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The Pit
In the aftermath of personal tragedy, Hugh and Sara retreat to an old family home in the woods of the Veluwe in the hopes of getting their lives back on track. But can you run fast enough to escape the past? And what do those strange glyphs carved into the old beech trees really mean?
Erik Kriek's latest graphic novel is a contemporary work of magical realism, that is not set in the dark forests of North America (In the Pines, Fantagraphics, 2017), nor in the cold hills of medieval Iceland (The Exile, Living the Line, 2023), but in the rural countryside of the Netherlands.
Erik Kriek's latest graphic novel is a contemporary work of magical realism, that is not set in the dark forests of North America (In the Pines, Fantagraphics, 2017), nor in the cold hills of medieval Iceland (The Exile, Living the Line, 2023), but in the rural countryside of the Netherlands.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 2023
137 people want to read
About the author
Erik Kriek
34 books24 followersErik Kriek is an award-winning illustrator, designer and comic artist from Amsterdam. He is best known for his Gutsman comics, for which he won the Dutch award Stripschaprijis in 2008. In 2012 he published From Beyond and Other Tales, his collection of graphic reworkings of short stories by H.P.Lovecraft. Among his influences are US artists Daniel Clowes, Will Eisner, Charles Burns and Chris Ware, as well as the classic 1940s horror comics of E.C. Comics by such artists as Wallace Wood. He has also expressed admiration for Dutch artists including Peter Pontiac, Typex and Peter van Dongen. He lives in the Netherlands with his girlfriend and son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 18, 2023
Nederkraft. Polderlove. Chtulhu aan de Maas. Heerlijk. Die boomstronk gaat me nog veel nare nachten bezorgen.
Kriek weet heel lekker de thematiek van Lovekrafts universum te vertalen naar Oldenwold (of hoe het daar ook heet), inclusief saaie Nederlandse verkeersborden, zéér clichématige personages (vooral die architect is alles wat ik haat aan Nederlanders, met z'n clichés en sociale wenselijkheid en gebrek aan emotionele lagen, terwijl het echt wel een goed mens is) en oerbossen met de grootte van een tennisveld.
De tekeningen zijn heerlijk. Zijn retronederland (maar wel met windmolens) en upside down zijn prachtig, net als de vele perspectieven, kaders en bewegingen. En dat huis hé? Prachtig, prachtig.
Enige jammere is dat het verhaal net niet absurd genoeg is, dat die parallelle wereld te ver weg blijft. Die gekke oma, die mocht meer en freakier zijn. Die poel, die mocht meer gekte ontsluiten. En die vrouw, die mocht véél verder doordraven.
Kriek weet heel lekker de thematiek van Lovekrafts universum te vertalen naar Oldenwold (of hoe het daar ook heet), inclusief saaie Nederlandse verkeersborden, zéér clichématige personages (vooral die architect is alles wat ik haat aan Nederlanders, met z'n clichés en sociale wenselijkheid en gebrek aan emotionele lagen, terwijl het echt wel een goed mens is) en oerbossen met de grootte van een tennisveld.
De tekeningen zijn heerlijk. Zijn retronederland (maar wel met windmolens) en upside down zijn prachtig, net als de vele perspectieven, kaders en bewegingen. En dat huis hé? Prachtig, prachtig.
Enige jammere is dat het verhaal net niet absurd genoeg is, dat die parallelle wereld te ver weg blijft. Die gekke oma, die mocht meer en freakier zijn. Die poel, die mocht meer gekte ontsluiten. En die vrouw, die mocht véél verder doordraven.
July 25, 2023
Pretty solid little horror story. Kriek is particularly great at drawing ominous forest scenery. In general, the art is very lush. The writing on the other hand is only fine. The narrative is pretty gripping and intriguing up to the final act, when events take a turn for the predictable and the tension is kind of deflated. Nonetheless Kriek manages to wrap up the story in a genre appropriate way.
August 29, 2025
(2.5) This book was fine—not great, not terrible. It held just enough suspense to keep me reading, though I never felt fully invested. The story follows a couple who move into a rural ancestral home after the devastating loss of their son, seeking peace away from the city. What begins as a psychological study of grief slowly blends into a thriller tinged with supernatural folklore tied to the surrounding woods. The atmosphere is reinforced by the shady artwork—washed in hues of green and red, accented with shadows—that mirrors the story’s eerie undertones. Interesting in parts, but not quite memorable.
July 2, 2023
Psychologische horrorthriller, al valt het wel nog goed mee met de horror.
Zeker entertainend, maar het is moeilijk om in dit genre nog echt origineel uit de hoek te komen.
De tekeningen van Kriek zijn wel heel erg sfeervol en bij momenten angstaanjagend.
3,5 ⭐
Zeker entertainend, maar het is moeilijk om in dit genre nog echt origineel uit de hoek te komen.
De tekeningen van Kriek zijn wel heel erg sfeervol en bij momenten angstaanjagend.
3,5 ⭐
November 2, 2025
One of those books that tries to weave an entire story in that narrow valley of ambiguity between the supernatural and being off your meds. I dislike that sub-genre.
Here, a husband and wife relocate to an inherited manor house in the Dutch countryside in the aftermath of a personal tragedy they are still grieving. Trees in the surrounding forest have weird runes, meds are flushed, bad things ensue.
I will admit, the most chilling moment in the book is the tossed-off afterthought of a final line.
But an otherwise middling book is especially hurt by a lot of careless errors and stupid editorial decisions. The back cover touts how important it is that the book is set in the Netherlands, but the translation team -- the author and English adapter Sean Michael Robinson -- proceed to change the authentic Dutch name of husband Huub Kuylder to Hugh Pittman. The Dutch village of Oldenwolde becomes either Elpstead or Eldstead, depending on which page of the book you give more credence, because Robinson, who also lettered the book, couldn't keep it consistent. (He also bobbles the spelling of two side characters' names: Gary Swank/Gary Suank and Jaco/Jacco.) These silly Anglicizations are driven home by the fact that while Hugh and Elpstead are in the word balloons, the art is left unchanged and we get to see Huub's name on a cell phone and Oldenwolde's on the city limits sign -- twice. If they don't care about the final product, then neither do I.
Here, a husband and wife relocate to an inherited manor house in the Dutch countryside in the aftermath of a personal tragedy they are still grieving. Trees in the surrounding forest have weird runes, meds are flushed, bad things ensue.
I will admit, the most chilling moment in the book is the tossed-off afterthought of a final line.
But an otherwise middling book is especially hurt by a lot of careless errors and stupid editorial decisions. The back cover touts how important it is that the book is set in the Netherlands, but the translation team -- the author and English adapter Sean Michael Robinson -- proceed to change the authentic Dutch name of husband Huub Kuylder to Hugh Pittman. The Dutch village of Oldenwolde becomes either Elpstead or Eldstead, depending on which page of the book you give more credence, because Robinson, who also lettered the book, couldn't keep it consistent. (He also bobbles the spelling of two side characters' names: Gary Swank/Gary Suank and Jaco/Jacco.) These silly Anglicizations are driven home by the fact that while Hugh and Elpstead are in the word balloons, the art is left unchanged and we get to see Huub's name on a cell phone and Oldenwolde's on the city limits sign -- twice. If they don't care about the final product, then neither do I.
December 27, 2025
It left a lot to be desired.
October 10, 2025
Overall liked the story and the way base colors were used to set up which type of scene was unfolding. I do wonder if the translation was a little wonky because some conversations came across really clunky (affected my impression of the main relationship) and overly alarming for the specific moment of the story.
A really good (and sad) exploration of grief though overall
A really good (and sad) exploration of grief though overall
March 24, 2024
Interesante, si bien predecible en todo momento, cómic. Resulta mucho más interesante leerlo como metáfora de la pérdida y la incapacidad para lidiar con ella que en un sentido literal, pero, lamentablemente, la progresión de los hechos y la repercusión que estos tienen en el mundo real (en el mundo real del tebeo, se entiende) no nos permite circunscribirlos al estado mental de la protagonista, por lo que hay que conformarse con admirar la atmósfera perfectamente lograda de Kriek mediante viñetas claustrofóbicas y malsanas, donde las sonrisas son muecas talladas en los rostros de los personajes, la felicidad una impostura y la naturaleza una trampa mortal, incomprensible e inhóspita para el ser humano.
En efecto, aunque el arte de Kriek es indudablemente deudor del de Charles Burns, logra despegarse del maestro americano para gozar de personalidad propia gracias, sobre todo, a su uso maestro del color, minimalista y apropiado a la vez, pero, de todas maneras, a Kriek le falta todavía un punto de originalidad y de capacidad para desarrollar situaciones surrealistas con personajes cotidianos para emular (si no superar) con efectividad al que es a todas luces su mentor. En definitiva, un buen cómic al que le falta algo para resultar memorable.
En efecto, aunque el arte de Kriek es indudablemente deudor del de Charles Burns, logra despegarse del maestro americano para gozar de personalidad propia gracias, sobre todo, a su uso maestro del color, minimalista y apropiado a la vez, pero, de todas maneras, a Kriek le falta todavía un punto de originalidad y de capacidad para desarrollar situaciones surrealistas con personajes cotidianos para emular (si no superar) con efectividad al que es a todas luces su mentor. En definitiva, un buen cómic al que le falta algo para resultar memorable.
May 23, 2024
La oscuridad del dibujo acompaña muy bien esta historia oscura. Realmente la historia no es especialmente original, ni la forma de contarla, de hecho es bastante previsible, pero está bien contada y no he considerado una perdida de tiempo lo que he tardado en leermela.
December 25, 2024
I received this DRC from Edelweiss.
I liked the artwork and color pallette used. I appreciated the differentiation between the present and the flashbacks. It could've used a bit more character development; ditching the medication felt like it just happened to push the plot forward. I also would've liked to have some hints as to what was happening. But it was still an interesting story overall.
I liked the artwork and color pallette used. I appreciated the differentiation between the present and the flashbacks. It could've used a bit more character development; ditching the medication felt like it just happened to push the plot forward. I also would've liked to have some hints as to what was happening. But it was still an interesting story overall.
June 3, 2024
Oh snap. Ik vond de art niet echt mijn ding (vooral de mensen waren op punten heel vreemd getekend), maar het verhaal was top. Heel spannend, een vleugje treurig, en ook wat eng (vooral als mensen doodgaan). Het einde was zowel OMG als verdrietig.
March 30, 2025
An architect inherits a large estate before this graphic novel starts – a coach house, a main home, and forest out back. But things are not as they seem. The trees are marked with rune-like enchantments, a black pool of creepiness has seeped into the scar left by a mahoosive tree falling down, and the old codger who left the estate seems to have believed some wacky stuff. Still, it might be a great new home for the couple moving in – if only they hadn't lost their son six years ago to an RTA, if only she wasn't on medication and therapy for the loss, and if only similar hadn't happened to the recently departed. Is this a literal pit of doom, or is all the creepy threat just in someone's mind?
This is most distinctive due to the reduced palette – we get grey, brown and green and that's it. It really makes the flashbacks get picked out when they're just in greyscale, and the rest is definitely muted and moody. There was a large issue in that I took ages to realise this was set in Holland – I guess I ought to read car number plates a lot more to know for sure. But until then the Boondocks, USA feel was strong, and I believed this couple were unwittingly entering some arcane existence. The ending (a touch rushed, I felt) was enough to make you wonder quite what was what, but the piece certainly exists as a ramping-up of bereavement, even if it really allows you to Another large hiccup concerns the passage of time – you think something happens the day after something else and they're a month apart, but mentioning too many demerits is not fair – this was definitely an enjoyable scan, and even if you wouldn't re-read it it still had a fine stand-out feel to it all. Four stars, and perhaps a tree-leaf's thickness more.
This is most distinctive due to the reduced palette – we get grey, brown and green and that's it. It really makes the flashbacks get picked out when they're just in greyscale, and the rest is definitely muted and moody. There was a large issue in that I took ages to realise this was set in Holland – I guess I ought to read car number plates a lot more to know for sure. But until then the Boondocks, USA feel was strong, and I believed this couple were unwittingly entering some arcane existence. The ending (a touch rushed, I felt) was enough to make you wonder quite what was what, but the piece certainly exists as a ramping-up of bereavement, even if it really allows you to Another large hiccup concerns the passage of time – you think something happens the day after something else and they're a month apart, but mentioning too many demerits is not fair – this was definitely an enjoyable scan, and even if you wouldn't re-read it it still had a fine stand-out feel to it all. Four stars, and perhaps a tree-leaf's thickness more.
May 20, 2025
The Pit (2023/2025 English edition) is a solid cabin-in-the woods horror graphic novel by Dutch cartoonist Erik Kriek. My fintroduction to Kriek, who has only four works translated into English, I think, and not that many long form comics. I got a Charles Burns vibe from the artwork.
The Pit is a place in the woods connected to occult iconography etched in trees. Obviously it figures in the nightmare action that follows. She is an artist, in therapy and on meds 6 years after their 12-year-old son is killed. The couple buys a fixer-upper where lights come on, diaries filled with occult iconography and some language that may bear (for some reason) some relationship to Icelandic? Mom, an artist, has done no art in the 6 year grieving time. When they move in she decides to throw all her meds down the drain; let's just call that a mistake. Then Dad goes on a work trip for a month: Perfect timing.
There's maybe not enough character development and little of what happens seems surprising in any way, but I like the artwork and like I say: solid overall. I liked the appendices where we see the sketches and worldbuilding development, and we see the image that kicked off the project for him. I like artists that talk a bit about the process with us. The hardcover is a really fine artifact.
The Pit is a place in the woods connected to occult iconography etched in trees. Obviously it figures in the nightmare action that follows. She is an artist, in therapy and on meds 6 years after their 12-year-old son is killed. The couple buys a fixer-upper where lights come on, diaries filled with occult iconography and some language that may bear (for some reason) some relationship to Icelandic? Mom, an artist, has done no art in the 6 year grieving time. When they move in she decides to throw all her meds down the drain; let's just call that a mistake. Then Dad goes on a work trip for a month: Perfect timing.
There's maybe not enough character development and little of what happens seems surprising in any way, but I like the artwork and like I say: solid overall. I liked the appendices where we see the sketches and worldbuilding development, and we see the image that kicked off the project for him. I like artists that talk a bit about the process with us. The hardcover is a really fine artifact.
July 8, 2025
Basic Info:
Pub date: April 29th, 2025
Publisher: Living the Line
Page Count: 144
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- translated to English from the Dutch
- graphic novels with beautiful artwork and appealing color palette
- married couples who move to a new house for a "fresh start" after tragedy or marital unrest (a favorite trope)
- "don't go in the woods" trope
- folk horror elements like symbols carved on trees
- grief horror like couples who have lost a child
__
Minor complaints:
- character development is a little thin
- some storylines could have used a bit more background (the husband's uncle/journals)
- maybe a few pages dedicated to the black pool and its origins
Final recommendation: I'm celebrating folk horror summer and this was the perfect addition to my line-up. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I have it in my library. Worth noting, the author thanks The Dutch Foundation for Literature which has the task of supporting writers and translators, and of promoting Dutch literature abroad. I love that
Pub date: April 29th, 2025
Publisher: Living the Line
Page Count: 144
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
- translated to English from the Dutch
- graphic novels with beautiful artwork and appealing color palette
- married couples who move to a new house for a "fresh start" after tragedy or marital unrest (a favorite trope)
- "don't go in the woods" trope
- folk horror elements like symbols carved on trees
- grief horror like couples who have lost a child
__
Minor complaints:
- character development is a little thin
- some storylines could have used a bit more background (the husband's uncle/journals)
- maybe a few pages dedicated to the black pool and its origins
Final recommendation: I'm celebrating folk horror summer and this was the perfect addition to my line-up. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I have it in my library. Worth noting, the author thanks The Dutch Foundation for Literature which has the task of supporting writers and translators, and of promoting Dutch literature abroad. I love that
May 8, 2024
Un cuento de terror con un cierto aire de folk horror y muchos lugares comunes que los amantes del género reconocemos fácilmente, sin que esto sea algo negativo, es de lectura muy agradable y amena, acompañada por el característico dibujo de Erik Kriek construido a base de masas y tramas de negro y paleta limitada de color plano que le sienta muy bien a la historia.
June 24, 2025
I didn't love this. The story was interesting, but it really needed to be fleshed out more. The premise is that a couple whose son died tragically move to a house in the woods, only to find some strange markings on the surrounding trees. Surprise surprise, strange things start happening. But then boom, it's over. The drawing style isn't my favorite, either. A pretty solid meh.
August 26, 2025
Just OK. I love the premise, set up and characters but I thought that, ultimately, the execution was underwhelming. The story neglected opportunities to expand setting, mystery and lore, which led to a disappointing finish.
October 15, 2025
4.5 Would love it more if there were more grotesque illustrations that deepen the folklore. Otherwise, quick dun read where the story matches the illustrations fairly well. Great to have artists like Erik Kriek to uplift the horror (/weird?) genre in the Benelux.
December 5, 2025
excellent book! it was about a woman and her husband who lost their son in an accident. She is still grieving despite it being 6 years. Then things start to take a turn for the worst when she moves to an isolated forest area.
July 9, 2024
Niet zo mooi getekend, vooral de gezichten niet, het verhaal is vaag en oninteressant.
December 8, 2024
me gustaron mas los sketches/ la idea de lo que pudo ser vs el producto final.
February 18, 2025
5⭐ voor de art, 2 ⭐ verhaal jammer genoeg. Wel van genoten!
April 12, 2025
Coincido con otras opiniones que he leido, el dibujo y el uso del color son preciosos pero el guión es mejorable.
May 27, 2025
Creepy ghost story (ish) with evocative artwork. Recommended (unless maybe you've lost a child).
July 20, 2025
Love the art style. Ambiguous + creepy story about grief
July 30, 2025
The Pit, Erik Kriek.
Sad, superstitious and supernatural. Ghastly and grizzly. ***
Sad, superstitious and supernatural. Ghastly and grizzly. ***
September 3, 2025
Very cinematic! Not simply in the visual style but the structure as well. Somebody get me A24’s number (NOT the AI department)
October 5, 2025
So dark, so different from the cute/beautiful graphic novels I gravitate towards. Nice change of pace for me - good storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews