thought certain characters were going to make it to the end only for them to die along the way - brutally - and I even forgot the opening few pages of Jack 40 years in the future until the final showdown between Jack and the Nightmare, reminding me that Jack’s troubles were far from over.
The story is beautifully drawn by Attilla Futaki, an artist I’d never heard of but will definitely look out for in the future. He convincingly captures 1916 America with it’s box cars, bustling but filthy Chicago streets, as well as the beauty of the American countryside with its endless roads, meandering dirt paths, and decaying old farm houses. His art elevated the already gripping story to a higher level.
Snyder and Tuft throw the traditional cat and mouse tale that so many horror books/films have used out of the window and have them instead stick side by side for most of the book, the mouse unaware of the cat until it’s too late. The brilliance of this choice means that every little incident threatens to reveal the monster making for an incredibly tense and terrifying read - perfect for a horror story. I started this book with the intention of reading a few pages before putting it down and heading out but wound up instead reading it all in one sitting.
“Severed” is the best horror book I’ve read in a long while. The road journey reminded me of “Road to Perdition” while the horror elements seemed taken from real life - the disturbing case of Albert Fish came to mind. Rarely is horror so captivating and exciting as this, making “Severed” a must-read for all fans of the genre and any comics fan looking for an entertaining and thrilling read. This is definitely one of the highlights of the comics year.
Scott Snyder steps out of DC and teams up with long-time friend Scott Tuft and artist extraordinaire Attilla Futaki to craft a riveting horror story set on the lonely roads and abandoned country houses of a forgotten America. The story constantly exceeded my expectations: I thought certain characters were going to make it to the end only for them to die along the way - brutally - and I even forgot the opening few pages of Jack 40 years in the future until the final showdown between Jack and the Nightmare, reminding me that Jack’s troubles were far from over.
The story is beautifully drawn by Attilla Futaki, an artist I’d never heard of but will definitely look out for in the future. He convincingly captures 1916 America with it’s box cars, bustling but filthy Chicago streets, as well as the beauty of the American countryside with its endless roads, meandering dirt paths, and decaying old farm houses. His art elevated the already gripping story to a higher level.
Snyder and Tuft throw the traditional cat and mouse tale that so many horror books/films have used out of the window and have them instead stick side by side for most of the book, the mouse unaware of the cat until it’s too late. The brilliance of this choice means that every little incident threatens to reveal the monster making for an incredibly tense and terrifying read - perfect for a horror story. I started this book with the intention of reading a few pages before putting it down and heading out but wound up instead reading it all in one sitting.
“Severed” is the best horror book I’ve read in a long while. The road journey reminded me of “Road to Perdition” while the horror elements seemed taken from real life - the disturbing case of Albert Fish came to mind. Rarely is horror so captivating and exciting as this, making “Severed” a must-read for all fans of the genre and any comics fan looking for an entertaining and thrilling read. This is definitely one of the highlights of the comics year.
January 18, 2013
The first thing that struck me was the mood this book sets. Between the sparse narration (explicit foreshadowing), the relative innocence of the young characters and the painted, rich look of the art, it's hard not to get immersed in an old-timey (not Powell's The Goon, more like Norman Rockwell), relaxed atmosphere.
I first encountered Snyder with Iron Man Noir, and I thought he was being entirely too clever for himself there. In this book, the writing voice seems entirely natural and consistent with my impression of the times and people he's conjured up.
Once this story really gets rolling - all the pieces on the board - it gets plain unsettling. I'm actually turning the pages with a real sense of dread, not knowing how or if the protagonist will even survive this. It's not easy to set this kind of tone and let it linger just so - not so much it's heavy-handed, not so little you feel the shift in tone when the horror arrives again.
The first page of chapter five is a nice touch - very well executed by both writer and artist.
I first encountered Snyder with Iron Man Noir, and I thought he was being entirely too clever for himself there. In this book, the writing voice seems entirely natural and consistent with my impression of the times and people he's conjured up.
Once this story really gets rolling - all the pieces on the board - it gets plain unsettling. I'm actually turning the pages with a real sense of dread, not knowing how or if the protagonist will even survive this. It's not easy to set this kind of tone and let it linger just so - not so much it's heavy-handed, not so little you feel the shift in tone when the horror arrives again.
The first page of chapter five is a nice touch - very well executed by both writer and artist.
October 10, 2024
Omg 😳
Well this was more graphic than I expected! I loved it! The story was well written and the art matched the tone of the story perfectly! Jack was such an awesome character! 5 stars!
Well this was more graphic than I expected! I loved it! The story was well written and the art matched the tone of the story perfectly! Jack was such an awesome character! 5 stars!
February 25, 2016
3,5 stars
Scary, disturbing and the single issues covers are just amazing, but the story is not much original at all.
Scary, disturbing and the single issues covers are just amazing, but the story is not much original at all.
April 10, 2018
Another book where I wish Goodreads allowed for 1/2 stars. I liked this book a lot, and sometimes I think 3 star ratings are viewed negatively here. But, this is a good book ya'll!
It wasn't as scary as the front cover blurbs would have you believe, but it definitely had some horrific elements, and I really liked following Jack's tale.
He was a likeable(ish), naive(ish), and friendly(ish) character. And he was also younger (12) than most characters I read and made some seriously foolish decisions that caused him a lot of heartache and fear. Lessons learned for sure in this bind up.
Anyway, I don't want to spoil anything but the Goodreads synopsis gives the jist of the story. I recommend reading that if you're interested. Just know, that if you choose to read this story, you're in for a heck of a ride with young Jack as he makes some pretty twelve year oldish mistakes.
Definitely going to be checking out more from Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft in the future, and I absolutely loved the creepiness of the artwork (thanks to Attila Futaki - will definitely find more work by them too).
It wasn't as scary as the front cover blurbs would have you believe, but it definitely had some horrific elements, and I really liked following Jack's tale.
He was a likeable(ish), naive(ish), and friendly(ish) character. And he was also younger (12) than most characters I read and made some seriously foolish decisions that caused him a lot of heartache and fear. Lessons learned for sure in this bind up.
Anyway, I don't want to spoil anything but the Goodreads synopsis gives the jist of the story. I recommend reading that if you're interested. Just know, that if you choose to read this story, you're in for a heck of a ride with young Jack as he makes some pretty twelve year oldish mistakes.
Definitely going to be checking out more from Scott Snyder and Scott Tuft in the future, and I absolutely loved the creepiness of the artwork (thanks to Attila Futaki - will definitely find more work by them too).
November 3, 2017
Scott Snyder certainly does horror comics well, and this is no exception to that. It’s a disturbingly creepy sort of southern gothic comic about a serial killer who cannibalizes children. And at the same time it also manages to be a good coming of age story.
September 25, 2025
A centuries-old serial killer who cannibalizes children?! Now that's scary!
November 10, 2016
Severed, ambientada en los estados unidos de principios de siglo, cuenta la historia de Jack Garron, un niño de 12 años que se entera de que es adoptado y se escapa de casa para buscar a su padre y ganarse la vida como violinista junto a él... pero el mundo real es muy distinto a como se lo imagina y descubrirá el verdadero terror en su camino.
Similar en su estructura a los viejos cuentos con moraleja que se contaba a los niños para que no hablaran con extraños, no se alejaran de casa, etc... pero con un ambiente realista que lo hace mucho más terrorífico, a lo que contribuye el estilo de dibujo de futaki... atmosferas oscuras, rostros terroríficos pero siempre realistas... buscando lo terrorífico en el mundo real, no en la fantasía
Similar en su estructura a los viejos cuentos con moraleja que se contaba a los niños para que no hablaran con extraños, no se alejaran de casa, etc... pero con un ambiente realista que lo hace mucho más terrorífico, a lo que contribuye el estilo de dibujo de futaki... atmosferas oscuras, rostros terroríficos pero siempre realistas... buscando lo terrorífico en el mundo real, no en la fantasía
February 16, 2023
The art was absolutely fantastic, as were the characters! I really enjoyed this comic and kept me on the edge of my seat for a while.
December 8, 2012
Here's a prime example of the sort of shit I hate in comics: The generic, by-the-numbers script, with the same old horror tropes and no attempt to break from them, illustrated by a competent artist that doesn't even get enough chances at showing off his talent. But hey, it's Scott Snyder, so of course the guys down at the comic shop love to sing hymns and sacrifice goats over this one since HE CAN DO NO WRONG. The final result is an incredibly safe comic that doesn't take any chances, and tries to be as cinematic as possible.
I have to admit not being familiar with Attila Futaki or Greg Guilhaumond, credited with doing the pencil/inks and colors respectively. A quick Google search shows Futaki is the artist of the Percy Jackson comics, and that Greg Guilhaumond is some sort of phantom entity residing in France. I do appreciate their work-- this comic has a nice watercolor style (I believe some pages may actually painted, but mostly it's digital coloring with textures added to give it a more hand-created look) and there are moments that shine. Many of the pages showing Jack and Sam wandering the city are beautiful. That said, many of the more tense moments are just too damn dark. In an attempt to follow the cinematic rules of horror from films like Jaws (it's what you don't see that's frightening har har) the blacks are raised so that the reader can just barely make out the gruesome details. It's annoying, and even Scott McCloud can handle horror better than this.
I do not follow superhero comics, but it is my understanding that Scott Snyder is currently doing Batman, was DC's hot new thang for 2012, and is just popular enough to get into who-has-the-bigger-dick wars with Rob Liefield on Twitter. Co-writing is Scott Tuft, apparently some dude with a background in film, and perhaps the real reason this comic suffers.
See, I'm sad to report that Severed reads like a failed attempt at writing a Supernatural episode. The story is about a boy who runs away from his adoptive mother to follow his dream of finding his biological father so that they can be hobo musicians together. He gets a little hobo girlfriend that tries to keep him out of trouble. Both are then followed by a supernatural cannibal that has a hard-on for children. Cool.
Competent but cliched dialogue, interesting character development tossed aside for the sake of making the cannibal seem more threatening which only succeeds in creating the sort of boogeyman you'd expect from Goosebumps, not a single plot twist you won't see coming, and bookended with pointless scenes of Jack as an adult.
But really, why make this a comic at all? If you aren't going to take advantage of the medium and only turn out a story that might as well have been made into an ABC Family Halloween special, then leave horror comics to guys like Umezu and Corben.
I have to admit not being familiar with Attila Futaki or Greg Guilhaumond, credited with doing the pencil/inks and colors respectively. A quick Google search shows Futaki is the artist of the Percy Jackson comics, and that Greg Guilhaumond is some sort of phantom entity residing in France. I do appreciate their work-- this comic has a nice watercolor style (I believe some pages may actually painted, but mostly it's digital coloring with textures added to give it a more hand-created look) and there are moments that shine. Many of the pages showing Jack and Sam wandering the city are beautiful. That said, many of the more tense moments are just too damn dark. In an attempt to follow the cinematic rules of horror from films like Jaws (it's what you don't see that's frightening har har) the blacks are raised so that the reader can just barely make out the gruesome details. It's annoying, and even Scott McCloud can handle horror better than this.
I do not follow superhero comics, but it is my understanding that Scott Snyder is currently doing Batman, was DC's hot new thang for 2012, and is just popular enough to get into who-has-the-bigger-dick wars with Rob Liefield on Twitter. Co-writing is Scott Tuft, apparently some dude with a background in film, and perhaps the real reason this comic suffers.
See, I'm sad to report that Severed reads like a failed attempt at writing a Supernatural episode. The story is about a boy who runs away from his adoptive mother to follow his dream of finding his biological father so that they can be hobo musicians together. He gets a little hobo girlfriend that tries to keep him out of trouble. Both are then followed by a supernatural cannibal that has a hard-on for children. Cool.
Competent but cliched dialogue, interesting character development tossed aside for the sake of making the cannibal seem more threatening which only succeeds in creating the sort of boogeyman you'd expect from Goosebumps, not a single plot twist you won't see coming, and bookended with pointless scenes of Jack as an adult.
But really, why make this a comic at all? If you aren't going to take advantage of the medium and only turn out a story that might as well have been made into an ABC Family Halloween special, then leave horror comics to guys like Umezu and Corben.
May 26, 2014
Having established himself as a writer in horror through comic books such as American Vampire and The Wake, current Batman writer Scott Snyder co-wrote this horror gem with Scott Tuft for Image Comics.
1916. Twelve-year old Jack Garron, who is practising the fiddle, travels to Chicago in search of his father. During the course of his journey, during which he is in partnership with another young hobo Sam, Jack becomes the target of who he calls: The Nightmare.
For those who familiar with the literal works of Snyder will feel right at home with Severed as the very first panel of the graphic novel reveals a televisual appearance of Elvis Presley, while the story itself is a blend of American history and near-supernatural horror with a protagonist whose journey into adolescence leads him to a terrifying outcome.
No doubt that the writing from both Scotts can get very tense, as “The Salesman” creepily – and metaphorically – seduces Jack into being through jokes such as regarding a bear trap while one particular death horrifyingly symbolises the loss of innocence.
Amidst the American gothic nature throughout the narrative, the artwork by Attila Futaki (with the collaboration colourist Greg Guilhaumond) is a blend of Norman Rockwell-ish beauty and darkly shadowed cannibalistic imagery.
Not for the faint of heart, Severed is a terrifying cat-and-mouse thriller/period piece about a young boy’s idea of the American Dream is plunged into a world of nightmares.
1916. Twelve-year old Jack Garron, who is practising the fiddle, travels to Chicago in search of his father. During the course of his journey, during which he is in partnership with another young hobo Sam, Jack becomes the target of who he calls: The Nightmare.
For those who familiar with the literal works of Snyder will feel right at home with Severed as the very first panel of the graphic novel reveals a televisual appearance of Elvis Presley, while the story itself is a blend of American history and near-supernatural horror with a protagonist whose journey into adolescence leads him to a terrifying outcome.
No doubt that the writing from both Scotts can get very tense, as “The Salesman” creepily – and metaphorically – seduces Jack into being through jokes such as regarding a bear trap while one particular death horrifyingly symbolises the loss of innocence.
Amidst the American gothic nature throughout the narrative, the artwork by Attila Futaki (with the collaboration colourist Greg Guilhaumond) is a blend of Norman Rockwell-ish beauty and darkly shadowed cannibalistic imagery.
Not for the faint of heart, Severed is a terrifying cat-and-mouse thriller/period piece about a young boy’s idea of the American Dream is plunged into a world of nightmares.
October 12, 2021
4.5/5
Holy Mother of God, that was dark. Dark and twisted. Highly recommended.
Holy Mother of God, that was dark. Dark and twisted. Highly recommended.
November 8, 2019
Severed was a short, quick read. It was fast-paced, with a creepy atmosphere. The fact that the story is set in 1916 adds an extra dimension of mystery, somehow. I quite enjoyed the artwork, and the overall buildup of the storyline. The story certainly brings to life some childhood fears, and is creepy enough to remind you of the likes of the Boogeyman and Pennywise the Clown.
However, I wouldn't rate it too highly because of the (slightly) anticlimactic ending. Overall, I thought Scott Snyder could have done much more to let the horror linger on, instead of resorting to hackneyed, standard and formulaic horror tropes.
I'd still suggest reading this though, because of the good artwork and some chills that the story manages to provide.
However, I wouldn't rate it too highly because of the (slightly) anticlimactic ending. Overall, I thought Scott Snyder could have done much more to let the horror linger on, instead of resorting to hackneyed, standard and formulaic horror tropes.
I'd still suggest reading this though, because of the good artwork and some chills that the story manages to provide.
October 28, 2017
Awesome horror tale. The story is set in 1916 in the world of hobos and trains and I've always had a soft spot for that time and setting. There's a mysterious supernatural killer hunting children and back then horrible acts were much easier to get away with then modern times.
The art was amazing and the story was strong as well. The reader really cares about the characters and sees them as more than nameless victims. The series did a great job of building suspense, as a few times I saw myself flipping ahead to break the tension which is something I hardly ever do in a comic.
If you are a looking for a horror comic that is truly "horror", this is a great one. Perfect Halloween read.
The art was amazing and the story was strong as well. The reader really cares about the characters and sees them as more than nameless victims. The series did a great job of building suspense, as a few times I saw myself flipping ahead to break the tension which is something I hardly ever do in a comic.
If you are a looking for a horror comic that is truly "horror", this is a great one. Perfect Halloween read.
September 1, 2022
This was one creepy graphic novel. Take one supernatural, kid eating, serial killer and put him on the loose and you have terrors galore. If that sentence disturbs you... Don't pick up this book. If it intrigues you... then by all means, take your chances.
The book had a great story line with awesome drawings and terrific characterization. Recommended to give a good scare.
The book had a great story line with awesome drawings and terrific characterization. Recommended to give a good scare.
June 8, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyable. This horror comic starts out a bit sluggish but really picks up, the last few chapters are full of thrills, suspense, and violence.
I loved the 1915 time period and the art was fantastic, both worked together to create a interesting tone and unique story.
Most of this story was told in flashback which didn't really work as well as it could have. Despite this being a quick read I had completely forgotten that the first few pages took place decades after the main story, so when we returned to the "present" the gravitas of the twisted ending was a little lost on me. Still good though, just not as powerful as I think it was intended to be.
There are a few things that are never really explained which I would label as plot holes
I loved the 1915 time period and the art was fantastic, both worked together to create a interesting tone and unique story.
Most of this story was told in flashback which didn't really work as well as it could have. Despite this being a quick read I had completely forgotten that the first few pages took place decades after the main story, so when we returned to the "present" the gravitas of the twisted ending was a little lost on me. Still good though, just not as powerful as I think it was intended to be.
There are a few things that are never really explained which I would label as plot holes
September 24, 2021
*UPDATED REVIEW* Thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel, even more so than when I first read it 5 years ago. While the meat of the story isn’t the most original concept, especially when looking at this genre as a whole, that didn’t detract one bit from my enjoyment of this fantastic horror experience. Scott Snyder is one of my favorite writers of all time, and he hasn’t failed me once yet. When it comes to character development and dialogue, Snyder is fantastic at making everything seem as believable as possible, which is crucial in a story like this. His method of storytelling also makes typical plot devices hit hard when you least expect it, and that was definitely the case with SEVERED. The pacing and tension building were nothing short of masterful, and reminded me of the skill with which he handled the dark and brooding story of BATMAN-THE BLACK MIRROR. This guy was born to write horror, and he wears his love for it on his sleeve. While I haven’t read anything by Scott Tuft before, his contribution to the story was amazing as well, and makes me want to check out more from him. Coupled with Attila Futaki’s breathtaking artwork, which is equal parts gorgeous and harrowing, SEVERED is one hell of a ride, and perfect for the Fall season. I highly recommend it, 5/5 stars.
January 5, 2013
What I really liked about this book is the way the tension/suspense is built up, drawing the readers in from the first pages and sucking them in further and further as the story progresses. Then you reach this point in the book where you're wondering "How the hell is our protagonist going to get out of this ?"
Billed as a horror comic, the only "horror" element (as in "fantastical") to it is at the very end. The rest of the book, say all but the last few pages, is a different kind of horror - the real kind - and it's sadly something that could happen in the "real" world (and it probably does... somewhere).
The bad guy was a character that had elements from a few movies I've seen over the years: Eastwood's "The Changeling", "Taking Lives" with Ethan Hawke & Angelina Jolie, with a bit of Hannibal Lecter thrown in (if that can give you an idea).
Great writing, great looking book overall. Recommended.
Billed as a horror comic, the only "horror" element (as in "fantastical") to it is at the very end. The rest of the book, say all but the last few pages, is a different kind of horror - the real kind - and it's sadly something that could happen in the "real" world (and it probably does... somewhere).
The bad guy was a character that had elements from a few movies I've seen over the years: Eastwood's "The Changeling", "Taking Lives" with Ethan Hawke & Angelina Jolie, with a bit of Hannibal Lecter thrown in (if that can give you an idea).
Great writing, great looking book overall. Recommended.
March 8, 2015
This would make a great movie.. hint, hint!
December 31, 2018
Creepy factor and mood throughout the book. The artwork is excellent.
March 23, 2025
Also available here.
In the early 1900s, a young adopted boy named Jack chases his dreams to Chicago, Illinois, where instead he meets a nightmare.
What I loved 😍
The art is absolutely beautiful. The artist, Attila Futaki, did an amazing job portraying the characters and the time period. The use of color to convey emotions and horror is well done. It feels like rural, early 1900s America. I enjoyed seeing some of the reference photos and the process in the afterward as well.
What could have been better 🤔
The story kind of falls flat. Let’s be real, this is a concept that’s been done over and over again. A young boy is hunted by a cannibalistic serial killer. The serial killer is somehow paranormal. The story was interesting, but it wasn’t anything new and it was overall very predictable.
Let’s Talk About Scares! 👻
There are some gnarly moments. The corpse of the first child, butchered, is not unexpected but is startling in how graphic it is. The comic does an amazing job conveying emotion and tension through the color choices. It’s not scary but it is very effective and very well done horror.
Beyond the Boo! 🧠
In the foreword and afterword of the comics, the authors discuss how they wanted to focus on the journey. I think that’s such a great theme in this book, the journey of Jack to find his home, ultimately coming full circle. The journey of all the people around him, including his friend Sam, abruptly coming to an end. The journey of the traveling salesmen, the paranormal being that he is, being endless. It’s such an interesting way to tell a horror story and a beautiful way to do it through art. We’re all on a journey…we’ll all meet horrors along the way…will we overcome?
June 17, 2017
There's a reference to the number 47, so this book gets 5 stars even with the great story and art. Just kidding, the book really is good overall. Each issue adds more suspense to the story and you can't help but root for the main character, though he doesn't seem to stand a chance. I'm no fan of horror stories, but this one was good beginning to end.
Jack Garron was raised in a happy family, but finds that he was adopted as a baby. He runs away from home to be with his biological father, a traveling musician who sent him several letters. He ends up in Chicago, but finds that his father has moved on. He teams up with Sam, a girl he meets on the train.
A child-killing man assumes the identity of a phonograph salesman and has his sights on Jack. He has killed before by gaining people's confidence and now is getting close to Jack, even as Sam is suspicious of him.
Jack Garron was raised in a happy family, but finds that he was adopted as a baby. He runs away from home to be with his biological father, a traveling musician who sent him several letters. He ends up in Chicago, but finds that his father has moved on. He teams up with Sam, a girl he meets on the train.
A child-killing man assumes the identity of a phonograph salesman and has his sights on Jack. He has killed before by gaining people's confidence and now is getting close to Jack, even as Sam is suspicious of him.
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