Roth

by Richard Van Camp, Christopher Shy (illustrator)

Unless there is snow on the ground, never speak their name aloud.

The more they eat the hungrier they become, and they are starving.

They were meant to stay undisturbed, their dismembered limbs scattered, frozen under the permafrost, but as is always the way, the greed of industry has unburied them once more. Now, the most feared, the Wheetago, have returned, using their powers to call back the Na acho, cannibalistic giants once banished by Dene deities.

The revered hero known as the Child Finder who is fighting to cling to his humanity after a Wheetago attack, a mother, her young son, and a desperate band of convicts, form an uneasy alliance to survive the Wheetago horrors now awakened.

ROTH, from award-winning, bestselling Tłı̨chǫ Dene author Richard Van Camp, and visionary illustrator Christopher Shy, is the first graphic novel in the Wheetago War series.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Indigenous

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2024

About the author

A Dogrib (Tlicho) Dene from Fort Smith, NWT, Richard Van Camp is an internationally renowned storyteller and best-selling author. He is the author of the novel, The Lesser Blessed, a collection of short stories, Angel Wing Splash Pattern, and two children’s books with Cree artist, George Littlechild. His new baby book: Welcome Song for Baby: A Lullaby for Newborns is the official selection of the Books for BC Babies program and is being given to every newborn baby in British Columbia in 2008. His new novel, Blessing Wendy, will be released in the fall of 2009 through Orca Book Publishers. Richard was awarded Storyteller of the Year for both Canada and the US by the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. You can visit Richard at his website: www.richardvancamp.org.

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

The colour scheme/tone of this story is dark. Which makes for an awesome plot, but the artwork was actually hard to see at times lol. It’s also done in a different style that makes images blurred, and the narration was strange and didn’t always make sense/flow.

There was a lot I loved about this graphic novel, but it was unfortunately outweighed by the negative aspects. It would’ve been nice to get more information on the creatures, characters, situation as well before it ends rather abruptly.

Not sure if I will even bother continuing this series.

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite liked this graphic novel!

The vibes are very Silent Hill mixed with a little bit of The Last of Us and Fallout. (I didn't watch The Walking Dead so I can't comment on that comp.) The art is gorgeous. All shades of green with cloudy and smoky swirls. Sometimes it's hard to make out the characters or background, but like in Silent Hill, it really adds to the mystery and horror.

I love the focus on an Indigenous cast and Indigenous mythology. This story is specifically about the Dene people and their beliefs, with wheetagos and Na achos roaming the apocalyptic landscape while the Dene characters attempt to stick together for safety and go back to their families in the city.

This first volume lays out the story, characters, and background, and there was just enough of each for me to get invested in. The story is heavy on interpersonal relationships, but there is a quest aspect and the start of several hero's journeys, so I'm very interested in reading the next installment to see what happens to our cast of characters.

I'd definitely recommend for lovers of apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic stories.

Thank you to Renegade Arts Entertainment and NetGalley for this arc.

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is a did not finish (DNF) for me. The style and feel are similar to 30 Days of Night; but the art isn’t as good and the dialogue (what little there is) just felt lacklustre. After about 20 pages I just didn’t feel entranced by anything on the page and was struggling to care.
I skimmed ahead a bit to about halfway and felt like there just wasn’t enough substance to the book to really draw me in later on. I’m all for letting the art of imagery tell a piece of the story; but this one was a bit too unconventional and esoteric for me.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Kim Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

EDIT:

I finally got around to reading this again now that it’s released. I still love the story, I think it’s wonderfully written and the plot is interesting and a nice, fresh, unique spin on the typical post-apocalyptic world. Being able to properly read the text made it much easier to understand the full scope and scale of the story, but I will say that I struggled at parts due to the speech bubbles not really being a thing in this graphic novel, so I did find things a tiny bit disjointed at times (in fairness, the typical speech bubbles design would have ruined the beautiful artwork so I understand why they don’t exist). That ending continues to shock me to this day, how dare it be left off on such a huge cliffhanger like that! My rating stays the same at 4 out of 5 stars and I’m so excited for whenever the second part releases because I desperately need to know where this goes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this graphic novel!

I find this one genuinely hard to rate because it was so incredibly hard to read the text on my phone through the NetGalley app, but what I was able to read I loved and I’m so excited to see where this series will go and so for those reasons it gets a 4 out of 5 stars. I want to stress that the writing itself is not difficult to read, it’s just that it’s small font and there’s no proper and functional zoom feature on the NetGalley app and so that’s why I struggled to read some of the panels.

The way that this graphic novel is written is lovely, it’s so nice to read a book written by a Canadian author (who currently lives locally!) and to have First Nations culture and folklore brought into the main story. Reading about the wheetago and hearing a little bit about the Dene culture was truly interesting and it definitely adds a sense of realism to this graphic novel. The characters are all interesting and engaging to read and I’m so looking forward to learning more about each individual as the series progresses, especially the wheetago. The artwork is on a completely different level too, every page was just filled with stunning designs, landscapes and just general drawings; I especially loved the design of the wheetago too.

Truly this is a great read and I’m looking forward to this graphic novels release so that I can go back and re-read it and see what I missed. A great graphic novel to read too during fall and around Halloween, it definitely has the right eerie, post-apocalyptic vibes and tone.

Thanks again NetGalley!

[Shelly Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking, ethereal illustrations, breakneck pace, a cast of characters who were easy to cheer for, and I got to learn a bit about Dene culture too! Roth explores the texture and depth of human resilience—and desperation. Every page you devour will leave you hungrier for the next. Some books you just can’t pass by. This is one of them. Loved it and cannot wait to continue the series.

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

They were meant to stay undisturbed, their dismembered limbs scattered, frozen under the permafrost, but as is always the way, the greed of industry has unburied them once more. Now, the most feared, the Wheetago, have returned, using their powers to call back the Na acho, cannibalistic giants once banished by Dene deities.

The revered hero known as the Child Finder who is fighting to cling to his humanity after a Wheetago attack, a mother, her young son, and a desperate band of convicts, form an uneasy alliance to survive the Wheetago horrors now awakened.

Beautifully illustrated with a compelling story. The text was slightly hard to read and I strained my eyes to make out a lot of it, but not sure if that was becasue I was reading it on a tablet or that is how the graphic novel will be.

The story came to life as I followed the art work and the words of this compelling story. I'm looking forward to volume 2.

Thanks to @netgalley and Literary Press Group of Canada | Renegade Arts Entertainment for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Lightwhisper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is almost like a movie and cgi mixed, with was wonderful, but also was difficult to understand the story. Still very good!

[Richard Livesay · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a plague on the land, and it’s the Wheetago. Think “Wendigo” and you’ve got the general idea. This graphic novel opens with a group of still-chained prisoners, Native Americans all, searching for safety from these huge, skull-headed monsters. They find a cabin in the woods, a monster, and a mother and son travelling on their own. So the story begins.

Story

Richard Van Camp does an excellent job building the world. As a reader, I have no clue what he invented and what he brings to the table as a Tłı̨chǫ Dene. What I do know is that this world feels old, with thousands of years of history suddenly pressing down on our characters. Van Camp weaves mythology, folklore, and zombie apocalypse trappings together to make a strong tale that keeps the reader pressing forward. His genius idea here is that the prisoners find a Wheetago who has retained some of his humanity even though physically he has changed. This Wheetago’s backstory is interesting, because he was a local folk hero before he turned. Since the men know of him already, they’re willing to entertain the idea of letting him help, but the internal conflicts the monster, and the humans, face in this situation are a source of great tension.

Characters

The characters are mostly broad. The wise uncle of the group of prisoners gets the most time of any of the men. We don’t find out very much about his history, but he does seem to be a rock the others can rely upon. The woman and her son get a little time to shine as well, and while they are the standard “my son must survive” and “I’m hopeful and trust the monster” types you might see in any story, respectively, they are interesting. The best character in the book is the Wheetago himself. As a former Child Finder, a man who has saved hundreds of children, he is given a reason to hang on to his humanity after his change because he wants to find his own daughter. The worry that he might lose the battle with the spirit within is a great touch.

Art

Christopher Shy’s art grounds this world. The color palette is dark, adding to the feeling of a world run-down by years of misuse until the monsters come back to claim it. He uses broad strokes for backgrounds, which can clash a little with the photorealistic look of the human faces, but you quickly settle into world he’s creating. The art suits the writing well. The action is easy enough to follow, although it’s not particularly kinetic. Shy chooses the approach of a series of vignettes and lets the reader fill in the gaps. The sense of plodding doom that pervades this graphic novel is a direct result of this choice.

Overall

If you’re looking for a story of impending doom but are tired of the same generic old zombies, The Wheetago War: ROTH is a great choice. The mythology of Van Camp’s world is interesting, and the interplay between the different groups of characters holds potential for future stories both personal and epic. Readers should look forward to this book and any additions to the series.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

A vivid, one of a kind graphic novel that breathes new life into the well worn narratives of both apocalypse and the Wheetago (Wendigo) in a refreshingly original way.


This book was not what I was expecting based on the cover. The graphic novel’s Hypnagogic storytelling and dream-like visuals take some getting used to the same way moving
in water takes some adjustment from walking around on dry land. Once you’ve acclimated though, the artistic style makes for a one of a kind reading experience. Panels that are at once crisp and misty, detailed in landscape and dynamic in movement, brimming with action and feeling.

Roth is the story you never knew you needed. One that continues the trend of reimagining the tired old apocalypse scenario we’ve all read a hundred times by showing it through a first nation lens à la The Moon of The Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. After an outbreak of cannibalistic monsters overruns the world, a ragtag group of survivors; including a mother, her child, some escaped convicts, and one of the very monsters they fear, try to live on while also preserving their humanity in this frightening new reality.

This story works on several levels, plot, characters you feel instant kinship to, and a fascinating world building element. Roth also places North America's most famous cannibalistic spirit, the Wheetago, or Wendigo, back in its original context as a creature from a specific culture and history instead of just another monster of the week. However, most importantly to me as a reader, this beautiful story delves into the most fascinating element of the apocalypse narrative, the human impulse to trust and cooperate, even at the end of the world. The desire to retain our humanity and compassion even when the stakes couldn't be higher and trust, either misplaced or earned, is the difference between survival and death at every turn.

Pick up this book, particularly if you’re looking for something more substantive and thoughtful from your end of the world fiction, you won’t regret it.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Renegade Arts Entertainment for the ARC.

If you like to read books about mythical monsters, old forest gods, indigenous legends and the possible end of the world, then this is the graphic novel you have been waiting for. Roth (Wheetago War, 1) is an excellent example of indigenous horror/mythology in graphic novel form. The added apocalyptic potential ramps it up even further. The story is intriguing and well thought out. It paces very well and the story flows easily. The characters are honest and all seem interested in the greater good, including the men who are escaping from prison and a man turned Wheetago. This first entry in the series sets up what could prove to be an outstanding series.

The artwork is amazing, it has a feel all its own that adds very much to the story. I personally have not seen graphic novel artwork in this style before, it enhances each character as well as makes each character feel extremely realistic and raw. Very mystical, yet grounded in reality. The balance fits so well with the story being told. The writing and the artwork very much help you connect with the characters.

My only criticism is that I was reading on a tablet and some of the art frames did not look as crisp as I assume the hard copy will. This made some of the early story hard to decipher, but as the story went on everything made sense. I do feel tablet reading takes away from the artwork at times.

This is my first reading of anything from Richard Van Camp. I look forward to not only the next book in this series, but also to get acquainted with some of his other works.

[Lizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The more they eat, the hungrier they become, and they are starving.”

This is a story about the monsters created by greed and the high cost paid by the rest of humanity. Told through the lens of Dene folklore, The Wheetago War: Roth (book 1) explores greed, monsters, humanity, resilience, and family.

Broken promises in the name of greed cause the return of the Wheetago, starving cannibalistic spirits that possess humans. Ross, a local hero with medicine power named “The Child Finder,” falls victim to the Wheetago and is grasping tightly to what is left of his humanity in an effort to find his family. Working with a band of escaped prisoners and a single mother with her son, they will fight to save themselves, their families, and possibly the world. 

Indigenous folklore is breathtakingly illustrated and transformed into a graphic novel that you won’t be able to put down. The cliffhanger ending of book one will leave you feeling starved for book two.

Mahsi cho (thank you) to Netgalley and Literary Press Group of Canada | Renegade Arts Entertainment for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Valerie thepinkowlreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Renegade Arts for the ARC.

I struggled between 3 or 4 stars for this (really wish half stars were an option) but decided on 4 stars since I think a few of my issues were purely personal preference. I was really excited to read this graphic novel because I love stories from other cultures mythology / heritage. The art was beautifully done creating a dream like atmosphere for the novel. Overall this was a fairly good rendition of an apocolypse / Wheetago story. I think the next book would really make or break if it is something I would follow along with.

My issues with this is that there is barely any words in the novel, which can work if the pictures tell the story, but I felt like they didn’t tell enough of a story to make up for the lack of words which led to it being hard to follow along. You would need some understanding of the Wheetago / Windago mythology to follow along. The other major issue could purely be an issue with the ARC as it does happen the words are a bit blurry so can be hard to read.

[Peyton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m curious in the story, but I didn’t like the art for this book at all.

The story is interesting and I’d love to continue the series, but I’m really going to have to debate if I can because of the art. The art comes off as very digitial and even pixelated at times. It seems like poorly done movie stills and not art. The dialogue is done interestingly, but it does not match the image of the characters, causing for a lot of discontent between what is seen and what is said. A lot of the characters have the same image used over and over again, and humans wouldn’t naturally stay in the exact same position for so long, make it feel fake. I do find that the colour panel is good and matched the dystopian vibes. I’d love to see this done by a different artist who could make the characters come alive.

[Katharine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise of this story sounded excellent, but the execution is a mess. The "art style" is just a bunch of photo bashing with a blue light filter slapped over it. Because the art is only done with real-life photos and some effect edits, every scene is incredibly confusing and messy. The font choice and color are also awful, The font is meant to mimic a handwritten one, and it's in white on a place background. This made reading the text a struggle. I barely managed to drag myself to the end of this story, but it just wasn't worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Sierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

DNF - around 40%

Rarely do I actually dnf books, this one however just wasn’t working with me. I’m not sure what I was expecting the storyline to be but I just wasn’t vibing with me. I really really liked the art style though, it was something I hadn’t seen before!! However I’m thankful for the opportunity to receive it as an ARC.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was dreamy and surreal, and the core narrative here is definitely interesting.

Unfortunately, the font choice and some stylistic decisions made it hard at times to tell who was speaking - - I also wasn't really able to get a sense of who was who, due to the way faces changed between panels.

I'd give their work a chance separately, but I don't think Roth volume 2 will be on my tbr.

[Audet Maxime · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enthralling exploration of the Wendigo mythology and human resilience. The ethereal art style of the graphic novel mixes perfectly with the tone of the story and gives the whole thing a dream-like vibe.

[As You Wish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is gonna live rent free in my head until the next one comes out. I don't watch horror films, but this was a lot like a horror film, in the best possible way. The illustrations were very cinematic, dark, unsettling. I don't know where the story is going but I love the cast.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Nations Culture and Folklore comes to life with this breathtaking novel. I learned so much from this book about both of those. The art is nothing I have ever seen before. Bravo! This is a so worth the read! I can’t wait for volume 2!

[Natalie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was very interesting, the folklore of the wheetago is something I had never heard of. The art style of edited photos was maybe not for me, just too dark and hard to decipher.

I would still try to read volume 2, as I would like to see where this is going.

[Katie Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of this story IMMEDIATELY! it's like the walking dead meets blood quantum meets until dawn and I'm obsessed. I'm also a huge fan of the artist, Christopher shy (who also did the artwork for a coheed and cambria graphic novel). His style is perfect for this dark, mysterious story.

[Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first entry for this series. The art is moody, dark, and different than the graphic novels I typically read. Can't wait for book 2.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous art! Creepy yet hopeful story.