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Dwellings #1-3
Dwellings
"Genuinely disturbing...if you feel brave, check it out." — The Toronto Star
"An absolute delight. Probably the most fun I've had while flinching squeamishly on the edge of my seat..." — BOING BOING
Welcome to Elwich—an oasis of small-town perfection, where the schools overflow with cheery-eyed children, lovingly adorned homes line the historic boulevards . . . and only the crows can see the deep, festering rot that lurks beneath the pristine surface.
Murder.
Demonology.
Possession.
Obsession.
Elwich has them all on offer—and behind every dwelling awaits a horrifying new story to be told.
Shock, terror, and wry humor pepper every page of Emmy Award-winning, Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist and animator Jay Stephens’s Dwellings .
"An absolute delight. Probably the most fun I've had while flinching squeamishly on the edge of my seat..." — BOING BOING
Welcome to Elwich—an oasis of small-town perfection, where the schools overflow with cheery-eyed children, lovingly adorned homes line the historic boulevards . . . and only the crows can see the deep, festering rot that lurks beneath the pristine surface.
Murder.
Demonology.
Possession.
Obsession.
Elwich has them all on offer—and behind every dwelling awaits a horrifying new story to be told.
Shock, terror, and wry humor pepper every page of Emmy Award-winning, Eisner Award-nominated cartoonist and animator Jay Stephens’s Dwellings .
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
13 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
August 18, 2021
When John is accosted in the park, things quickly go south and a murder of crows begins following him, waiting for him to kill again...
Okay, I'm a Jay Stephens fan from the Atomic City Tales days and I missed the kickstarter for this but bought it from the Black Eye Books website.
Holy hell, this is some twisted shit. It's drawn in a style resembling the Harvey style of Richie Rich in the 1970s, complete with fake ads and a coloring that resembles the coloring of newsprint comics. At first glance, it could be a kid's comic from the Bronze age.
However, the story is pretty brutal. John is in witness protection and kills a guy who knows his real name. Crows chow down on the victim and follow John around, waiting for another meal. The road to hell is one baby step at a time. The cutesy art and the brutal story make for an interesting package.
Dwellings #1 is a kick ass supernatural thriller drawn like a Richie Rich comic. Five out of five crows.
Okay, I'm a Jay Stephens fan from the Atomic City Tales days and I missed the kickstarter for this but bought it from the Black Eye Books website.
Holy hell, this is some twisted shit. It's drawn in a style resembling the Harvey style of Richie Rich in the 1970s, complete with fake ads and a coloring that resembles the coloring of newsprint comics. At first glance, it could be a kid's comic from the Bronze age.
However, the story is pretty brutal. John is in witness protection and kills a guy who knows his real name. Crows chow down on the victim and follow John around, waiting for another meal. The road to hell is one baby step at a time. The cutesy art and the brutal story make for an interesting package.
Dwellings #1 is a kick ass supernatural thriller drawn like a Richie Rich comic. Five out of five crows.
March 10, 2024
Horror in comics is hard to do. It tends to be big creatures with long claws, and only now and then does it truly veer towards psychological horror, the best kind of horror!! The kind that unnerves you, makes you feel.. off.
Dwellings is real horror. It's a town that is trying to kill you, a town of satanic cults, of non-satanic cults, random stabbings, non-random stabbings, more non-random stabbings, just stabbings everywhere, sad ghosties, mind-shattering crows, children killing children, madness EVERYWHERE, more madness EVERYWHERE, trust no one, not one person, everyone is hiding something, all of this isn't real, you are not real.
And it's great. The lovely cutesy art makes the short but interconnected stories even more horrible (but not in an 'edgy' way).
And I really enjoyed all the advertisements between the stories. You are not real.
(Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
August 12, 2024
3.5 stars. Most of these stories were really good and hit well in the adorable-but-also-horror style that feels pretty unique to this book. But there were a couple that either seemed too played out of a little scattered. Regardless, when those that hit were hitting, they were enjoyable enough to more than make up for those lacking. This was a fun concept that was executed charmingly and horrifyingly well!
October 30, 2025
This graphic novel is a collection of six horror stories; the first story was the best in my opinion because the farther I read the more my interest was waning. Weird stories can be good but some of the stuff in here was a bit too weird and I was often finding myself confused.
Here are my thoughts on the individual stories:
1. They Know: this was my favorite in here. It's about a young man who becomes a serial killer and he has a very unique partnership with crows. I liked the art (the style looked very old fashioned which was part of the attraction for me) plus the story made sense. The weird spin was missing from this tale so it was more straight forward and I actually appreciated that. The main character from here makes a brief appearance in another story.
2. Second Tongue: the plot here is about a PhD student investigating a "foreign accent syndrome" case. In some ways it's a detective story but it's also about demonic forces and paranoia. The weirdness definitely starts with this one and it gets worse throughout the book. I would call this a "Twilight Zone" twisty type story with unexpected ending. This one was readable and it has a "normal" weirdness level where you can still understand it.
3. Quiet Suki: this is about a missing grandmother at a retirement home and running around in a dark woods. I tried to enjoy this one but the stuff at the end only confused me. And I cannot enjoy a story that I don't fully understand. This character also seems to appear in another story in the book. Unless they have different characters that look the same?? But I am basing characters off their appearance.
4. Being Off Sound Mind: this was an extra long story and it comes in sections. It's about the grand opening of The Fang Factory which is a new type of haunted house that uses "infra sound" to scare the guests. The part that I enjoyed the most was Part 2, which was the fictional history of the house they had created - so it was a few pages of historical fiction. But the majority of the story takes place in modern days. I actually found the part of the story that takes place inside the haunted house to be disappointing. There is no real suspense. Instead this book relies very heavily on gory scenes involving things like axes or daggers. The ending made no sense at all. I think it was a good idea but it was written in a poor manner.
5. Pester's Call: the plot of this one was about a cursed whistle made from a human finger bone. The only thing I can say about this one is "history repeats". The story couldn't hold my interest at all. It wasn't scary or engaging at all.
6. Undergrowth: it's about solving an old murder case. It was very blah.
These stories take place in the town of Elwich, Ontario Canada. It's supposed to be the "most haunted town" in Ontario.
There are also these fake vintage style ads throughout the book that resemble what you saw in old comic books. At first they were entertaining but I quickly grew bored with them.
Here are my thoughts on the individual stories:
1. They Know: this was my favorite in here. It's about a young man who becomes a serial killer and he has a very unique partnership with crows. I liked the art (the style looked very old fashioned which was part of the attraction for me) plus the story made sense. The weird spin was missing from this tale so it was more straight forward and I actually appreciated that. The main character from here makes a brief appearance in another story.
2. Second Tongue: the plot here is about a PhD student investigating a "foreign accent syndrome" case. In some ways it's a detective story but it's also about demonic forces and paranoia. The weirdness definitely starts with this one and it gets worse throughout the book. I would call this a "Twilight Zone" twisty type story with unexpected ending. This one was readable and it has a "normal" weirdness level where you can still understand it.
3. Quiet Suki: this is about a missing grandmother at a retirement home and running around in a dark woods. I tried to enjoy this one but the stuff at the end only confused me. And I cannot enjoy a story that I don't fully understand. This character also seems to appear in another story in the book. Unless they have different characters that look the same?? But I am basing characters off their appearance.
4. Being Off Sound Mind: this was an extra long story and it comes in sections. It's about the grand opening of The Fang Factory which is a new type of haunted house that uses "infra sound" to scare the guests. The part that I enjoyed the most was Part 2, which was the fictional history of the house they had created - so it was a few pages of historical fiction. But the majority of the story takes place in modern days. I actually found the part of the story that takes place inside the haunted house to be disappointing. There is no real suspense. Instead this book relies very heavily on gory scenes involving things like axes or daggers. The ending made no sense at all. I think it was a good idea but it was written in a poor manner.
5. Pester's Call: the plot of this one was about a cursed whistle made from a human finger bone. The only thing I can say about this one is "history repeats". The story couldn't hold my interest at all. It wasn't scary or engaging at all.
6. Undergrowth: it's about solving an old murder case. It was very blah.
These stories take place in the town of Elwich, Ontario Canada. It's supposed to be the "most haunted town" in Ontario.
There are also these fake vintage style ads throughout the book that resemble what you saw in old comic books. At first they were entertaining but I quickly grew bored with them.
October 7, 2025
Dwellings was an absolutely delightful horror comic.
It's written in vignettes all centered around the small Canadian town called Elwich. Each story is it's own thing from beginning to end but what makes it so fun is that, as time goes on, characters and places from each vignette end up popping up on one another's story. Think Trick 'r Treat in that aspect, all the horrors of the time we spend in Elwich are all interconnected and it's really fun to see all that come together.
The art in this novel is done in this real colorful and cartoon-y, newspaper comic strip style which juxtaposes so nicely with the blood, guts and absolute horror taking place on the pages of this comic.
Just get Dwellings guys, it's a Spooky Season must read.
It's written in vignettes all centered around the small Canadian town called Elwich. Each story is it's own thing from beginning to end but what makes it so fun is that, as time goes on, characters and places from each vignette end up popping up on one another's story. Think Trick 'r Treat in that aspect, all the horrors of the time we spend in Elwich are all interconnected and it's really fun to see all that come together.
The art in this novel is done in this real colorful and cartoon-y, newspaper comic strip style which juxtaposes so nicely with the blood, guts and absolute horror taking place on the pages of this comic.
Just get Dwellings guys, it's a Spooky Season must read.
March 3, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing an advance reader's copy of this horror graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
The art work in this was fantastic and reminded me of vintage comics. Even the colour scheme reminded me of that. The stories were so weird and so much fun. They're all interconnected in some way and they all take place in a town called Elwich. The stories were quite violent with a lot of gore and this is not for everyone. I enjoyed reading them. The little ads throughout the book ere very well done and provided some snippets and clues.
A fast paced, entertaining read!
The art work in this was fantastic and reminded me of vintage comics. Even the colour scheme reminded me of that. The stories were so weird and so much fun. They're all interconnected in some way and they all take place in a town called Elwich. The stories were quite violent with a lot of gore and this is not for everyone. I enjoyed reading them. The little ads throughout the book ere very well done and provided some snippets and clues.
A fast paced, entertaining read!
July 14, 2025
Three interconnected tales of horror perfect for dark stormy nights and cozy afternoon reads.
February 16, 2024
Jay Stephens has crafted such a creepy little universe in Dwellings.
This collection centers on the town of Elwich front and center. In this town, a terrible darkness abounds. Possessions, terrifying acts of cruelty, and horrendous accidents are all entwined. Each story builds an increasing and compounding amount of dread.
Dwellings is such a surprising read! I did not know exactly what I was getting into when I started this cartoon collection, but this was incredible. I never would have thought that this style of illustration could be so gruesome and graphic, but it was and it is such a great read. I enjoyed how dark this was, I also enjoyed the cute little snippets and "ads" that were throughout this story. They added such cute little evil details to track and provided little Easter Eggs to hunt for.
You should absolutely read this collection because master of the craft Jay Stephens really put everything into this and I know that readers are going to love it.
This collection centers on the town of Elwich front and center. In this town, a terrible darkness abounds. Possessions, terrifying acts of cruelty, and horrendous accidents are all entwined. Each story builds an increasing and compounding amount of dread.
Dwellings is such a surprising read! I did not know exactly what I was getting into when I started this cartoon collection, but this was incredible. I never would have thought that this style of illustration could be so gruesome and graphic, but it was and it is such a great read. I enjoyed how dark this was, I also enjoyed the cute little snippets and "ads" that were throughout this story. They added such cute little evil details to track and provided little Easter Eggs to hunt for.
You should absolutely read this collection because master of the craft Jay Stephens really put everything into this and I know that readers are going to love it.
June 17, 2024
A book that has everything I want. Gory horror. Early 20th century comic animation. LORE. In story ads. And did I mention gore?
It's like a disturbing more macabre version of Gravity Falls.
That said, I found it frustrating as a cohesive story. The first couple of stories (the birds, Nico the possessed) worked better for me than the later stories which steeped for a little too long in... well, in themselves, really; the world building didn't really create an effective larger world for me. Elwich felt simultaneously overthought and poorly conveyed.
Still. A unique and awesome piece of art. Gory, disturbing, keep this on a high shelf art.
It's like a disturbing more macabre version of Gravity Falls.
That said, I found it frustrating as a cohesive story. The first couple of stories (the birds, Nico the possessed) worked better for me than the later stories which steeped for a little too long in... well, in themselves, really; the world building didn't really create an effective larger world for me. Elwich felt simultaneously overthought and poorly conveyed.
Still. A unique and awesome piece of art. Gory, disturbing, keep this on a high shelf art.
July 1, 2024
Collection of horror comics. Bright simple drawings with a bit of gore. Stories ok. Not very memorable tbh
July 7, 2024
From the parody retro ads, the “adorable” art, and the surprisingly complex plots, the gimmick of DWELLINGS has something for every horror fan and beyond.
December 31, 2024
I suppose this is technically an anthology of horror stories, although they all take place in the same town (Elwich) and have a lot of overlapping elements.
In the first story, a teen (twenty-something?) in the witness protection program kills a mobster and then goes crazy and kills a bunch of other people, thinking that he's doing it for the crows that keep following him around.
In the second story, a psychology student researching Foreign Accent Syndrome goes to meet Brandon, a suspected FAC patient, and begins to worry that there's something supernatural going on.
In the third story, a woman is angry because her grandmother has gone missing from a retirement home. She finds her grandmother's old puppet, which speaks to her, and ends up on the run from the retirement home folks, who seem intent on silencing her.
In the fourth story, a rich kid opens Fang Factory, a haunted house that makes use of infrasound, a hum that can't be detected by human hearing but that the body can still feel. Things go very badly.
The fifth story is a tangled little tale about a woman who's being chased by mobsters and who seems to be haunted by the spirit of Pesto the Clown.
The sixth story alternates between the past and present, focused on an older man who swears he has no memories of his childhood but who, on the encouragement of his therapist, keeps digging into those memories in order to find the source of his phobias about plants and nature.
In between the various stories, there are extra comics about a guy who repeatedly cheats the devil.
The weakest story of the bunch was probably #5, which was really hard to follow. Meanwhile, the best were probably #3 and #6. I loved the tension and various messed up elements of #3, and #6 had a nastiness to it that built up nicely.
Although I knew these all took place in the same town, for some reason the various elements that crossed over between one story and the next still took me by surprise. For example, the baby in story #2 is the child of #3's Charlie, who is the daughter-in-law of the older man in #6. It made for a funky timeline - it's tough to tell, but I'm pretty sure story #2 takes place after story #4, and #3 has to take place after #5 because one of the people killed in #3 turns up as a random horrible person in #5.
This was dark in ways that reminded me of Max und Moritz, a 19th century German story about two prankster boys - although Dwellings isn't intended for kids, what with all the torture, murder, abuse, drug use, and more, there's a nice helping of old school kids' comics nostalgia in the artwork. Everything is very happily sinister.
Overall, I enjoyed this and wouldn't mind reading another collection of creepy/nasty stories taking place in Elwich.
Extras:
A cover gallery.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
In the first story, a teen (twenty-something?) in the witness protection program kills a mobster and then goes crazy and kills a bunch of other people, thinking that he's doing it for the crows that keep following him around.
In the second story, a psychology student researching Foreign Accent Syndrome goes to meet Brandon, a suspected FAC patient, and begins to worry that there's something supernatural going on.
In the third story, a woman is angry because her grandmother has gone missing from a retirement home. She finds her grandmother's old puppet, which speaks to her, and ends up on the run from the retirement home folks, who seem intent on silencing her.
In the fourth story, a rich kid opens Fang Factory, a haunted house that makes use of infrasound, a hum that can't be detected by human hearing but that the body can still feel. Things go very badly.
The fifth story is a tangled little tale about a woman who's being chased by mobsters and who seems to be haunted by the spirit of Pesto the Clown.
The sixth story alternates between the past and present, focused on an older man who swears he has no memories of his childhood but who, on the encouragement of his therapist, keeps digging into those memories in order to find the source of his phobias about plants and nature.
In between the various stories, there are extra comics about a guy who repeatedly cheats the devil.
The weakest story of the bunch was probably #5, which was really hard to follow. Meanwhile, the best were probably #3 and #6. I loved the tension and various messed up elements of #3, and #6 had a nastiness to it that built up nicely.
Although I knew these all took place in the same town, for some reason the various elements that crossed over between one story and the next still took me by surprise. For example, the baby in story #2 is the child of #3's Charlie, who is the daughter-in-law of the older man in #6. It made for a funky timeline - it's tough to tell, but I'm pretty sure story #2 takes place after story #4, and #3 has to take place after #5 because one of the people killed in #3 turns up as a random horrible person in #5.
This was dark in ways that reminded me of Max und Moritz, a 19th century German story about two prankster boys - although Dwellings isn't intended for kids, what with all the torture, murder, abuse, drug use, and more, there's a nice helping of old school kids' comics nostalgia in the artwork. Everything is very happily sinister.
Overall, I enjoyed this and wouldn't mind reading another collection of creepy/nasty stories taking place in Elwich.
Extras:
A cover gallery.
(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)
March 15, 2024
Oni Press provided an early galley for review.
Horror is not my usual jam, but something about the cover of this one really attracted me. It had that vibe I used to get as a kid of the 70's from classic Harvey Comic books (Casper, Richie Rich, etc.). On that, I decided to check this one out.
Don't let the art style fool you. This is not a kids' book. It includes adult language, mature themes and violent actions. But that classic humor comics style cuts it down to a more palatable manner. If the artwork had been a more realistic style, I would have quickly been out.
Props too for the inclusion of mock-up ads that are homages to those we used to find in comic books back in the day. Yes, they are fake companies and projects with ultra creepy and horror-themed items. But the care that was put into the ads show me that Stephens has a nostalgic love for the old four-color days.
Horror is not my usual jam, but something about the cover of this one really attracted me. It had that vibe I used to get as a kid of the 70's from classic Harvey Comic books (Casper, Richie Rich, etc.). On that, I decided to check this one out.
Don't let the art style fool you. This is not a kids' book. It includes adult language, mature themes and violent actions. But that classic humor comics style cuts it down to a more palatable manner. If the artwork had been a more realistic style, I would have quickly been out.
Props too for the inclusion of mock-up ads that are homages to those we used to find in comic books back in the day. Yes, they are fake companies and projects with ultra creepy and horror-themed items. But the care that was put into the ads show me that Stephens has a nostalgic love for the old four-color days.
March 4, 2024
Dwellings is one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve had.
It was gory horror, funny at times, gross, uncomfortable, and unexpected.
This makes me think of the best of the worst slasher movies mixed with Tales from the Crypt with a retro Casper-esque art style.
I loved the cute characters doing weird things and the town of Elwich. I was sad when the book was over because I want more weird horror features.
So fun and disturbing. And I just want to say the level of detail is astonishing, right down to the retro advertising that fits so well with the stories.
Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an advanced E-copy of this graphic novel.
It was gory horror, funny at times, gross, uncomfortable, and unexpected.
This makes me think of the best of the worst slasher movies mixed with Tales from the Crypt with a retro Casper-esque art style.
I loved the cute characters doing weird things and the town of Elwich. I was sad when the book was over because I want more weird horror features.
So fun and disturbing. And I just want to say the level of detail is astonishing, right down to the retro advertising that fits so well with the stories.
Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for an advanced E-copy of this graphic novel.
May 3, 2024
Six horror stories told with wit and downright adorable art that belies just how dark and twisted the stories actually are. They are morbid and shocking, but even this avowed horror hater fell under the spell of its cuteness.
The stories are well-written and have great pacing to fit within the short confines of a comic, but it's the art that seriously sells this by setting the mood and tone. There's something compelling about seeing certain things presented in such an adorable manner that offsets the horror and makes it just fun.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the fun, if disturbing read!
The stories are well-written and have great pacing to fit within the short confines of a comic, but it's the art that seriously sells this by setting the mood and tone. There's something compelling about seeing certain things presented in such an adorable manner that offsets the horror and makes it just fun.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the fun, if disturbing read!
May 13, 2025
While the stories in this book are generally fun and interesting, they neither have the freshness and originality of Jay Stephen's previous work, nor are they completely satisfying as horror stories.
However, it is quite refreshing to see this author's style of, shall we say, American Kawaii, used to tell stories of monsters, ghosts, murder and madness.
The best story in my opinion is ‘Quiet Suki’ from a rather uneven collection.
Recommended for fans of the author and of horror literature and film.
However, it is quite refreshing to see this author's style of, shall we say, American Kawaii, used to tell stories of monsters, ghosts, murder and madness.
The best story in my opinion is ‘Quiet Suki’ from a rather uneven collection.
Recommended for fans of the author and of horror literature and film.
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July 17, 2024whips ass. w/ this type of bazooka joe / vintage disney artwork, a cute lil frankenstein or dracula would not feel out of place, but gore & psychological horror absolutely do not belong. resensitizes you, then, to these things, no matter how many times you've seen somebody crick their neck at a funny angle in an A24 flick. "second tongue" & "quiet suki" clear standouts imo, & the fake novelty ads sinister icing on the cake. pls tell me there's a vol 2 in the future
October 30, 2024
This is a dark horror series that is presented in a children's Harvey comics style. It's definitely different, as the art even appears to be on old style newsprint. It's funny to see cursing and graphic violence in what looks like a Harvey comic. I prefer more traditional style art for horror comics, but this was cool for something different.
June 18, 2024
The artwork instantly brings to mind the old Harvey comics that so many of us bought at corner newsstands during our analog childhoods. However, don't let those big eyes and bulbous heads fool you--this horror comic is so dark and violent it makes "Itchy & Scratchy" look like "The Care Bears." This juxtaposition of cute and gory, as well as its spot-on recreation of '60s-'80s comic books, makes DWELLINGS one of the most unique and memorable new graphic novels you'll encounter.
The fake advertisements found throughout are worth the price of admission alone. They're rendered in such meticulous and loving detail that you know the artist spent hours pouring over ridiculous comic book ads and imagining the wonderful treasures that could be yours for only a few quarters. Here they are satirized with an adult's eye for terror and pathos.
The fake advertisements found throughout are worth the price of admission alone. They're rendered in such meticulous and loving detail that you know the artist spent hours pouring over ridiculous comic book ads and imagining the wonderful treasures that could be yours for only a few quarters. Here they are satirized with an adult's eye for terror and pathos.
November 19, 2024
More horrific and less cute than I expected 😱
July 30, 2024
Do I understand everything that happened? No. Do I care? No. This is a spectacular conjunction of unhinged horror and 1960s/70s Harvey Comics.
December 15, 2022
It’s a horror comic.
September 23, 2024
Adorable, disturbing, horrific. Recommend.
February 15, 2024
My thanks to both NetGalley and to Oni Press for an advance copy of this graphic novel horror anthology that's bright and colourful art hides a lot of evil, a lot of words of curse, and even more lots and lots and lots of blood.
The town of Elwich looks like an illustration on an old postcard, or even better an old comic book, one with light hearted adventures told in full-color, with fun stories. Entering the town things just seem brighter, more childlike in some ways. There is a rich past, with a few spooky things, perfect for tourists. There seems to be a lot of police sirens, but everyone seems nice. There are a lot of birds, crows especially flying over one section of town, but everyone seems real nice. There are a few people missing, and something is happening in the woods by the hospital, buy again, everyone seems really nice. Until they are not. Dwellings by writer, illustrator and crazed imaginator Jay Stephens is the story of a sleepy little town, and the evil that exists in even the most wholesome looking places.
Dwellings is an anthology graphic novel with some characters who appear in other stories. We begin one a bright day, with a walk interrupted. Something happens, which only the crows in the woods seem to observe clearly. Something the crows seem to enjoy and want more of. More things begin to happen in town, and only one cop with a troubled conscience seems to see how all these things are interrelated. Another young person is distraught to find a loved one missing from the hospital, with only a doll left behind. The person escapes to the woods, with the doll, who starts to speak to her in a familiar way, and things get even odder. In between the stories, and there are more, is a panel strip of a man trying his best to avoid the devil, and usually making the devil rue their encounters. These stories are in black and white, which work well with the wonderful color of the earlier stories.
A different kind of horror comic where the art not only is the star, but sets the expectations of what is going to happen, and pulls the rug out from under the reader. Or hits the reader upside the head with a hammer. Both phrases work. The art is bright shiny, a Harvey comic featuring Richie Rich or a Sad Sack kind of story, all clean, and family friendly. Than the characters begin to speak, and there is a lot of cursing, and adult themes and blood. And fire, and more blood. The stories are good, the first story with the crows and the third, a possession story are really good. Stephens has done a good job of developing a mythology for his town of Elwich, one that is both historic and malevolent, and gives Stephens much to draw on. I enjoyed the stories and pacing was really good, though one or two stories could have been a little shorter. I enjoyed this and spent a lot of time thinking who I could share this with. I know a lot of odd people, and I know they would eat this up.
Recommended for horror fans. The stories are good, spooky, scary, bloody, violent and unsettling. The art is really good, and will constantly make one feel worse for enjoying the stories. Like watching Casper the Friendly Ghost, become the Crow or even Faust: Love of the Damned. I will have to look for more by Jay Stephens.
The town of Elwich looks like an illustration on an old postcard, or even better an old comic book, one with light hearted adventures told in full-color, with fun stories. Entering the town things just seem brighter, more childlike in some ways. There is a rich past, with a few spooky things, perfect for tourists. There seems to be a lot of police sirens, but everyone seems nice. There are a lot of birds, crows especially flying over one section of town, but everyone seems real nice. There are a few people missing, and something is happening in the woods by the hospital, buy again, everyone seems really nice. Until they are not. Dwellings by writer, illustrator and crazed imaginator Jay Stephens is the story of a sleepy little town, and the evil that exists in even the most wholesome looking places.
Dwellings is an anthology graphic novel with some characters who appear in other stories. We begin one a bright day, with a walk interrupted. Something happens, which only the crows in the woods seem to observe clearly. Something the crows seem to enjoy and want more of. More things begin to happen in town, and only one cop with a troubled conscience seems to see how all these things are interrelated. Another young person is distraught to find a loved one missing from the hospital, with only a doll left behind. The person escapes to the woods, with the doll, who starts to speak to her in a familiar way, and things get even odder. In between the stories, and there are more, is a panel strip of a man trying his best to avoid the devil, and usually making the devil rue their encounters. These stories are in black and white, which work well with the wonderful color of the earlier stories.
A different kind of horror comic where the art not only is the star, but sets the expectations of what is going to happen, and pulls the rug out from under the reader. Or hits the reader upside the head with a hammer. Both phrases work. The art is bright shiny, a Harvey comic featuring Richie Rich or a Sad Sack kind of story, all clean, and family friendly. Than the characters begin to speak, and there is a lot of cursing, and adult themes and blood. And fire, and more blood. The stories are good, the first story with the crows and the third, a possession story are really good. Stephens has done a good job of developing a mythology for his town of Elwich, one that is both historic and malevolent, and gives Stephens much to draw on. I enjoyed the stories and pacing was really good, though one or two stories could have been a little shorter. I enjoyed this and spent a lot of time thinking who I could share this with. I know a lot of odd people, and I know they would eat this up.
Recommended for horror fans. The stories are good, spooky, scary, bloody, violent and unsettling. The art is really good, and will constantly make one feel worse for enjoying the stories. Like watching Casper the Friendly Ghost, become the Crow or even Faust: Love of the Damned. I will have to look for more by Jay Stephens.
August 16, 2024
Jay Stephens certainly delivers on the promise of Dwellings, which the cover purports to be Six Twisted Tales of Adorable Horror! At San Diego Comic-Con, I frequented the Oni Press booth because of their Bryan Lee O'Malley signings, and they were good to me, so I asked for a recommendation of a book to buy since I wanted to support them. And it turned out I asked right when Jay Stephens was signing, so I figured, sure, how fortuitous. Stephens whetted my appetite by describing the book as six different kinds of psychological horror that did all come together to tell one long story. To be honest, while I was impressed with the six individual tales and their distinct flavors, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't actually an overarching narrative from beginning to end. If I put aside my constant desire for conventional narrative, however, I can definitely appreciate what Stephens likely meant: these six tales come together to create a vivid portrait of the haunted town of Elwich, Ontario.
I was hooked from the very first story, which was probably my favorite. "They Know" has tinges of Edgar Allan Poe as it follows a young murderer stalked by a murder of crows awaiting his next victim. But every story here has something unique to offer! "Second Tongue" follows a scientist who comes to Elwich to investigate a potential case of Foreign Accent Syndrome but finds much more than she bargained for. "Quiet, Suki" invokes the talking puppet trope. "Being of Sound Mind" takes us inside a truly haunted house. "Pester's Call" hinges on a very unusual whistle. And "Undergrowth" makes references to several previous stories as it unpacks a man's childhood trauma. Each story has a different narrative structure, and there are plenty of twists and turns in store, so it's neat to see Stephens thriving in various modes as he spins yarns of murder, suicide, dismemberment, and more, whether they're occurring now or in the town's history.
Sounds like a dark, disturbing comic, right? Well, Stephens draws it all in a cartoony, colorful style reminiscent of old children's comics—with cheeky retro ads between the pages to enhance this aesthetic—and the contrast between style and content never becomes any less unsettling. When I bought the book, I assumed that contrast would be used as a joke, but Stephens plays it completely straight. Though the characters may look like children, they're almost always teenagers or adults committing these horrible acts. I never had the urge to laugh at this book, even when it looks like it's making fun of itself with these exaggerated expressions and over-the-top sound effects. It's a brilliant walking of a tonal tightrope that makes this such a fascinating and compelling read. (The end of each issue includes a mini comic about the Devil called "Aw, Hell!" and, uh, these never worked for me, though.)
For any fan of horror, comics, and/or horror comics, Dwellings is definitely something special. It's bloody and gory and wonderfully creepy with beautiful art and memorable stories. Check it out...if you dare. Caw!
I was hooked from the very first story, which was probably my favorite. "They Know" has tinges of Edgar Allan Poe as it follows a young murderer stalked by a murder of crows awaiting his next victim. But every story here has something unique to offer! "Second Tongue" follows a scientist who comes to Elwich to investigate a potential case of Foreign Accent Syndrome but finds much more than she bargained for. "Quiet, Suki" invokes the talking puppet trope. "Being of Sound Mind" takes us inside a truly haunted house. "Pester's Call" hinges on a very unusual whistle. And "Undergrowth" makes references to several previous stories as it unpacks a man's childhood trauma. Each story has a different narrative structure, and there are plenty of twists and turns in store, so it's neat to see Stephens thriving in various modes as he spins yarns of murder, suicide, dismemberment, and more, whether they're occurring now or in the town's history.
Sounds like a dark, disturbing comic, right? Well, Stephens draws it all in a cartoony, colorful style reminiscent of old children's comics—with cheeky retro ads between the pages to enhance this aesthetic—and the contrast between style and content never becomes any less unsettling. When I bought the book, I assumed that contrast would be used as a joke, but Stephens plays it completely straight. Though the characters may look like children, they're almost always teenagers or adults committing these horrible acts. I never had the urge to laugh at this book, even when it looks like it's making fun of itself with these exaggerated expressions and over-the-top sound effects. It's a brilliant walking of a tonal tightrope that makes this such a fascinating and compelling read. (The end of each issue includes a mini comic about the Devil called "Aw, Hell!" and, uh, these never worked for me, though.)
For any fan of horror, comics, and/or horror comics, Dwellings is definitely something special. It's bloody and gory and wonderfully creepy with beautiful art and memorable stories. Check it out...if you dare. Caw!
May 20, 2024
"Dwellings" by Jay Stephens is a dark and twisted graphic novel that takes readers on a harrowing journey through the seemingly idyllic town of Elwich. The book reveals the sinister underbelly of small-town perfection where murder, demonology, possession, and obsession lurk behind every charming façade.
Elwich presents itself as an oasis of tranquility with its picturesque homes, cheerful schools, and historic boulevards. However, the crows that haunt the skies know the truth—beneath the surface, the town is a breeding ground for nightmarish horrors. Each dwelling in Elwich has a story to tell, and every story is more horrifying than the last.
Review:
"Dwellings" is a masterclass in horror storytelling, blending the quaint and cozy aesthetics of small-town life with the macabre and terrifying elements that lie beneath. Jay Stephens' artistry and narrative skills shine brightly, making this graphic novel a standout in the horror genre.
The artwork is both charming and disturbing, capturing the duality of Elwich's facade and the darkness within. Stephens' use of stark contrasts and meticulous detailing creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and chilling. The illustrations evoke a sense of unease, drawing readers into the story and refusing to let go.
The graphic novel is structured as an anthology, with each dwelling in Elwich serving as the setting for a unique horror story. This format allows for a diverse exploration of horror themes, from demonic possession and murderous impulses to obsessive behaviors and supernatural occurrences. Each tale is self-contained yet contributes to the overarching sense of dread that permeates the town.
The characters in "Dwellings" are well-crafted and relatable, which makes their descent into horror all the more impactful. Stephens has a knack for building suspense and delivering shocking twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and effective, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and deepening the sense of unease.
Tropes/Themes:
-Small-Town Horror
-Anthology Format
-Supernatural Elements
-Psychological Horror
-Dark Secrets
"Dwellings" is a must-read for fans of horror and graphic novels. Jay Stephens has crafted a terrifying world that is as beautiful as it is horrifying. With its compelling storytelling, stunning artwork, and relentless suspense, this graphic novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone brave enough to enter the town of Elwich. Whether you're a seasoned horror aficionado or new to the genre, "Dwellings" offers a nightmarish experience that you won't soon forget.
Elwich presents itself as an oasis of tranquility with its picturesque homes, cheerful schools, and historic boulevards. However, the crows that haunt the skies know the truth—beneath the surface, the town is a breeding ground for nightmarish horrors. Each dwelling in Elwich has a story to tell, and every story is more horrifying than the last.
Review:
"Dwellings" is a masterclass in horror storytelling, blending the quaint and cozy aesthetics of small-town life with the macabre and terrifying elements that lie beneath. Jay Stephens' artistry and narrative skills shine brightly, making this graphic novel a standout in the horror genre.
The artwork is both charming and disturbing, capturing the duality of Elwich's facade and the darkness within. Stephens' use of stark contrasts and meticulous detailing creates an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and chilling. The illustrations evoke a sense of unease, drawing readers into the story and refusing to let go.
The graphic novel is structured as an anthology, with each dwelling in Elwich serving as the setting for a unique horror story. This format allows for a diverse exploration of horror themes, from demonic possession and murderous impulses to obsessive behaviors and supernatural occurrences. Each tale is self-contained yet contributes to the overarching sense of dread that permeates the town.
The characters in "Dwellings" are well-crafted and relatable, which makes their descent into horror all the more impactful. Stephens has a knack for building suspense and delivering shocking twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and effective, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and deepening the sense of unease.
Tropes/Themes:
-Small-Town Horror
-Anthology Format
-Supernatural Elements
-Psychological Horror
-Dark Secrets
"Dwellings" is a must-read for fans of horror and graphic novels. Jay Stephens has crafted a terrifying world that is as beautiful as it is horrifying. With its compelling storytelling, stunning artwork, and relentless suspense, this graphic novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone brave enough to enter the town of Elwich. Whether you're a seasoned horror aficionado or new to the genre, "Dwellings" offers a nightmarish experience that you won't soon forget.
April 5, 2024
Actually 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dwellings by Jay Stephens is a collection of six inter-connected stories all set in the haunted town of Elwich, in Ontario, Canada. Elwich is a place where supposedly nothing happens, but in fact many things do happen--dark, grisly, unexplainable things that often end in murder: from ghosts induced by "infrasound" to puppets that possess the wearer, horror haunts the most innocent of objects. Nothing--and no one--is safe.
An award-winning cartoonist and animator with three decades of experience, Stephens knows his stuff. He cleverly weaves re-appearing characters throughout the book, with brief references to previous chapters that not only provide a subtle timeline of events, but also hint that these stories aren't as standalone as they seem--even in a small town like Elwich, there's always something(s) happening. Stephens also plays up readers' nostalgia, by choosing an art style reminiscent of Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network (ex. Dexter's Laboratory) and presenting the stories like vintage newspaper comics. (For long-time Jay Stephens fans, this is also a nod to his career experience with both mediums.)
While well-rendered and cleverly scripted, the book didn't quite work for me--the overly cartoonish art style actually took away the visual horror element for me, and the horror elements tended toward bloody body horror, rather than psychological (my personal preference), though the paranormal aspect was fun. The inserted "ads", while nostalgic, did get a bit distracting as well--they would work better if kept in between stories rather than in the middle of them, interrupting the flow. That said, fans of Stephen King and old-school news comics would probably enjoy this book, and it's a perfect Halloween read!
Dwellings by Jay Stephens is a collection of six inter-connected stories all set in the haunted town of Elwich, in Ontario, Canada. Elwich is a place where supposedly nothing happens, but in fact many things do happen--dark, grisly, unexplainable things that often end in murder: from ghosts induced by "infrasound" to puppets that possess the wearer, horror haunts the most innocent of objects. Nothing--and no one--is safe.
An award-winning cartoonist and animator with three decades of experience, Stephens knows his stuff. He cleverly weaves re-appearing characters throughout the book, with brief references to previous chapters that not only provide a subtle timeline of events, but also hint that these stories aren't as standalone as they seem--even in a small town like Elwich, there's always something(s) happening. Stephens also plays up readers' nostalgia, by choosing an art style reminiscent of Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network (ex. Dexter's Laboratory) and presenting the stories like vintage newspaper comics. (For long-time Jay Stephens fans, this is also a nod to his career experience with both mediums.)
While well-rendered and cleverly scripted, the book didn't quite work for me--the overly cartoonish art style actually took away the visual horror element for me, and the horror elements tended toward bloody body horror, rather than psychological (my personal preference), though the paranormal aspect was fun. The inserted "ads", while nostalgic, did get a bit distracting as well--they would work better if kept in between stories rather than in the middle of them, interrupting the flow. That said, fans of Stephen King and old-school news comics would probably enjoy this book, and it's a perfect Halloween read!
February 28, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
Ok, wow. I just finished this and… it got dark. This was a true horror graphic novel, but in the style of kids comics I remember reading growing up, complete with fake advertisements that reference items in the story.
The stories centre around creepy and mysterious things that happen in the town of Elwich and have layers of history and nuance that sneak up on the reader.
The art style is so opposite to the tone and content of the story it just creates an extra layer of unsettling discomfort to the whole experience. Watching murder and violence carried out by, and enacted on, Chibi style characters was just my level of horror. Creepy kids singing nursery rhymes in horror movies have been overdone, but this is the graphic novel version of creating that same experience. And, at least for me, was a totally new and refreshing take on a horror genre.
I will admit that I didn’t expect it to be full horror when I picked it up specifically BECAUSE of the art style, but it was apparent quickly that I was wrong. But I also didn’t mind a book that could mess with my expectations so thoroughly.
If “cosy horror” is a genre, this strikes me as the kind of thing that fans of the Magnus Archives might enjoy as well, since there seems to be a bit of a cross over in the concept of a gentle way to tell a really creepy story.
Ok, wow. I just finished this and… it got dark. This was a true horror graphic novel, but in the style of kids comics I remember reading growing up, complete with fake advertisements that reference items in the story.
The stories centre around creepy and mysterious things that happen in the town of Elwich and have layers of history and nuance that sneak up on the reader.
The art style is so opposite to the tone and content of the story it just creates an extra layer of unsettling discomfort to the whole experience. Watching murder and violence carried out by, and enacted on, Chibi style characters was just my level of horror. Creepy kids singing nursery rhymes in horror movies have been overdone, but this is the graphic novel version of creating that same experience. And, at least for me, was a totally new and refreshing take on a horror genre.
I will admit that I didn’t expect it to be full horror when I picked it up specifically BECAUSE of the art style, but it was apparent quickly that I was wrong. But I also didn’t mind a book that could mess with my expectations so thoroughly.
If “cosy horror” is a genre, this strikes me as the kind of thing that fans of the Magnus Archives might enjoy as well, since there seems to be a bit of a cross over in the concept of a gentle way to tell a really creepy story.
March 14, 2024
A graphic novel divided into six gruesome tales, set in Canada, that will leave you wishing for more. The tone of the book combines amusement with horror details, hence don’t expect jump scares or elevated scary elements.
The drawings show the people as if they were kids when in reality they are adults, so the depiction of gore in a middle grade format is unnerving at best and awkward at worst. This book has topics such as murder, drugs, cults, violence and others. Therefore, make sure to check up the trigger warnings before reading. Besides, the target audience may be people over 15 years old.
The stories are well executed, although they contain gore elements that may be unnecessary. This graphic novel straddles the line between mild horror stories and adult themes, creating a conflict for young readers regarding what they should consume.
Furthermore, this book is funnier than it is creepy. The plot of each story could be a little bit more unnerving, and the pacing could be slower to add more depth to the characters. This is not a graphic novel for everyone and it surely won’t be the favorite of many people but it’s definitely entertaining.
I’m grateful with NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity of letting me read this before its publication.
Actual rating: 2.25-2.5*
The drawings show the people as if they were kids when in reality they are adults, so the depiction of gore in a middle grade format is unnerving at best and awkward at worst. This book has topics such as murder, drugs, cults, violence and others. Therefore, make sure to check up the trigger warnings before reading. Besides, the target audience may be people over 15 years old.
The stories are well executed, although they contain gore elements that may be unnecessary. This graphic novel straddles the line between mild horror stories and adult themes, creating a conflict for young readers regarding what they should consume.
Furthermore, this book is funnier than it is creepy. The plot of each story could be a little bit more unnerving, and the pacing could be slower to add more depth to the characters. This is not a graphic novel for everyone and it surely won’t be the favorite of many people but it’s definitely entertaining.
I’m grateful with NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity of letting me read this before its publication.
Actual rating: 2.25-2.5*
September 15, 2024
Unrelentingly brutal. Apparently I prefer slasher horror with more insight. The black-humor fake-ad inserts were excellent and the story where you see who the crows are really following was neatly done. But overall this is hard to recommend even at Halloween.
The combination of ultra-cute art style plus horror will be novel to some, and if you enjoy that, illustrator Adam Ellis's work and Mike Birchall's webcomic "Everything is Fine" are worth checking out. But there are some differences. EiF tries to put a new twist on the domestic dystopia to say something interesting about how capitalism commodifies and subverts our most basic family relationships. And Ellis crowdsources bite-sized narratives that fit the classic gothic-horror format but, true to that form, cohere well and use strong pacing to make their twists/reveals count. Stephens sometimes does, sometimes does not, strive for a longer arc versus distracting himself with the spectacle of one-upping his own gore levels.
I appreciate what he tried to do here, but too often this resolved into not a lot more than a tightly knotted mess of violence for its own sake, tangled with partial ideas that needed more work.
Let's be honest, the pure-gore offering is a pretty functional option for some readers-- but when the novelty is solely in the delivery style, not the narrative, the return isn't enough for me.
The combination of ultra-cute art style plus horror will be novel to some, and if you enjoy that, illustrator Adam Ellis's work and Mike Birchall's webcomic "Everything is Fine" are worth checking out. But there are some differences. EiF tries to put a new twist on the domestic dystopia to say something interesting about how capitalism commodifies and subverts our most basic family relationships. And Ellis crowdsources bite-sized narratives that fit the classic gothic-horror format but, true to that form, cohere well and use strong pacing to make their twists/reveals count. Stephens sometimes does, sometimes does not, strive for a longer arc versus distracting himself with the spectacle of one-upping his own gore levels.
I appreciate what he tried to do here, but too often this resolved into not a lot more than a tightly knotted mess of violence for its own sake, tangled with partial ideas that needed more work.
Let's be honest, the pure-gore offering is a pretty functional option for some readers-- but when the novelty is solely in the delivery style, not the narrative, the return isn't enough for me.
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