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Roots of Madness #1
A haunting tale from Stephanie Williams (Nubia & the Amazons) and Letizia Cadonici (House of Slaughter).
At the turn of the 20th century, a young Black woman named Etta picks up the tradition of her late mother for creating special medicines using natural ingredients and secrets handed down from generation to generation. Her mother has passed on a book of recipes and formulas, but it’s also full of strange symbols and dark musings that she doesn’t quite understand.
Within her community, one of the problems she hopes to fix is counteracting the poisonous and abrasive solutions Black women and girls are sold for straightening their hair. So, when the Meridian Fellowship reaches out and offers her a spot at their institute in Savannah, GA, to use their facilities to do her research, Etta jumps at the chance.
She packs up her mother’s book and heads to the sprawling establishment, but what she finds is a place surrounded by natural wonders that may point the way to understanding the more mysterious parts of her mother’s work… if dark forces don’t claim her first.
Inspired by the life of Madame CJ Walker, this alternate history combines tradition with cosmic horror for something truly modern and unique.
Featuring main covers by illustrator Juliet Nneka, whose illustrative work has appeared on prose novels, comics like Absolute Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, and in galleries.
At the turn of the 20th century, a young Black woman named Etta picks up the tradition of her late mother for creating special medicines using natural ingredients and secrets handed down from generation to generation. Her mother has passed on a book of recipes and formulas, but it’s also full of strange symbols and dark musings that she doesn’t quite understand.
Within her community, one of the problems she hopes to fix is counteracting the poisonous and abrasive solutions Black women and girls are sold for straightening their hair. So, when the Meridian Fellowship reaches out and offers her a spot at their institute in Savannah, GA, to use their facilities to do her research, Etta jumps at the chance.
She packs up her mother’s book and heads to the sprawling establishment, but what she finds is a place surrounded by natural wonders that may point the way to understanding the more mysterious parts of her mother’s work… if dark forces don’t claim her first.
Inspired by the life of Madame CJ Walker, this alternate history combines tradition with cosmic horror for something truly modern and unique.
Featuring main covers by illustrator Juliet Nneka, whose illustrative work has appeared on prose novels, comics like Absolute Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, and in galleries.
24 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 3, 2025
Herbal knowledge with science added when the real answers might be cosmic horror. I can’t wait to read more.
October 4, 2025
I enjoyed this, but it felt like a little more could have been given in the first issue. Felt a little empty for one issue. I am intrigued and willing to see where this story goes. I'm not totally in love with the art, but that's a personal preference.
May 1, 2026
How dope is this?
I've been meaning to jump into this storyline for months and I'm glad I finally opened this book. Stephanie Williams...the writing is so clutch! I love the exploration of the historical impact of hair chemicals on Black girls and women and even the emphasis on non traditional medicine in our society. Etta is a gem as a MC and I can see her growing as this series continues. The illustrations and artwork are on point as well. In fact, the cover is what drew me in when I saw it at a LCS. I'm eager to see if Etta will accept the proposal she's invited to consider, afterall...she never just wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and ancestors, she appears to have always wanted more. Great opening issue. I think the pacing is spot on. Not every storyline needs to be rushed, contrary to popular belief.
I've been meaning to jump into this storyline for months and I'm glad I finally opened this book. Stephanie Williams...the writing is so clutch! I love the exploration of the historical impact of hair chemicals on Black girls and women and even the emphasis on non traditional medicine in our society. Etta is a gem as a MC and I can see her growing as this series continues. The illustrations and artwork are on point as well. In fact, the cover is what drew me in when I saw it at a LCS. I'm eager to see if Etta will accept the proposal she's invited to consider, afterall...she never just wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and ancestors, she appears to have always wanted more. Great opening issue. I think the pacing is spot on. Not every storyline needs to be rushed, contrary to popular belief.
December 26, 2025
I was really drawn to the cover art (and still am), but I did feel like the illustrations inside didn’t quite match the same level of depth. That said, the storyline is intriguing and I’m definitely invested in Etta’s journey. A Black woman biochemist as the lead? Total girl power.
June 10, 2026
I like where the story is going.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews