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The Cult of Dr. Black
The long-awaited follow up to The Resurrectionist, this gorgeously illustrated volume continues the story of Dr. Spencer Black. Genius. Healer. Madman. Destroyer.
Once a gifted surgeon believed he could cure all illness with quick strokes of his knife; that he could create perfection in the human body. Spencer Black’s fascination with mythical creatures led him to believe they had once lived and walked upon the earth; he became determined to re-create them.
Triumphant for a time, Dr. Black traveled the world, opening people’s eyes to wonder and horror, until tragedy struck. He lost nearly everything, including his son, Alphonse. But Dr. Black’s desire to usher in a new world remained unquenched. He married machinery and medicine in a quest to form new beings who would lead humanity into a golden age of immortality and perfection.
Word spread of Dr. Spencer Black’s philosophy, growing into the Noumenon, a community where all were welcome, regardless of faith, ethnicity, creed, or state of health. Acolytes flocked there from across the United States, caught up in Dr. Black’s vision of the future.
Presented here in deeply interwoven words and illustrations, The Cult of Dr. Black is told through meticulously rendered anatomical drawings, melancholic images from Alphonse’s notebooks, newspaper clippings, and even the guiding texts of the Noumenon.
Herein lies an entire world, created by E. B. Hudspeth for the reader’s enjoyment …
Once a gifted surgeon believed he could cure all illness with quick strokes of his knife; that he could create perfection in the human body. Spencer Black’s fascination with mythical creatures led him to believe they had once lived and walked upon the earth; he became determined to re-create them.
Triumphant for a time, Dr. Black traveled the world, opening people’s eyes to wonder and horror, until tragedy struck. He lost nearly everything, including his son, Alphonse. But Dr. Black’s desire to usher in a new world remained unquenched. He married machinery and medicine in a quest to form new beings who would lead humanity into a golden age of immortality and perfection.
Word spread of Dr. Spencer Black’s philosophy, growing into the Noumenon, a community where all were welcome, regardless of faith, ethnicity, creed, or state of health. Acolytes flocked there from across the United States, caught up in Dr. Black’s vision of the future.
Presented here in deeply interwoven words and illustrations, The Cult of Dr. Black is told through meticulously rendered anatomical drawings, melancholic images from Alphonse’s notebooks, newspaper clippings, and even the guiding texts of the Noumenon.
Herein lies an entire world, created by E. B. Hudspeth for the reader’s enjoyment …
300 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you know me, you know that I'm a huge fan and collector of ergodic, book-in-a-book, fake biography types of stories so when I saw that E.B. Hudspeth was putting out a sequel to "The Resurrectionist," I knew I had to grab it.
If you're not familiar, these books are about the fictional Dr. Spencer Black, a mad-scientist type who is hell-bent on turning human beings into mythical creatures through surgery - essentially by grafting other body parts and parts of animals onto the unfortunate souls who happen to find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall into his grasp.
The story is told in a similar way to the first book, but this one provides more details about Black's experiments and the "creatures" he aspired to create through more gorgeous illustrations, newspaper clippings, short stories "inspired" by Black, and more. This one also goes into more detail about the half-human-half-machine experiments he conducted.
You'll hear from his son, Alphonse, in addition to some other interesting tidbits about the world surrounding Black in the 1780's and beyond, like some details about his wife (prisoner and patient), the Noumenon philosophy, and more gruesome details and accounts from scholars and those close to him.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and while I received advanced digital copy of this book (thanks, Netgalley & Blackstone Publishing) I'll probably end up buying a physical copy to sit on my bookshelf next to the first book. The story here really elaborates more on the gruesome experiments of Dr. Black and the artwork is once again beautiful and varied. I also really like the addition of short stories and comics written by some fake authors who were inspired by Dr. Black.
If you're not familiar, these books are about the fictional Dr. Spencer Black, a mad-scientist type who is hell-bent on turning human beings into mythical creatures through surgery - essentially by grafting other body parts and parts of animals onto the unfortunate souls who happen to find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time and fall into his grasp.
The story is told in a similar way to the first book, but this one provides more details about Black's experiments and the "creatures" he aspired to create through more gorgeous illustrations, newspaper clippings, short stories "inspired" by Black, and more. This one also goes into more detail about the half-human-half-machine experiments he conducted.
You'll hear from his son, Alphonse, in addition to some other interesting tidbits about the world surrounding Black in the 1780's and beyond, like some details about his wife (prisoner and patient), the Noumenon philosophy, and more gruesome details and accounts from scholars and those close to him.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and while I received advanced digital copy of this book (thanks, Netgalley & Blackstone Publishing) I'll probably end up buying a physical copy to sit on my bookshelf next to the first book. The story here really elaborates more on the gruesome experiments of Dr. Black and the artwork is once again beautiful and varied. I also really like the addition of short stories and comics written by some fake authors who were inspired by Dr. Black.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cult of Dr. Black by E. B. Hudspeth is the sequel to The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer Black, and continues the sordid tale of a Doctor Moreau-esque madman who will stop at nothing to prove his theory that mythological creatures used to roam this Earth, and that human beings are their decedents. A blend of sci-fi and speculative evolution, this is an engaging and beautiful faux-biography.
This book focuses a bit more on Alphonse, Dr. Black’s son and reluctant protege. Just as grotesque and grizzly as the first book, The Cult of Dr. Black picks up where The Resurrectionist left off, following the Blacks through the ensuing decades as the infamous doctor’s plans for humanity shift more towards the mechanical as opposed to organic. As he grows in power and influence, a sort of cult coalesces around his bloody experiments, and it seems that no one can put an end to these horrors.
It’s been a while since I read the first book, but Hudspeth does a good job of catching you up on any lore you may have forgotten. This book feels a bit more story-driven than the last, but there are still plenty of gorgeous anatomical drawings, comics, and ephemera to illustrate and set the scene. Also included are excerpts from in-universe texts, as well as short stories which may or may not be in-universe fiction. While the story is heavy-handed and at times silly, it also deals with eugenics and focuses primarily on disabled people being tortured and experimented on, so as always, tread with caution.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book focuses a bit more on Alphonse, Dr. Black’s son and reluctant protege. Just as grotesque and grizzly as the first book, The Cult of Dr. Black picks up where The Resurrectionist left off, following the Blacks through the ensuing decades as the infamous doctor’s plans for humanity shift more towards the mechanical as opposed to organic. As he grows in power and influence, a sort of cult coalesces around his bloody experiments, and it seems that no one can put an end to these horrors.
It’s been a while since I read the first book, but Hudspeth does a good job of catching you up on any lore you may have forgotten. This book feels a bit more story-driven than the last, but there are still plenty of gorgeous anatomical drawings, comics, and ephemera to illustrate and set the scene. Also included are excerpts from in-universe texts, as well as short stories which may or may not be in-universe fiction. While the story is heavy-handed and at times silly, it also deals with eugenics and focuses primarily on disabled people being tortured and experimented on, so as always, tread with caution.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 1, 2026
3.25⭐️
A disturbing continuation of the life of the unhinged surgeon, Dr. Spencer Black, and his attempts to create mythological creatures.
Like the first book, this one is written in a nonfiction style, recounting the life of Dr. Black and the cult that sought to keep his vision alive. The straightforward writing made it feel like a real-life account, but I struggled with some of the drier sections. I also felt that the short stories at the end took away from the main narrative. Since the book already included diary entries, illustrations, experiment logs, and witness accounts, adding the short stories made it feel a bit overcrowded.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and brought the mythological creatures to life. They also made the story feel even more immersive.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read that's perfect for readers who enjoy fictional biographies with a gruesome twist.
A disturbing continuation of the life of the unhinged surgeon, Dr. Spencer Black, and his attempts to create mythological creatures.
Like the first book, this one is written in a nonfiction style, recounting the life of Dr. Black and the cult that sought to keep his vision alive. The straightforward writing made it feel like a real-life account, but I struggled with some of the drier sections. I also felt that the short stories at the end took away from the main narrative. Since the book already included diary entries, illustrations, experiment logs, and witness accounts, adding the short stories made it feel a bit overcrowded.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and brought the mythological creatures to life. They also made the story feel even more immersive.
Overall, this was a fun, quick read that's perfect for readers who enjoy fictional biographies with a gruesome twist.
October 22, 2026
This is such a cool book. The illustrations are beautiful and it's a very fun read. Perfect for your own bookshelf, as a gift, or to put on display if that's your thing. I definitely recommend it.
October 14, 2026
I could have read an 800 page novel about this world! EVERYTHING about this is so cool, and I really hope that E.B Hudspeth comes out with more books.
October 7, 2026
I am new to EB Hudspeth, but I had to catch up on The Resurrectionist to check this out. Dr. Black is a great mad scientist character, and the weird science was totally up my alley. This is similar to the first book but gives some more detail. Definitely dark and gross - check triggers and enjoy if you like this sort of thing :)
September 8, 2026
E.B. Hudspeth's The Cult of Dr. Black is a wonderfully eerie blend of horror, mystery, and dark imagination. Richly illustrated and presented in a unique format, the book draws readers into a disturbing world filled with unsettling discoveries, hidden secrets, and creeping dread.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its presentation. The detailed illustrations, documents, and immersive storytelling create the feeling of uncovering a forbidden archive rather than simply reading a novel. Hudspeth's attention to detail adds authenticity and helps build a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after each chapter.
The story excels at creating mystery and suspense. As layers of the narrative are revealed, readers are encouraged to piece together clues and draw their own conclusions about the disturbing events surrounding Dr. Black and his followers. The combination of visual storytelling and traditional narrative makes for a memorable reading experience.
At times, the unconventional structure can make the plot feel less straightforward, and some readers may wish for more character development or clearer answers. However, these elements also contribute to the book's mysterious charm and sense of unease.
Fans of gothic horror, dark historical fiction, and illustrated storytelling will find much to appreciate in The Cult of Dr. Black. It stands apart from traditional horror novels by offering an immersive experience that rewards careful attention and curiosity.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its presentation. The detailed illustrations, documents, and immersive storytelling create the feeling of uncovering a forbidden archive rather than simply reading a novel. Hudspeth's attention to detail adds authenticity and helps build a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after each chapter.
The story excels at creating mystery and suspense. As layers of the narrative are revealed, readers are encouraged to piece together clues and draw their own conclusions about the disturbing events surrounding Dr. Black and his followers. The combination of visual storytelling and traditional narrative makes for a memorable reading experience.
At times, the unconventional structure can make the plot feel less straightforward, and some readers may wish for more character development or clearer answers. However, these elements also contribute to the book's mysterious charm and sense of unease.
Fans of gothic horror, dark historical fiction, and illustrated storytelling will find much to appreciate in The Cult of Dr. Black. It stands apart from traditional horror novels by offering an immersive experience that rewards careful attention and curiosity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Cult of Dr. Black is a disturbing and fascinating blend of horror, pseudo-science, and mythology. The book follows Dr. Spencer Black, a miracle-working physician whose obsession with human evolution leads him to perform grotesque experimental surgeries on patients both willing and unsuspecting, to recreate mythological creatures from human subjects. The book delves more into his deranged philosophy and Noumenon cult, as well as the efforts of those who are against Dr. Black's experimental procedures.
The story is pieced together through newspaper clippings, recordings from Dr. Black's son, the doctor's journals, and additional short stories and comics influenced by his work. The storytelling from various viewpoints all felt very natural, adding to the mythical status of Dr. Black's experiments. The illustrations were also impressive, consisting of highly detailed anatomical drawings showing multiple layers of the altered bodies, complete with handwritten notes, and labels for bones and other synthetic body parts. All-in-all, a delightfully creepy read, thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for sending me the ARC to review.
The story is pieced together through newspaper clippings, recordings from Dr. Black's son, the doctor's journals, and additional short stories and comics influenced by his work. The storytelling from various viewpoints all felt very natural, adding to the mythical status of Dr. Black's experiments. The illustrations were also impressive, consisting of highly detailed anatomical drawings showing multiple layers of the altered bodies, complete with handwritten notes, and labels for bones and other synthetic body parts. All-in-all, a delightfully creepy read, thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for sending me the ARC to review.
October 25, 2026
✦ Book Review: The Cult of Dr. Black by E. B. Hudspeth
✧ Thank you for the free book, @BlackstonePublishing.
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Dr. Spencer Black’s obsession with anatomy, evolution, and the possibility of creating mythical creatures leads him into increasingly disturbing territory. As his experiments push beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine, his work attracts followers and develops into something far more sinister. Told through illustrations, documents, and historical accounts, the book explores the horrifying consequences of scientific ambition without restraint.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
I really enjoyed the medical horror in this one. The grotesque experiments, disturbing anatomical details, and twisted scientific ideas made for some genuinely creepy reading. Hudspeth has a talent for making the impossible feel just believable enough to be unsettling, and the illustrations add considerably to that effect.
My only real complaint is the presentation. While I appreciate the creativity behind the documentary-style approach, I personally would have preferred a more traditional narrative that allowed me to spend more time immersed in the actual story. The material was fascinating enough that I wanted more of it told that way. Still, this was an imaginative, wonderfully disturbing book that delivered some excellent medical horror. A strong 4.5 stars.
✧ Thank you for the free book, @BlackstonePublishing.
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Dr. Spencer Black’s obsession with anatomy, evolution, and the possibility of creating mythical creatures leads him into increasingly disturbing territory. As his experiments push beyond the boundaries of conventional medicine, his work attracts followers and develops into something far more sinister. Told through illustrations, documents, and historical accounts, the book explores the horrifying consequences of scientific ambition without restraint.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
I really enjoyed the medical horror in this one. The grotesque experiments, disturbing anatomical details, and twisted scientific ideas made for some genuinely creepy reading. Hudspeth has a talent for making the impossible feel just believable enough to be unsettling, and the illustrations add considerably to that effect.
My only real complaint is the presentation. While I appreciate the creativity behind the documentary-style approach, I personally would have preferred a more traditional narrative that allowed me to spend more time immersed in the actual story. The material was fascinating enough that I wanted more of it told that way. Still, this was an imaginative, wonderfully disturbing book that delivered some excellent medical horror. A strong 4.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews