Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu

Hard Case Crime Comics #34

by Cynthia von Buhler, Jim Campbell (Letterer)

The plucky detective returns in her thrilling third graphic novel, this time with an occult horror twist!

Sensational artist Cynthia von Buhler melds her glorious illustrations with the eldritch elements of HP Lovecraft and Aleister Crowley.

Inspired by a true WWII maritime operation, shocking satanic events, monstrous men, and one salacious sea creature, this volume tells the tale of Minky’s encounter with legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, creator of the dreaded Cthulhu.

Following the death of Harry Houdini, Minky is approached by the occultist and writer Aleister Crowley to help vindicate him from an accusation of murder. This throws Minky into an occult underworld and leads to a much bigger investigation involving a missing man and Britain's secret service. Meanwhile, Lovecraftian horrors plague her dreams, and it’s up to Minky to discover the connections between the two writers and the mysterious death of her mother. Based on an actual WWII maritime operation inspired by a detective novel, Minky discovers how writers, including Ian Fleming, helped end WWII.

From the mind of lauded artist, author, and playwright, Cynthia von Buhler, this third installment in the gumshoe detective series takes the thrills and twists to new heights!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Mystery, Horror, Crime, Supernatural, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

Adult Books:

Cynthia von Buhler is an American artist, performer, playwright and author. Hailed by the press as “multitalented and eccentric” (Boston Globe), a “rising star” (NY Arts), and “one of the top contemporary surrealists” (Art & Antiques), Cynthia von Buhler has made a name for herself as an award-winning and critically acclaimed fine artist, author, and illustrator. Her illustration work has won awards from the Society of Illustrators and has repeatedly appeared in American Illustration, Communication Arts and the Society of Illustrator annuals of the best illustration in America. Von Buhler's stunning, three-dimensional paintings have been displayed in galleries and museums around the world, and have been featured in books, newspapers and magazines from Rolling Stone to The New Yorker. The New York Times has written four features on her in the last five years. Von Buhler has collaborated on art projects with Steven Spielberg, Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. She has illustrated book covers for Harry Turtledove, Scott O’Dell, Jane Yolen, Elizabeth George Speare and Lawrence Block. Her sculptures have appeared on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, she and her work were profiled in Mary Magdalen: An Intimate Portrait on the Lifetime Network, and she was a recurring character on Discovery Channel’s Oddities. Von Buhler also writes, directs and produces immersive theater. In writing about her theater productions, Forbes called her “a creative genius” and the New York Post wrote, “Von Buhler has the kind of family footnote any writer would kill for.” Von Buhler was the lead singer in two seminal Boston bands, The Women of Sodom and Countess, the latter garnering her a development deal with MCA Records. Her comic work includes Evelyn Evelyn: A Terrible Tale in Two Tomes with Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley, An Evening with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer, Speakeasy Dollhouse: The Bloody Beginning and Emily and The Strangers.

Children's Books:

Cynthia von Buhler (represented by Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary Agency)

Cynthia von Buhler's picture books include BUT WHO WILL BELL THE CATS? (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) and THE CAT WHO WOULDN'T COME INSIDE (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), which was chosen as a Book Sense "Children's Pick" and "Best of 2006" by Parent & Child Magazine. The 3-D dioramas she created for these books have been exhibited at museums throughout the country, including The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford, CT. In addition to her own titles, she has illustrated many other books. THEY CALLED HER MOLLY PITCHER (Knopf) written by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Von Buhler was chosen by The New York Public Library as one of "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." LITTLE GIRL IN A RED DRESS WITH CAT AND DOG (Viking) written by Nicholas Nicholson and illustrated by Von Buhler was starred in Publisher's Weekly. She illustrated Martha Stewart's story for ONCE UPON A FAIRY TALE (Viking), a book produced by Steven Speilberg. She has also illustrated dozens of young adult book covers including QUEEN'S OWN FOOL (Puffin) by Jane Yolen,THE ROAD TO DAMIETTA (Graphia) by Scott O'Dell, and reprints of two Newbery medal winners, THE BRONZE BOW (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth George Speare and THE PERILOUS GARD (Sandpiper) by Elizabeth Marie Pope. Her award-winning illustrations have appeared in thousands of publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, and Rolling Stone.

Reviews

[Gareth Is Haunted · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that you love about a Hard Case Crime novel all wrapped up in a well crafted graphic novel.
I have to admit, I've been a fan of the Hard Case Crime imprint for some time. I'll admit because of this I'm maybe a little biased, but aren't we all.
Anyways this graphic novel has everything you'd expect, raunchy moment, plenty of scandal and witty, quick fire dialog.
I think I'm in love ❤️
Oh wait, don't forget the amazing Lovecraftian aspects of this publication, simply delicious!

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I am not the biggest fan of the art in Cynthia von Buhler's Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulu, and I dove into the Minky Woodcock books with this volume, thereby leaving myself floundering to figure out what the hell was going on, there are three things that have captured my attention and will spur me on to the other volumes that exist out there.

It's historicism: Watching Minky bump into Aleister Crowley, Ian Fleming, Josephine Baker Harry Houdini, HP Lovecraft, et al., was too much fun, and I see clearly that her Young Indiana Jonesing is at the heart of all the graphic novels, so I can't wait to see who else she crosses paths with.

Minky herself: Ms. Woodcock is a fun character. Sexy, sassy, tough, smart, smutty, talented, independent. Buhler quite rightly connects her to Ian Fleming's famous spy. How fun that there is a clear suggestion of inspiration in their meeting.

The Q&A: My favourite part of The Girl Called Cthulu was absolutely Buhler answering questions to justify Minky's interactions. The clear time and effort she's put into the historical moments she is writing about and how they could connect to her leading lady make Buhler a writer worth getting to know. Plus, all those little nuggets of knowledge were a blast to learn.

Weird and fun.

[Ben A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minky returns for her third adventure and this one was as fun, as sexy and as jam packed as the previous installments but the mystery was darker, deeper and more emotional in all the best ways.

Special Thanks to Titan Comics and Edelweiss Plus for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[Snakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

The third installment of the Minky Woodcock series. This graphic novel had too many ideas and threads and ended up seeming like a celebrity name dropping interview. My least favorite of the three.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu" Cynthia von Buhler has brought back her redheaded rabbit loving titular heroine for even more zany nude, rude and crude antics. Expect a story that spans the timeline established, by the two previous books, creepy appearances of both H.P. Lovecraft and Aleister Crowley, a good dose of wartime espionage based closely on real occurrences, a few strategically placed octopi, a reappearance of Josephine Baker - because why not and lots of unclothed and non sober hijinks. I still do not get the rabbits, but they have come to grow on me and I would actually have liked to see a few more bunny infested panels.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is only one criticism that I have: this is one of those rare books that should be longer. Titan Books should have given Cynthia Von Buhler at least six issues, not four, to tell this Minky Woodcock story.

[Crimson Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this graphic novel

this was an interesting read which kept me interested but not a series I will be continuing with

[s.j.hannaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

🆒

Stylish based on fact espionage thriller, has all sorts of twists & turns with a bit of sex thrown in to keep the interest & there really isn’t a dull moment !!!?

[The Smoog · Rating 1 out of 5]

No real story to speak of, things just kind of happen one after the other for no particular reason, and the characters motivations were less than flimsy. The artwork did absolutely nothing for me, but YMMV on that score. I also felt it more than a little gratuitous, with naked shots on every other panel just for the sake of it.

One final thing, the writer seems to take great delight in highlighting the flaws of the real-world characters she’s inserted into this (in Houdini's case without anything concrete to base it on) while making money by using their likenesses and creations to sell comics, which really left a bad taste in my mouth.

I’m glad to say that I’ve finished this book, and I certainly won’t be looking for any more in the series.

[Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of von Buhler's comics I've read, and again the title and the cover art are misleading. So I'm assuming that's just what she does.
And so are unnecessary nudity and sex scenes that don't further the plot. If you can call this collage of mostly unrelated events a plot.

Anyway, if you're thinking about reading 'The Girl Called Cthulhu', you should know that this is NOT an addition to the Cthulhu mythos.
It's not set in the/a world of the mythos. And although H.P. Lovecraft himself does appear for a little more than a cameo, he's only there because von Buhler seems to be (or possibly have been) in her Aleister Crowley phase, and because Kenneth Grant's overactive imagination saw a link between the two that's... debatable.

But don't get me wrong. I don't mind that von Buhler brought HPL and AC together. It's a comic, so this makes sense. And I can even accept that they're both superficial caricatures of their real-life counterparts.

What I absolutely do mind are von Buhler's double standards.

When it comes to Lovecraft, she's all preachy. And sure, by today's standards he was an awful person. But so was Crowley. And much more so. (I know his fans won't like this, but look at the way he treated Victor Neuburg, and then tell me how that's not worse than Lovecraft.)
But whereas Lovecraft is consistently portrayed in the most negative light possible, Crowley gets a pass for all he does, and he's even glorified to a degree!
And von Buhler's version of Crowley is a kidnapper, a likely (mass) murderer, an accomplice to murder, and at one point of the story, he has both Lovecraft and his wife gang raped! Oh, and the only reason why we don't see him kill people as human sacrifices seems to be that he's stopped in the last moment.

So regardless of what you think about the real Crowley, von Buhler's Crowley is objectively awful.

But it's Lovecraft she calls monstrous, not Crowley. Even though they both had more or less the same views on different groups of people. (And again, look how Crowley treated Victor Neuburg.)

So, as I said before, double standards. Made worse by preachiness.

Then there's von Buhler's "extensive research" she mentions in the fake fan letter section.

I don't want to be mean, but I would bet a large sum of money that I can correctly identify most if not all of the sources she used for 'The Girl Called Cthulhu', that this list of sources is relatively short, and that it includes an article from one of two Wikis about the Cthulhu mythos.
Also, she attributes some of Grant's ideas to Crowley, and seems to mistake a name from the Simon Necronomicon for authentic Sumerian mythology. So "extensive" may be a big word to describe her research.

Then there's the part of the comic where it essentially becomes a James Bond story.

Logically this should be the main part of 'The Girl Called Cthulhu' with the Betty May story as an opening scene. And since the Lovecraft subplot doesn't really do anything for the plot, I'd cut that out. But I assume that von Buhler liked her title too much to do that.

Anyway. What should have been the main part of this comic is in reality only around a quarter of the story. And it's sandwiched between the unnecessary Lovecraft subplot, and a completely unnecessary kidnapping subplot that only exists so von Buhler can name-drop Jack the Ripper.

And because she wants to really drive home that Minky Woodcock inspired Fleming to write James Bond (and name him James Bond), von Buhler then completely abandons what little held the plot together up to that point, and writes a mess of an ending that is made possible by the Deus ex Machina of Josephine Baker!

But, despite my criticism, 'The Girl Called Cthulhu' is interesting. And it could and should have been really good, if von Buhler had focused on Ian Fleming, as she originally wanted. Or, alternatively, she could have focused on Lovecraft and his mythos. That would change 'The Girl Called Cthulhu' completely, but it could work too.
Instead von Buhler tried to do everything at once, and that just didn't work.

BUT, I see a lot of potential in this story. So I guess this won't be the last of von Buhler's comics I read. But please, focus on one main idea!

[Craig Childs · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law."

"It is often the prude that harbors the greatest depravity."

Private investigator Minky Woodcock is hired by British occultist Aleister Crowley in 1926 to clear his name of the death of Raoul Loveday…

Thus begins an uneasy relationship between Minky and Aleister that will span decades, inspire an entire new genre of pulp fiction, and turn the fortunes of a war…

For my money, Cynthia Von Buhler's Minky Woodcock graphic novels represent the best of what Titan and Hard Case Crime have to offer in crime comics. Von Buhler's sexy, violent mysteries blend outrageous fictional drama with real-life historical conspiracies. Her illustrations incorporate a unique faux art-deco style that gives the impression of the Roaring Twenties on an acid trip.

This third volume in the series collects the 4-issue arc "The Girl Called Cthulhu". It feels more episodic than the previous two arcs because this story spans sixteen years and each issue incorporates a time jump.

Aleister Crowley is a fascinating historical figure, a magician who was the subject of a Somerset Maugham novel in 1908, a charlatan who founded a cult religion, and a (probable) spy who (may have) assisted in the famous Operation Mincemeat.

In the first issue, a psychotic young widow Betty May Loveday blames Crowley for the death of her husband and accuses him in the press of staging orgies and bizarre animal sacrifices. Minky is not sure Aleister is innocent, but she learns never to accept postcoital gifts from Betty if you value your life…

In the second issue, Minky and H. P. Lovecraft participate in a séance on Esopus island, where Lovecraft first glimpses the Great Old Ones that would come to dominate his fiction and his night terrors…

In the third issue, Minky gets entangled with Crowley, Ian Fleming, and Operation Mincemeat, when she discovers the corpse being sent to Spain with false documentation is the brother of a friend…

Unfortunately, the final issue fails to satisfactorily knit these plot threads together. Aleister Crowley fakes his own suicide--something he did in real life, too--but it does not make much sense in this context. Minky confirms her parents used to be in Crowley's cult, and her mother somehow divined the identity of Jack the Ripper, but Minky never learns who it is. There are also a few ham-handed hints that Minky was Ian Fleming's inspiration for James Bond…

Despite a flat, somewhat clumsy ending, I still really enjoy this series. I am also still eagerly waiting for the announced Minky Woodcock: They Die Fast on Broadway about the death of silent-film actress Olive Thomas.

4 stars

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5

I knew/(know) nothing about this character Minky Woodcock. and I've never read anything by Cynthia von Buhler, but I was in the mood for something in the noir vein and a Hard Case Crime book is usually good to meet that need!

Following the death of Harry Houdini (with whom Minky had a close relationship), Minky works with both Howard Phillips Lovecraft and Aleister Crowley to help Crowley who's been accused of murder. This association brings Minky into a dark world of occultism.

This was ... this was unexpected. I went in to this book completely blind to the character and to the ongoing storyline. And honestly, at the start, I didn't like anything about the book. I didn't like the art, I didn't like the characters, and I didn't like the story.

But as I read on, I reached a point where everything clicked. I can't say where that was, but I went back, started again, and I just really got into this. The art seemed to fit well with the story and setting, and Minky's character suddenly made sense to me. As of this moment, this could easily be my favorite graphic novel of the year.

And then ...! Then I hit the end of the book in which the artist/author, Cynthia von Buhler, describes how this is based on an actual WWII maritime operation inspired by a detective novel. It truly made everything I'd just read so much more impressive.

This is not a lite-read graphic novel. There's so much here on every page, on every panel. I'm extremely glad I took my time and started over, because this is a powerhouse of a graphic novel. Fans of Lovecraft (and presumably Crowley - though I've never read him) should really enjoy this.

Knowing, now, that this is the third book in a series, I'm seeking out the first two, because I'm a fan.

Looking for a good book? Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu is a tremendous, dark, graphic novel mystery. Definitely worth a read!

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we met you confided that you have been plagued by terrible aquatic nightmares. As a writer of the macabre, I am all too familiar with the power of the subconscious to torment the waking mind, and I assure you that you are not alone in your suffering. I too have experienced horrific night terrors since I was a boy.

I do love a graphic novel that weaves together historical events with new characters in order to give a mysterious twist.

In this third Minky Woodcock adventure we get a glimpse into the life of H.P. Lovecraft and his relationship with Harry Houdini, who was the focus of a previous adventure. We see Lovecraft being introduced to Aleister Crowley and learn of Crowley's association with Ian Fleming during the second world war.

We get further hints about the mysterious death of Minky's mother as our titular character delves into the world of the British occult, secret war plans, and the disappearance of a friend's brother.

It was interesting to find out that Lovecraft ghost-wrote a story with Houdini, Houdini: Under the Pyramids, which I am now going to delve into (via the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society dramatisation).

Regarding this story, I have to be a little critical. The timeline bounced around a lot and it felt like it was trying to pack a little too much in. The Q&As at the end did help tie up some threads but I was left feeling a little disappointed due to the high bar that the first two volumes set. A modest 4 stars.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugest of thanks once more, to Julia at Titan Comics for my gifted review copy of the superbly named, 'Minky Woodcock-The Girl Called Cthulhu' , which was published in glorious hardcover in July 2025.

The Hard Case Crime series is one I was familiar with, but I was intrigued to see how this aesthetic would translate to a graphic novel format.

The first difference is that it is an original story, melting fantasy with fiction, and a cool gaze at the glories of the female form.

Minky spends quite a bit of time unclothed, so this is not a novel for the faint hearted, it starts with her in a naked embrace with Harry Houdini, and does not let up with this to the very last page.

Sensuality and sexuality are explored in connection with the ongoing story, it is not an exploitative facet of the tale, it is just who Minky is. She starts off as a companion of Houdini, through whom she catches the attention of Aleister Crowley as she is dragged into a Nazi nightmare where the enemies of the free world are using supernatural means to try and win the war.

Minky is a private detective by trade and a damned good one even if her own father does not recognise her skills (he still has ...and SONS on the glass door to his office!)

This is what makes her so good, not only does she have an eye for details, she uses her looks to distract and ply secrets out of others with a keen grasp on the nature of the quest at hand.

It reflects the time where women were seen and not heard, but in the places where they are, their views and actions are taken very seriously-for example, this book starts with Houdini , moves through devil worship, onto Ian Fleming and Operation Mincemeat, where Minky plays a vital role.

What I loved about this story is the joy of celebrating women-my daughters have often asked me why women are mostly naked on the covers of Hard Cover Crime books, and I have asked them , what makes you assume they are painted/made by women . And why would they think because the women are almost naked , that they aren't powerful?

It was a great conversation -btw my daughters and husband read this novel before I did, being intrigued by the cover , which for me is a win, because that is 1 husband and 3 daughters who read a book they otherwise wouldn't have!

Definitely want to read Books 1 and 2, hopefully there will be a Book 4, please Titan Comics!!

[Missy (myweereads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law."

Cynthia Von Buhler's new installment in the Minky Woodcock series has her meeting the legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. She is visited by the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley to help vindicate him feom an accusation of murder. Minky is made to investigate which leads her to the occult underground, Britain's secret service and the truth behind the death of her mother.

This was a fun noir story. Fueled with associations between Lovecraft and Aleister Crowley, I can definitely see this being popular with fans of their works.

The artwork does so well in bringing to life the creatures from Lovecrafts world and the practices of the occult from Crowleys. Added with the suspensful investigation in which Minky finds herself in, it quickly became an addictive read.

This was entertaining and just makes you wany more from this series.

Many thanks to @titancomics for the copy.

[Robert Bussie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another historical fiction book by Cynthia Von Buhler staring the sexy detective Minky Woodcock. It is also my least favorite of the three trades I have read. It is neat combining historical people like Ian Fleming, H.P. Lovecraft, Aleister Crowley and others in a fictional story. The problem is that the story does not flow very well and is overall not interesting. Cynthia's first two books were much more interesting.

As with the other volumes the Q & A section in the back of the book is helpful and adds depth to the story with the hows and whys the author came up with ideas. She also clears up some misconceptions that could be inferred about the historical people and events in the book.

The art is done in a similar style as the previous books. The lines and coloring is reminiscent of old comic style from the 1930s, but with a more adult theme.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Minky Woodcock: The Girl Called Cthulhu collects issues 1-4 of the Titan Comics series written and illustrated by Cynthia Von Buhler.

Private detective Minky Woodcock takes on a case from the infamous Aleister Crowley that leaves her down a twisted path of the occult.

This book is structurally and narratively all over the place attempting to weave a narrative of intrigue involving many famous problematic writers of the time: Aleister Crowley, H.P. Lovecraft, and Ian Fleming. The story skips along adding random characters (who disappear just as quickly) and encounters that don’t make any sense other than to put Minky into compromised situations. I was constantly rereading the book thinking I had missed or skipped something, but no, it is just not written clearly. The art has always been the star of these books with Buhler’s style capturing the bombshell age extremely well.

[Michael Doane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t let the cover fool you. The pop art style in this one is unique, interesting, and top notch. The historical elements of the story are well researched and the concept is really unique — a private detective and spy wrapped up in conspiracy and intrigue adding to the mythos of legendary figures such as Houdini, H. P. Lovecraft, Ian Fleming, Aleister Crowley and more amidst the backdrop of World War II and events leading up to it. How it all came together didn’t really land for me, though I certainly enjoyed watching it all unfold.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reusing my review from the first two volumes as it still applies on every point:

Review is for the first two volumes in the series, read consecutively

The art is blocky and dull, the dialogue is flat, and the stories trite reskins of actual events ala Flashman with none of Flashman's charm.

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the other Minky Woodcock stories, this was a turkey. There's not a single story in these 4 issues. It's random encounters with Allister Crowley and H.P. Lovecraft. A miniseries should tell some kind of story and be more than just opportunities to see risque shots of Minky.

[Calvin Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

I usually really enjoy Hard Case tales, and this one tried with Lovecraft and Ian Fleming and Houdini and a connection to Jack the Ripper, but it didn't hold together as entertaining for me.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noir - sexy - with a story that moves.