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Hellebore Zine #11
Hellebore #11: The Animal Issue
Hares that are witches in disguise, ravens with prophetic powers, sacrificial wrens representing the god-king. Animals are often included in folk horror narratives because of their symbolic traits, or because of the folk beliefs surrounding them. Historically, animals have been understood as objects of cult worship, deities or devils incarnate, witches’ companions, omen bringers. They’ve also been re-imagined as hybrids, chimeras, and cryptids.
In this issue we tell tales of hares, moonlight, and madness, of half-glimpsed uncanny felines and the demon king of cats, of monstrous serpents with an appetite for destruction, of seemingly unassuming yet all-powerful toads. From the Isle of Man to the flatlands of Suffolk, the animals in these stories rise from the forest, from the field, from the waters, to re-enchant the landscape of these isles.
Edited by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo. Words by Elizabeth Dearnley, Timothy Grieve-Carlson, Justin Hopper, Mark Offord, Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, John A. Riley, Kristof Smeyers, Katy Soar, and Elizabeth Sulis Kim. Art direction by Nathaniel Hébert. Art contributions by Lorenza Daprà and Isabella Mazzanti.
In this issue we tell tales of hares, moonlight, and madness, of half-glimpsed uncanny felines and the demon king of cats, of monstrous serpents with an appetite for destruction, of seemingly unassuming yet all-powerful toads. From the Isle of Man to the flatlands of Suffolk, the animals in these stories rise from the forest, from the field, from the waters, to re-enchant the landscape of these isles.
Edited by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo. Words by Elizabeth Dearnley, Timothy Grieve-Carlson, Justin Hopper, Mark Offord, Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, John A. Riley, Kristof Smeyers, Katy Soar, and Elizabeth Sulis Kim. Art direction by Nathaniel Hébert. Art contributions by Lorenza Daprà and Isabella Mazzanti.
92 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 5, 2026
4 Stars — Hellebore #11: The Animal Issue
Some issues feel like folklore. This one feels like the entire British countryside rose up on its hind legs, stared you dead in the eye, and said, “We were here before you, and we’ll be here after.”
The Animal Issue is Hellebore at its most wild — not just animals as symbols, but animals as omens, shapeshifters, gods, devils, and the uncanny neighbors humanity has never fully understood. It leans into that ancient truth: the natural world is not passive. It watches. It remembers. It bites back.
This issue prowls through:
witch‑hares sprinting through moonlit fields
ravens carrying prophecy on their wings
wrens sacrificed as god‑kings
cats who are definitely not just cats (hello, demon king of felines)
serpents with mythic appetites
toads that look harmless until folklore says otherwise
It’s a bestiary of the uncanny — creatures half‑glimpsed, half‑imagined, fully alive in the collective memory of the isles.
What I love about this issue is how it treats animals not as background decoration but as active participants in the mythic landscape. They’re companions, omens, shapeshifters, cryptids, and sometimes the ones pulling the strings. The essays move from the Isle of Man to Suffolk’s flatlands, tracing how these creatures rise from field, forest, and water to re‑enchant the land.
The vibe is pure Hellebore:
moody, scholarly, eerie, and reverent — like reading by candlelight while something rustles just outside the window.
And the art?
Stunning.
Unsettling.
The kind of imagery that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally invited something ancient into the room.
This issue feels like a reminder that folklore isn’t just about people — it’s about the creatures who shared our fires, haunted our paths, and shaped our fears. It’s wild, uncanny, and beautifully alive.
A rich, atmospheric, creature‑soaked entry in the series — perfect for anyone who’s ever looked at an animal and thought, “You know something I don’t.”
Some issues feel like folklore. This one feels like the entire British countryside rose up on its hind legs, stared you dead in the eye, and said, “We were here before you, and we’ll be here after.”
The Animal Issue is Hellebore at its most wild — not just animals as symbols, but animals as omens, shapeshifters, gods, devils, and the uncanny neighbors humanity has never fully understood. It leans into that ancient truth: the natural world is not passive. It watches. It remembers. It bites back.
This issue prowls through:
witch‑hares sprinting through moonlit fields
ravens carrying prophecy on their wings
wrens sacrificed as god‑kings
cats who are definitely not just cats (hello, demon king of felines)
serpents with mythic appetites
toads that look harmless until folklore says otherwise
It’s a bestiary of the uncanny — creatures half‑glimpsed, half‑imagined, fully alive in the collective memory of the isles.
What I love about this issue is how it treats animals not as background decoration but as active participants in the mythic landscape. They’re companions, omens, shapeshifters, cryptids, and sometimes the ones pulling the strings. The essays move from the Isle of Man to Suffolk’s flatlands, tracing how these creatures rise from field, forest, and water to re‑enchant the land.
The vibe is pure Hellebore:
moody, scholarly, eerie, and reverent — like reading by candlelight while something rustles just outside the window.
And the art?
Stunning.
Unsettling.
The kind of imagery that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally invited something ancient into the room.
This issue feels like a reminder that folklore isn’t just about people — it’s about the creatures who shared our fires, haunted our paths, and shaped our fears. It’s wild, uncanny, and beautifully alive.
A rich, atmospheric, creature‑soaked entry in the series — perfect for anyone who’s ever looked at an animal and thought, “You know something I don’t.”
April 14, 2025
Hellebore is always on pre-order for me whenever a new issue comes out, even if I am about a year behind in getting to read them. I am a big fan of this zine that intersects folklore, folk horror, the occult, history and mythology in an accessible format whilst still being suitably scholarly.
Sadly, this issue I can only qualify as 'good', rather than my usual 'excellent'. The theme of the issue is 'animals' and after reading there were few essays that wowed me or made me reflect. There's nothing bad in here, more that there is nothing that amazes me.
Inside the issue we have articles about the folklore of hares, of cats, of wrens, ravens and worms, of toads etc. and there does seem to be a theme running through most of the pieces. Of animals involvement in witchcraft - as familiars, as transformed witches or as ingredients for spellcasting. There are stories of animals relationship to the fae, or as portents of some description. It seems pretty hard luck for the animal kingdom in folklore because you're normally getting blamed for something, tortured in spell work or your body parts used for some human purpose. Maybe that's what bothered me when reading?
The zine is beautifully presented and the art direction is always great. I found every piece interesting enough so maybe other people's mileage will vary here.
Sadly, this issue I can only qualify as 'good', rather than my usual 'excellent'. The theme of the issue is 'animals' and after reading there were few essays that wowed me or made me reflect. There's nothing bad in here, more that there is nothing that amazes me.
Inside the issue we have articles about the folklore of hares, of cats, of wrens, ravens and worms, of toads etc. and there does seem to be a theme running through most of the pieces. Of animals involvement in witchcraft - as familiars, as transformed witches or as ingredients for spellcasting. There are stories of animals relationship to the fae, or as portents of some description. It seems pretty hard luck for the animal kingdom in folklore because you're normally getting blamed for something, tortured in spell work or your body parts used for some human purpose. Maybe that's what bothered me when reading?
The zine is beautifully presented and the art direction is always great. I found every piece interesting enough so maybe other people's mileage will vary here.
November 30, 2024
This was my first issue of Hellebore magazine and I'm hooked.
Every article was fantastic and focused on animal lore. Hares, cats, ravens, worms, and the toad bone, which I knew nothing about.
I really liked that each contributor added the list of books used for their research so I have books to search for.
Every article was fantastic and focused on animal lore. Hares, cats, ravens, worms, and the toad bone, which I knew nothing about.
I really liked that each contributor added the list of books used for their research so I have books to search for.
April 3, 2025
Hey so I am kind of obsessed now! Hey so I love that they add sources at the end of the articles so you can research further! Hey so what if I said this is everything I love all blended together in a stunning magazine!
August 13, 2024
Caught up with late but another fantastic issue. I love Hellebore 🖤
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews