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Anathema
How far will one woman go for the salvation of her beloved? Mercy Barlowe’s love for Sarah brings down Hell when her puritanical father discovers them together – and has his own daughter burnt at the stake.
But death is not the end. A monstrous cult of shapeshifters steal Sarah’s soul as part of its twisted plans to resurrect an ancient evil.
To defeat them, Mercy must take on a new form that will give her the power and fury needed to defeat the cult. She must become a werewolf!
But death is not the end. A monstrous cult of shapeshifters steal Sarah’s soul as part of its twisted plans to resurrect an ancient evil.
To defeat them, Mercy must take on a new form that will give her the power and fury needed to defeat the cult. She must become a werewolf!
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2015
2 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Autumn Deering
48 books65 followersRACHEL AUTUMN DEERING is an Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated writer, editor, and book designer from the hills of Appalachia. Her debut prose novella, HUSK, was published in 2016 and drew praise from many critics and fellow writers. Her upcoming novel, Wytchwood Hollow, is set for publication in 2018.
She has also written, edited, lettered, designed, and published comics and short prose for DC/Vertigo Comics, Blizzard Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Cartoon Network, and more.
Deering is a rock 'n' roll witch with a heart of slime. She lives with a bunch of monster masks in suburban Michigan.
She has also written, edited, lettered, designed, and published comics and short prose for DC/Vertigo Comics, Blizzard Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Cartoon Network, and more.
Deering is a rock 'n' roll witch with a heart of slime. She lives with a bunch of monster masks in suburban Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 5, 2021
Lesbian Werewolf Comic!
I saw that description when I was digging around for images and it made me giggle.
And it is a lesbian werewolf comic.
But not in the porn-y women in prison way, so don't get too excited.
The gist is that you have this woman who makes a deal with someone and uses the darker arts to become something that can avenge her lover's death and maybe save her soul in the process.
And off she goes on a quest looking like a mean version of Lassie!
The whole comic has this pulpy feel to it that was just...fun. And the art was kind of perfect for this sort of story. I wasn't sure how much I would like this when I was reading the back, but it turned out to be one of the favorites from this HUGE pile of Halloween/Birthday comics I got from a friend this month.
If you're looking for a spooky comic to set the mood for October, check this one out!
Recommended.
I saw that description when I was digging around for images and it made me giggle.
And it is a lesbian werewolf comic.
But not in the porn-y women in prison way, so don't get too excited.
The gist is that you have this woman who makes a deal with someone and uses the darker arts to become something that can avenge her lover's death and maybe save her soul in the process.
And off she goes on a quest looking like a mean version of Lassie!
The whole comic has this pulpy feel to it that was just...fun. And the art was kind of perfect for this sort of story. I wasn't sure how much I would like this when I was reading the back, but it turned out to be one of the favorites from this HUGE pile of Halloween/Birthday comics I got from a friend this month.
If you're looking for a spooky comic to set the mood for October, check this one out!
Recommended.
August 30, 2018
I almost gave this book 4 stars because it ends before the story is finished. But that's not to say that it's not worth the pain. It is among the top three best werewolf stories I've ever read. The writing is gripping, and evokes emotion. And the art is awesome. Christopher Mooneyham never disappoints.
If you can deal with the pain of an unfinished story, this is an incredible werewolf story.
If you can deal with the pain of an unfinished story, this is an incredible werewolf story.
June 1, 2023
There's so much potential in this little three issue collection. The premise is amazing. The art is super fresh and tight. The colours are awesome. The lettering is a bit frantic, but that's just me nit-picking. The chief problem with this story is that it doesn't have an ending (and probably never will).
I have seen references online to an issue 4 existing somewhere, however, it's clear from interviews with the author that Anathema was supposed to be a crowd-funded 6 issue limited series, and presented as such. What it looks like happened is that the project received full-funding, 3 out of 6 proposed issues for this comic were completed, sent to print as "Volume 1", and then the project was abandoned. It's such a shame, as the set-up and world-building are so good so far, and I would love to see where this story goes.
I would imagine there is a behind-the-scenes story for why this production never crossed the finish line, which I would be fascinated to hear. For what is presented here, you can really feel that this project was a labour of love.
If I'm rating each issue on their own merits, we may be dealing with a 4.5 here. Sadly, as an unfinished story, it leaves a lot to be desired.
I have seen references online to an issue 4 existing somewhere, however, it's clear from interviews with the author that Anathema was supposed to be a crowd-funded 6 issue limited series, and presented as such. What it looks like happened is that the project received full-funding, 3 out of 6 proposed issues for this comic were completed, sent to print as "Volume 1", and then the project was abandoned. It's such a shame, as the set-up and world-building are so good so far, and I would love to see where this story goes.
I would imagine there is a behind-the-scenes story for why this production never crossed the finish line, which I would be fascinated to hear. For what is presented here, you can really feel that this project was a labour of love.
If I'm rating each issue on their own merits, we may be dealing with a 4.5 here. Sadly, as an unfinished story, it leaves a lot to be desired.
November 10, 2016
Anathema isn't your usual comic about avenging a deceased love. For starters, Mercy and Sarah are both women, which adds a bit of interest and changes the dynamic. Instead of Sarah's father merely disliking her choice in lovers, he is repulsed by it, and demands she be cleansed by fire. She's hauled out of a cabin while Mercy watches, helpless. As she's burning, a demon-crow swoops down, lights on her shoulder, and steals her soul.
Mercy can't live with what happened, and so she goes to see Heinrich, sure that he can do something to help her avenge Sarah. Instead of giving her his powers or charms, he gives her a vial and a quest. However, if she chooses to drink the water in the vial, she'll turn into a werewolf, which can't be undone.
Of course she drinks the vial's contents, because there wouldn't be a story if she didn't. What follows is a quest to gather four pieces of an evil heart and destroy it forever, thereby releasing Sarah's soul from the torment of Hell.
Anathem is a great comic all around. The artwork is well done, the story flows, and the creatures are terrifying. I highly recommend it!
Mercy can't live with what happened, and so she goes to see Heinrich, sure that he can do something to help her avenge Sarah. Instead of giving her his powers or charms, he gives her a vial and a quest. However, if she chooses to drink the water in the vial, she'll turn into a werewolf, which can't be undone.
Of course she drinks the vial's contents, because there wouldn't be a story if she didn't. What follows is a quest to gather four pieces of an evil heart and destroy it forever, thereby releasing Sarah's soul from the torment of Hell.
Anathem is a great comic all around. The artwork is well done, the story flows, and the creatures are terrifying. I highly recommend it!
May 6, 2013
Taking old ideas and doing new things with them happens pretty often. Taking old ideas and doing new things with them that are actually good doesn't happen quite as often. Here, Rachel Deering has taken the old horror story staple, the werewolf, and done something truly different with it. The overall tone and style of the book really captures the feel of mature horror comics and magazines from the seventies.
Christopher Mooneyham's artwork is perfect for this story. It looks a little like a cross between Mike Mignola and Peter Gross. This collected edition shows the artwork of previous artists who were to do the book, but couldn't complete the project. Their work was great, but I definitely thing the art best suited to this book won out.
This first volume ends openly with plenty of unanswered questions. I look forward to future volumes.
Christopher Mooneyham's artwork is perfect for this story. It looks a little like a cross between Mike Mignola and Peter Gross. This collected edition shows the artwork of previous artists who were to do the book, but couldn't complete the project. Their work was great, but I definitely thing the art best suited to this book won out.
This first volume ends openly with plenty of unanswered questions. I look forward to future volumes.
November 5, 2013
Tras perder a su amada en las garras de un siniestro culto, Mercy Barlowe acepta un oscuro pacto para obtener venganza y detener su intención de resucitar a un antiquísimo mal, en una empresa plagada de horror y peligros...
Combinando tópicos del terror gótico con un toque de erotismo al estilo Hammer, el mayor logro de Rachel Deering está en componer una historia efectiva y amena, con personajes bien trazados y apoyada en un correcto apartado gráfico. El triunfo del oficio sobre el lugar común, recomendable para los fans del horror a la vieja usanza.
Combinando tópicos del terror gótico con un toque de erotismo al estilo Hammer, el mayor logro de Rachel Deering está en componer una historia efectiva y amena, con personajes bien trazados y apoyada en un correcto apartado gráfico. El triunfo del oficio sobre el lugar común, recomendable para los fans del horror a la vieja usanza.
September 6, 2016
Mercy has made a terrible mistake out of crippling fear, and sets her sights on atoning for it even if that means becoming a monster. This is a refreshing breath of air in horror comics and LGBT stories. Would love to see more but not sure if the author plans on continuing after having to Kickstarter fund this into existence.
June 13, 2016
I knew going in that this series had been cut short but even being left hanging I don't regret reading it. For only 96 pages there is so much potential here for something great. I just want to know why was Anathema was not continued?
June 3, 2016
The art and story is amazing, however it ends abruptly rather than suspenseful so I'm wondering is there any plans to continue this story? A volume 2 perhaps?
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews