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Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #1-6
Beneath the trees where nobody sees : Rite of Spring
The Eisner-nominated cozy-horror comic series returns in this sequel to the critically acclaimed first volume!
It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice…but this brown bear was smart…she covered her tracks…and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers.
But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.
A reckoning is coming to Woodbrook. Join visionary writer and artist Patrick Horvath as he returns to the hit series that has taken the comic world by storm!
It’s been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck’s family painstakingly sought justice…but this brown bear was smart…she covered her tracks…and in the ’80s, there simply wasn’t a way for the duck’s family to find answers.
But it’s not the ’80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven’t given up the flame of justice.
A reckoning is coming to Woodbrook. Join visionary writer and artist Patrick Horvath as he returns to the hit series that has taken the comic world by storm!
160 pages, Hardcover
First published July 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
August 7, 2026
What a dark ride!
Our favorite fuzzy serial killer is back and bloodier than ever.
This time around, she's playing a dangerous game with Monica, the sister of the duck she killed in the first volume.
Monica has been at loose ends since her brother disappeared years ago. Her life has virtually stopped, and all of her focus has been on finding out the truth of what happened to him.
When she gets an invitation from a helpful bear to come check out her town and look into an old serial killer, she packs her bags and heads out.
What's the worst that can happen, after all? She's already lost everything.
Right?
Right?!
If you're a horror fan and for some reason you're not reading these, you need to remedy that.
Highly Recommended.
I originally read this as single issues, so here are the links to the longer reviews of each.
issue #1
issue #2
issue #3
issue #4
issue #5
issue #6
Our favorite fuzzy serial killer is back and bloodier than ever.
This time around, she's playing a dangerous game with Monica, the sister of the duck she killed in the first volume.
Monica has been at loose ends since her brother disappeared years ago. Her life has virtually stopped, and all of her focus has been on finding out the truth of what happened to him.
When she gets an invitation from a helpful bear to come check out her town and look into an old serial killer, she packs her bags and heads out.
What's the worst that can happen, after all? She's already lost everything.
Right?
Right?!
If you're a horror fan and for some reason you're not reading these, you need to remedy that.
Highly Recommended.
I originally read this as single issues, so here are the links to the longer reviews of each.
issue #1
issue #2
issue #3
issue #4
issue #5
issue #6
July 25, 2026
cute woodland animal characters & twisty grisly horror is truly an incomparable combination! one might not expect these disparate elements to work together so well, but horvath balances them brilliantly. it's right up my alley, and i adore it.
this sequel revisits our serial killer bear samantha, still off the hook eight years after the events of beneath the trees where nobody sees. she's a little older, and the townsfolk are a little more jaded as modern developments threaten to touch their old-school small town.
we also learn some dark new elements of samantha's backstory. this series only gets better as it becomes more layered.
impeccable aesthetic, especially the 90s fashions and vintage computer details. there's a touch of nostalgia for the early days of the internet, which is so charming. (A/S/L as age/species/location made me CACKLE!!)
this volume also gives us more context about the distinction between the anthropomorphized animal characters and their non-anthropomorphized counterparts. apparently the latter are considerd "wild animals," and now some of them are encroaching on the city due to habitat destruction. this adds interesting texture to the lore of the universe.
something about the cozy x murder juxtaposition in this series tickles my brain in a wonderful way. i'm hoping for more future installments - and the very end does seem to tease the possibility of a new angle of samantha's story.
oh, and the cover art between issues are bloody samantha-themed reimaginings of classic children's books! such fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
this sequel revisits our serial killer bear samantha, still off the hook eight years after the events of beneath the trees where nobody sees. she's a little older, and the townsfolk are a little more jaded as modern developments threaten to touch their old-school small town.
we also learn some dark new elements of samantha's backstory. this series only gets better as it becomes more layered.
impeccable aesthetic, especially the 90s fashions and vintage computer details. there's a touch of nostalgia for the early days of the internet, which is so charming. (A/S/L as age/species/location made me CACKLE!!)
this volume also gives us more context about the distinction between the anthropomorphized animal characters and their non-anthropomorphized counterparts. apparently the latter are considerd "wild animals," and now some of them are encroaching on the city due to habitat destruction. this adds interesting texture to the lore of the universe.
something about the cozy x murder juxtaposition in this series tickles my brain in a wonderful way. i'm hoping for more future installments - and the very end does seem to tease the possibility of a new angle of samantha's story.
oh, and the cover art between issues are bloody samantha-themed reimaginings of classic children's books! such fun!
Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Read
May 22, 2026Samantha Strong is one of the most evil characters to ever grace the pages of a comic book, and, as in the previous series, the dichotomy between the cute storybook designs and the graphic violence only heightens this. If you thought what came before was sickening, wait till you get to the back half of this one. Don't love the sequel tease at the end, but that's mostly because .
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy.
4.5*
The sequel to Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (which I gave 5 stars and liked just a liiiittle bit more than Rite of Spring), this book picks up several years after the first and follows the sister of one of Samantha's victims from the first series... in fact, we only really get to Samantha about halfway through, which I thought would bother me but I think we really get just enough, and the addition of the new character was an interesting twist to the storytelling.
I'm surprised by how much Horvath fits into his story, which is like Richard Scarry's Busy Town if they had all the issues we experience here. The main setting is a small town in Vermont, quaint, friendly, idyllic, but it's also the hometown of a prolific serial killer. The first book covers the bulk of that story but we get more of Samantha's origins in this book, as we get to see her when she was younger and still living with her parents.
I don't quite understand Samantha's motivations in doing what she did (not the murders, she is a psychopath) that resulted in the entire second half of the book. I also wish we'd gotten more of her psychology and inner thoughts and a little less of the victim's sister. I do like the townspeople snippets we get though, of these decent folks just trying to survive and live their own lives. They all have their own inner turmoil, which is partially how Samantha gets away with so much. She found a perfect town to hide in... which, again, makes her motivations to do what she did unclear/weird.
But overall I really liked this book. The art, as usual, is absolutely on point and the coloring is gorgeous. I love everything about the visuals. The story-telling had some plot gaps but I wouldn't say I'm unsatisfied with what I read or the ending. I love that there's an opening for another sequel, but that this still feels like an ending if not.
I will forever recommend this series to people who are looking for a decent comic thriller because I really think this is a well-done and even if Horvath hadn't gone with the anthropomorphic animals and just made the cast humans, I still would've been engaged and into this story. But the art really does take it up a notch.
I just love these books lol
4.5*
The sequel to Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees (which I gave 5 stars and liked just a liiiittle bit more than Rite of Spring), this book picks up several years after the first and follows the sister of one of Samantha's victims from the first series... in fact, we only really get to Samantha about halfway through, which I thought would bother me but I think we really get just enough, and the addition of the new character was an interesting twist to the storytelling.
I'm surprised by how much Horvath fits into his story, which is like Richard Scarry's Busy Town if they had all the issues we experience here. The main setting is a small town in Vermont, quaint, friendly, idyllic, but it's also the hometown of a prolific serial killer. The first book covers the bulk of that story but we get more of Samantha's origins in this book, as we get to see her when she was younger and still living with her parents.
I don't quite understand Samantha's motivations in doing what she did (not the murders, she is a psychopath) that resulted in the entire second half of the book. I also wish we'd gotten more of her psychology and inner thoughts and a little less of the victim's sister. I do like the townspeople snippets we get though, of these decent folks just trying to survive and live their own lives. They all have their own inner turmoil, which is partially how Samantha gets away with so much. She found a perfect town to hide in... which, again, makes her motivations to do what she did unclear/weird.
But overall I really liked this book. The art, as usual, is absolutely on point and the coloring is gorgeous. I love everything about the visuals. The story-telling had some plot gaps but I wouldn't say I'm unsatisfied with what I read or the ending. I love that there's an opening for another sequel, but that this still feels like an ending if not.
I will forever recommend this series to people who are looking for a decent comic thriller because I really think this is a well-done and even if Horvath hadn't gone with the anthropomorphic animals and just made the cast humans, I still would've been engaged and into this story. But the art really does take it up a notch.
I just love these books lol
March 30, 2026
This graphic is Shady Hollow with the gore of Dexter. Patrick Horvath does a great job at making serial killing and murder cozy? cute? I wouldn't necessarily call this cozy, as the gore is pretty extreme but the setting and characters are whimsical.
I particularly had a great time with the overlaid artwork on to classic children's literature cover themes. Well done Patrick.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I particularly had a great time with the overlaid artwork on to classic children's literature cover themes. Well done Patrick.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2026
While I appreciate this sequel took a very different storytelling approach and didn’t rehash ideas from the first series, I didn’t prefer it.
It expanded on lore and provided additional backstory to side characters, and interweaved their plots throughout. This worked at times and there were some nice payoffs to this, but I felt it watered down the main story and split my attention far too often. I also didn’t feel the main storyline was that strong to begin with.
Without going into spoiler territory, I just want to say I really liked the Tarantino-esque final act. Caught me by surprise.
The standout aspect of this book, like the previous, was the artwork, covers, and overall book design. Loved the watercolour art style mixed with the horror tones, makes for some memorable moments.
Thanks IDW and NetGalley for this ARC!
It expanded on lore and provided additional backstory to side characters, and interweaved their plots throughout. This worked at times and there were some nice payoffs to this, but I felt it watered down the main story and split my attention far too often. I also didn’t feel the main storyline was that strong to begin with.
Without going into spoiler territory, I just want to say I really liked the Tarantino-esque final act. Caught me by surprise.
The standout aspect of this book, like the previous, was the artwork, covers, and overall book design. Loved the watercolour art style mixed with the horror tones, makes for some memorable moments.
Thanks IDW and NetGalley for this ARC!
July 3, 2026
Un peu moins happant que le premier mais toujours aussi étonnant
August 3, 2026
Whew.
The first issue was fantastic with its serial killer twist on an otherwise cute aesthetic.
This issue kicked it up a notch and got real dark.
Absolutely love this series and can’t wait to see what the next issue brings.
The first issue was fantastic with its serial killer twist on an otherwise cute aesthetic.
This issue kicked it up a notch and got real dark.
Absolutely love this series and can’t wait to see what the next issue brings.
April 14, 2026
Patrick Horvath
's
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
is an outstanding sequel that matches, maybe even tops, the original miniseries with familiar art and fresh, chilling twists.
It's been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck's family painstakingly sought justice... but this brown bear was smart... she covered her tracks... and in the '80s, there simply wasn't a way for the duck's family to find answers.
But it's not the '80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven't given up the flame of justice.
You can never really relive the feeling of reading a story for the first time. When I first picked up Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 , it was a fresh and captivating story with artwork that was the opposite of what you'd expect but worked so well in this format. While the rest of the first volume was fantastic, I never thought I'd feel that spark again from reading the debut issue. I was 100% wrong. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring brought back that magical first-read feeling in the best way.
The original series blend of Dexter -style story with Richard Scarry -esque artwork was truly original and honestly, breathtaking. It hit in such a way that made it standout from the crowd. I couldn't image how Horvath would replicate the lightning in a bottle success while crafting a fresh and gripping continuation. Yet here we are. This sequel not only matches the original series, but in many ways surpasses it. Patrick takes the story eight years forward and delivers a twist I didn't see coming from a mile away.
The time jump in Rite of Spring opens the door for many places for Horvath to take the story. Samantha must not only continue to face her dark past but also contend with the new reality of living in a time when nothing truly stays hidden, thanks to things such as the internet. Not only is there this new found fad, the internet, but Samantha gets close to one of the victims family in a way that makes the story all that more riveting.
Following the first volume, I wanted more, but not if it was going to ruin what we already had. Now, with Rite of Spring I am wanting so much more. I feel Horvath has the skill and ability to craft more stories in Woodbrook that can be just as unique and riveting as these first two books.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring delivers with its signature artwork and engrossing story, Patrick Horvath has truly outdone himself. This sequel has the same engird and suspense of the original series but takes it to a new level that I didn't see coming. Horvath has me wanting to immerse myself in the world of Woodbrook, well not so much Woodbrook, but Samantha all over again! Like with the first series, Rite of Spring is a must-read.
The collected edition of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on July 21, 2026 from IDW Publishing.
It's been eight long years since a bloodlusting brown bear drove into the city, kidnapped a kind young duck, dissected his body, and buried the pieces in the woods. The duck's family painstakingly sought justice... but this brown bear was smart... she covered her tracks... and in the '80s, there simply wasn't a way for the duck's family to find answers.
But it's not the '80s anymore. Almost a decade after cuddly brown bear Samantha Strong solidified herself as the sole serial killer in Woodbrook, the world is entering a new era. As Samantha will soon find out, there are no secrets in the age of the internet. And those who lost loved ones to her massacre haven't given up the flame of justice.
You can never really relive the feeling of reading a story for the first time. When I first picked up Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #1 , it was a fresh and captivating story with artwork that was the opposite of what you'd expect but worked so well in this format. While the rest of the first volume was fantastic, I never thought I'd feel that spark again from reading the debut issue. I was 100% wrong. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring brought back that magical first-read feeling in the best way.
The original series blend of Dexter -style story with Richard Scarry -esque artwork was truly original and honestly, breathtaking. It hit in such a way that made it standout from the crowd. I couldn't image how Horvath would replicate the lightning in a bottle success while crafting a fresh and gripping continuation. Yet here we are. This sequel not only matches the original series, but in many ways surpasses it. Patrick takes the story eight years forward and delivers a twist I didn't see coming from a mile away.
The time jump in Rite of Spring opens the door for many places for Horvath to take the story. Samantha must not only continue to face her dark past but also contend with the new reality of living in a time when nothing truly stays hidden, thanks to things such as the internet. Not only is there this new found fad, the internet, but Samantha gets close to one of the victims family in a way that makes the story all that more riveting.
Following the first volume, I wanted more, but not if it was going to ruin what we already had. Now, with Rite of Spring I am wanting so much more. I feel Horvath has the skill and ability to craft more stories in Woodbrook that can be just as unique and riveting as these first two books.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring delivers with its signature artwork and engrossing story, Patrick Horvath has truly outdone himself. This sequel has the same engird and suspense of the original series but takes it to a new level that I didn't see coming. Horvath has me wanting to immerse myself in the world of Woodbrook, well not so much Woodbrook, but Samantha all over again! Like with the first series, Rite of Spring is a must-read.
The collected edition of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on July 21, 2026 from IDW Publishing.
July 29, 2026
Eight years after the events of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, Sam Strong is still running her hardware store in Woodbrook while making trips to the big cities to sate her thirst for killing, while Nigel is blamed for her murders as well as his own. Meanwhile, one duck-woman has been relentlessly searching for her brother who went missing years ago. Thanks to the new invention called The Internet, Sam happens across one of the duck's posts. Realizing she's the sister of one her murders, Sam tricks her into coming to Woodbrook where she pretends to be helping her search, blaming the disappearance on Nigel. This game makes Sam feel a sort of closeness with the duck, while also feeding her sadistic side. Though this opens Sam up to being discovered, she won't go down without a fight that threatens the entire town.
Sam has become more sociopathic and deadly in this series. Her deadly nature is frighteningly dark and psychotic as she plays out her game. By the end the story just went balls to the wall crazy and gruesome.
Sam has become more sociopathic and deadly in this series. Her deadly nature is frighteningly dark and psychotic as she plays out her game. By the end the story just went balls to the wall crazy and gruesome.
Read
May 27, 20262026 Eisner Award finalist - Best Limited Series, Best Lettering (Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou)
Samantha Strong is one of the most vile and evil characters imaginable, a serial killer with no remorse. Yet, because the story is presented with bright, cute anthropomorphic artwork the reader starts to see her as someone to root for. Quite a feat!
The story takes place some eight years after the previous series, sometime in the 1990s when the internet was young. The sister of one of Samantha's victim's uses nascent electronic bulletin boards to find leads on what happened to her brother. What she doesn't know is that Samantha herself posted a clue in a twisted ploy to lure the sister to the tiny town of Woodbrook for nefarious purposes. Meanwhile, the citizens of Woodbrook are still recovering from the shocking events of eight years ago while facing some major infrastructure improvements that will almost certainly bring outsiders and more modern life to the town. All of these elements converge to make this an utterly fascinating book, despite the gore and Samantha's complete psychopathy.
Read as individual issues.
Samantha Strong is one of the most vile and evil characters imaginable, a serial killer with no remorse. Yet, because the story is presented with bright, cute anthropomorphic artwork the reader starts to see her as someone to root for. Quite a feat!
The story takes place some eight years after the previous series, sometime in the 1990s when the internet was young. The sister of one of Samantha's victim's uses nascent electronic bulletin boards to find leads on what happened to her brother. What she doesn't know is that Samantha herself posted a clue in a twisted ploy to lure the sister to the tiny town of Woodbrook for nefarious purposes. Meanwhile, the citizens of Woodbrook are still recovering from the shocking events of eight years ago while facing some major infrastructure improvements that will almost certainly bring outsiders and more modern life to the town. All of these elements converge to make this an utterly fascinating book, despite the gore and Samantha's complete psychopathy.
Read as individual issues.
March 27, 2026
The series that asks, "What if a serial killer lived in Busytown?" returns for Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring. Patrick Horvath returns us to Woodbrook eight years after the events of book one, though no one has forgotten what happened.
In fact, that is what fuels this story arc. In the first issue, we're introduced to Monica. She has moved to the city in which her brother used to live, all these years later still desperately searching for what may have happened to her brother. She has no interest in others, a dead end job to pay for her needs and a regular rotation through the police stations and hospitals seeking updates or any sign of her brother. She wants closure, unable to live her own life with this uncertainty. In a strong wink to the AOL discs of old, the internet is now available and Monica spends time pursuing webforums exposing the worst of humanity (wonderfully illustrated in a way to show the absorption one can experience) in cold cases and murder forums. Then one night, a suggestion is made that triggers an impulsive trip and our reintroduction to Samantha Strong and Woodbrook
Where volume 1 felt like a Dexter season 1, but animals!, retread, here in volume two Horvath expands the emotional depth. Strong is still a brutal unfeeling killer, but the rest of the town still shows their scars and the spectrum of emotional responses murder creates.
Rite of Spring gives more of Strong's backstory and can serve to ask wider questions of what does it mean to belong to a community? How much can you truly know another person?
The covers of the series also play with the genre, recreating other classic children's books with the twisted horror bent, included Harold and the Purple Crayon or Corduroy.
Recommended to readers of slasher horror, anthropomorphic stories or sequels that surpass the original.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
In fact, that is what fuels this story arc. In the first issue, we're introduced to Monica. She has moved to the city in which her brother used to live, all these years later still desperately searching for what may have happened to her brother. She has no interest in others, a dead end job to pay for her needs and a regular rotation through the police stations and hospitals seeking updates or any sign of her brother. She wants closure, unable to live her own life with this uncertainty. In a strong wink to the AOL discs of old, the internet is now available and Monica spends time pursuing webforums exposing the worst of humanity (wonderfully illustrated in a way to show the absorption one can experience) in cold cases and murder forums. Then one night, a suggestion is made that triggers an impulsive trip and our reintroduction to Samantha Strong and Woodbrook
Where volume 1 felt like a Dexter season 1, but animals!, retread, here in volume two Horvath expands the emotional depth. Strong is still a brutal unfeeling killer, but the rest of the town still shows their scars and the spectrum of emotional responses murder creates.
Rite of Spring gives more of Strong's backstory and can serve to ask wider questions of what does it mean to belong to a community? How much can you truly know another person?
The covers of the series also play with the genre, recreating other classic children's books with the twisted horror bent, included Harold and the Purple Crayon or Corduroy.
Recommended to readers of slasher horror, anthropomorphic stories or sequels that surpass the original.
I received a free digital version of this book via NetGalley thanks to the publisher.
July 3, 2026
Très content de retrouver l’univers de Beneath the Trees dans ce tome 2 (Rite of Spring). Globalement, on reste sur les mêmes bases solides qui ont fait le succès du titre.
Le vrai plus de cet album, c'est le développement de Samantha : on en apprend davantage sur elle, ce qui donne plus de profondeur au récit.
Mon seul bémol concerne l'intrigue autour de Monica. Je pense sincèrement que Samantha a fait une erreur en la faisant venir, et cela m'a un peu sorti de la logique du personnage. Quoi qu'il en soit, la conclusion en fin ouverte est très réussie et relance totalement l'intérêt.
Vivement la suite pour voir comment cette situation va évoluer !
Le vrai plus de cet album, c'est le développement de Samantha : on en apprend davantage sur elle, ce qui donne plus de profondeur au récit.
Mon seul bémol concerne l'intrigue autour de Monica. Je pense sincèrement que Samantha a fait une erreur en la faisant venir, et cela m'a un peu sorti de la logique du personnage. Quoi qu'il en soit, la conclusion en fin ouverte est très réussie et relance totalement l'intérêt.
Vivement la suite pour voir comment cette situation va évoluer !
June 7, 2026
Review of free advanced copy received from Netgalley
I adored the first Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, so I had sky high expectations for this. I have to say, it totally managed to meet them.
If you can I would read the other volume first. Sure you can read these out of order but you will get some spoilers, and you’ll gain some context reading the first prior.
I have to say I adored the premise of this. Whilst it calls back to the first volume it also feels vastly different in terms of plot. It feels fresh, and I was happy to see more from the chaotic murderous bear that is Samantha.
For anyone who hasn’t entered the universe before think Wind in the Willows meets Dexter. It’s a small town that should be cozy and yet couldn’t be further from. It’s a wild ride from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down.
I adore the art style. I have to say the watercolour look is the main draw for me the panels are beautiful and whimsical which makes the horror feel even more absurd in such a town.
I adored the first Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, so I had sky high expectations for this. I have to say, it totally managed to meet them.
If you can I would read the other volume first. Sure you can read these out of order but you will get some spoilers, and you’ll gain some context reading the first prior.
I have to say I adored the premise of this. Whilst it calls back to the first volume it also feels vastly different in terms of plot. It feels fresh, and I was happy to see more from the chaotic murderous bear that is Samantha.
For anyone who hasn’t entered the universe before think Wind in the Willows meets Dexter. It’s a small town that should be cozy and yet couldn’t be further from. It’s a wild ride from start to finish and I couldn’t put it down.
I adore the art style. I have to say the watercolour look is the main draw for me the panels are beautiful and whimsical which makes the horror feel even more absurd in such a town.
July 30, 2026
I didn’t realize there were more of these so what a pleasant surprise to see this was released recently! The art style remains fun and I like the time jump into the advent of the internet. I wish the turtle subplot was a bit more directly related to Sam’s murder spree and like they all died because of her or affected her in some way but it was sweet nonetheless. I like the twist that she murdered her parents and that she literally exploded the whole town- that was hilarious.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
5/5 stars! This sequel was so well worth the wait, and I’m biting at the bit for the next installment! So much action, gore, and suspense in packed into a short, deceivingly cutesy box. Samantha is even more menacing and conniving in this series than previously. I loved the introduction of the early internet in the story. It creates a perfect time capsule for this comic. I can’t gush about it enough! I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy.
July 22, 2026
If you put Busy Town, Zootopia/Zootropolis and Shady Hollow head first into a huge vat of horrific true crime, you get Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees. I was initially drawn in by this new story but it failed to live up to the first collection in my opinion and now I just really, really want to see the main character come to a terrible end.
July 3, 2026
Ce deuxième tome est assez différent du premier, parce que je comprends pas pourquoi Sam a pris ce risque idiot. Elle qui est si futée dans le 1er tome...
Mais on apprends ici beaucoup sur l'histoire de Samantha.
Mais on apprends ici beaucoup sur l'histoire de Samantha.
March 12, 2026
If we get another part please do a complete collection
Read
July 28, 2026These are so freakyyyyy to me I think it's their human hands :)
July 29, 2026
Kind of outrageous ending!! Not sure where it goes from here.
July 30, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ dark & gory, more backstory to sam in this one, interested to see where it will go next
July 29, 2026
This starts so good, to the point that I thought it would be better than the original run, and it is still very good, but my god it kinda ends in a very silly way.
Still this comic book had me tensed up and anxious. It is rare that I felt like my heart was getting squeezed tight like I felt it here. [insert realistic depiction of a panic attack]. But for real, it is so well paced and has some really good panel transitions. I actually gasped and yelled a couple of times, like I was watching a horror movie.
Way less gore than in the previous run, but Samantha remains a truly despicable but fascinating killer.
Still this comic book had me tensed up and anxious. It is rare that I felt like my heart was getting squeezed tight like I felt it here. [insert realistic depiction of a panic attack]. But for real, it is so well paced and has some really good panel transitions. I actually gasped and yelled a couple of times, like I was watching a horror movie.
Way less gore than in the previous run, but Samantha remains a truly despicable but fascinating killer.
Review of advance copy
Issue #1: forgot to log
Issue #2: 4 stars read 10/04/2025
Issue #3: 3 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #4: 3.5 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #5: 3.5 stars read 5/3/2025
Issue #6: 4.5 stars read 5/3/2026
Issue #2: 4 stars read 10/04/2025
Issue #3: 3 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #4: 3.5 stars read 1/11/2025
Issue #5: 3.5 stars read 5/3/2025
Issue #6: 4.5 stars read 5/3/2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advance copy of the this graphic novel that continues the story of Samantha Strong, a bear with a taste for bad things, the people who share her small town, and the shadow that violence leaves on survivors, victims, and even the instigator of horrific acts.
I have been reading comics for as long as I have been reading. Something my parents encouraged, mainly as I would sit for hours quietly while looking at the pretty pictures. One of my favorite books as a child was Richard Scarry and his Busy Town books, featuring animals, walking, talking working, even loving and being parents in a very big town. I even named our cat after Officer Murphy, even though he was a dog. It made sense at the time. Patrick Horvath also must have enjoyed these stories as his comic is a loving tribute to these books, and the world that I loved so much. Though I don't remember the serial killers. Nor the interesting use of paint cans. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring written and illustrated by Patrick Horvath with lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continues the story of Samantha Stong, a business owner, a mentor, and a serial killer, along with the troubled survivors of a town trying to move on from murder, but not knowing the murderer happily walks among them.
There is a small town in Vermont with good people, just trying to get by. Years earlier a serial killer had terrorized the town. Samantha Strong was a survivor, and tries to help those still affected by the crimes. Crimes that Samantha actually committed. The world however is getting smaller. The Internet is growing, and more people are able ask questions, to look for answers, and find missing family members. One of these is duck looking for answers about the disappearance of her brother years earlier. One day she receives a message saying that the answers might lie in a small town in Vermont. There she meets a helpful bear, Samantha, who helps her and guides her in her search. A search that will tear the town apart.
Horvath, in baseball terms aims for the fences, and leaves a whole lot of broken car windows outside the stadium. Horvath has a skill in creating his story, one that sounds cute and funny, and makes a work that stays with the reader, both for the plotting, the horrific scenes presented, and more importantly the characters. Horvath has set up a very strong cast of characters, many still dealing with loss, violence, confusion, and fear, and made one interested in not only what happens to them, but where they are going to wind up. The plot is good, the story moves quickly with a lot of information presented, yet never bogging down the narrative. The art is excellent. Sort of a mix of Jeff Smith's Bone, with Mark Millar's Nemesis, beautiful stories with ugly characters.
I can't say enough about this series, except I want more, and if one has not read it, give it an issue. It might not be for everyone, but one will know pretty quickly. As I stated Horvath has become a creator I look out for, and I eagerly await what he has planned next.
I have been reading comics for as long as I have been reading. Something my parents encouraged, mainly as I would sit for hours quietly while looking at the pretty pictures. One of my favorite books as a child was Richard Scarry and his Busy Town books, featuring animals, walking, talking working, even loving and being parents in a very big town. I even named our cat after Officer Murphy, even though he was a dog. It made sense at the time. Patrick Horvath also must have enjoyed these stories as his comic is a loving tribute to these books, and the world that I loved so much. Though I don't remember the serial killers. Nor the interesting use of paint cans. Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring written and illustrated by Patrick Horvath with lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou continues the story of Samantha Stong, a business owner, a mentor, and a serial killer, along with the troubled survivors of a town trying to move on from murder, but not knowing the murderer happily walks among them.
There is a small town in Vermont with good people, just trying to get by. Years earlier a serial killer had terrorized the town. Samantha Strong was a survivor, and tries to help those still affected by the crimes. Crimes that Samantha actually committed. The world however is getting smaller. The Internet is growing, and more people are able ask questions, to look for answers, and find missing family members. One of these is duck looking for answers about the disappearance of her brother years earlier. One day she receives a message saying that the answers might lie in a small town in Vermont. There she meets a helpful bear, Samantha, who helps her and guides her in her search. A search that will tear the town apart.
Horvath, in baseball terms aims for the fences, and leaves a whole lot of broken car windows outside the stadium. Horvath has a skill in creating his story, one that sounds cute and funny, and makes a work that stays with the reader, both for the plotting, the horrific scenes presented, and more importantly the characters. Horvath has set up a very strong cast of characters, many still dealing with loss, violence, confusion, and fear, and made one interested in not only what happens to them, but where they are going to wind up. The plot is good, the story moves quickly with a lot of information presented, yet never bogging down the narrative. The art is excellent. Sort of a mix of Jeff Smith's Bone, with Mark Millar's Nemesis, beautiful stories with ugly characters.
I can't say enough about this series, except I want more, and if one has not read it, give it an issue. It might not be for everyone, but one will know pretty quickly. As I stated Horvath has become a creator I look out for, and I eagerly await what he has planned next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
*Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring* was everything I hoped for in a sequel and more. Having first discovered this story on Webtoon, it has been incredible to watch Patrick Horvath's wonderfully twisted world continue to grow. The contrast between the adorable animal characters and the dark, disturbing horror at the heart of the story remains as effective as ever, creating a reading experience that is equal parts charming and deeply unsettling.
Eight years after the events of the first volume, Samantha Strong is still one of the most fascinating serial killers I've encountered in comics. What makes this sequel so compelling is seeing how the world around her has changed. The first story thrived on secrets hidden in a small town where information traveled slowly, but now the internet age threatens everything Samantha has carefully built. The idea that technology and online communities could succeed where traditional investigations failed adds a fresh layer of tension and makes the stakes feel higher than ever.
Patrick Horvath once again excels at balancing cozy small-town aesthetics with genuine horror. The artwork remains absolutely fantastic, with bright, colorful illustrations that make the darker moments hit even harder. There is something uniquely unsettling about watching these cute woodland creatures navigate such horrific events, and the visual contrast never loses its impact.
I particularly enjoyed the emotional depth added through the duck family's continued search for answers. Their refusal to give up on finding justice gives the story a strong emotional core and makes the coming confrontation feel inevitable. The narrative explores themes of grief, accountability, and the idea that the truth can only stay buried for so long. Watching the past slowly catch up with Samantha created a constant sense of suspense that kept me turning pages.
The pacing is excellent, blending mystery, horror, and character development in a way that never feels rushed. Every revelation feels earned, and the growing sense of dread builds beautifully throughout the volume. While I still slightly prefer the shock and originality of the first installment, this sequel expands the world in meaningful ways and deepens the story rather than simply repeating what worked before.
Overall, *Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring* is a fantastic follow-up that proves this series is far more than its clever premise. It's smart, creepy, emotional, and wonderfully unique. Fans of the first volume will find plenty to love here, and anyone who enjoys horror that blends darkness with unexpected warmth should absolutely give this series a try. I cannot wait to see where Patrick Horvath takes Samantha's story next.
*Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring* was everything I hoped for in a sequel and more. Having first discovered this story on Webtoon, it has been incredible to watch Patrick Horvath's wonderfully twisted world continue to grow. The contrast between the adorable animal characters and the dark, disturbing horror at the heart of the story remains as effective as ever, creating a reading experience that is equal parts charming and deeply unsettling.
Eight years after the events of the first volume, Samantha Strong is still one of the most fascinating serial killers I've encountered in comics. What makes this sequel so compelling is seeing how the world around her has changed. The first story thrived on secrets hidden in a small town where information traveled slowly, but now the internet age threatens everything Samantha has carefully built. The idea that technology and online communities could succeed where traditional investigations failed adds a fresh layer of tension and makes the stakes feel higher than ever.
Patrick Horvath once again excels at balancing cozy small-town aesthetics with genuine horror. The artwork remains absolutely fantastic, with bright, colorful illustrations that make the darker moments hit even harder. There is something uniquely unsettling about watching these cute woodland creatures navigate such horrific events, and the visual contrast never loses its impact.
I particularly enjoyed the emotional depth added through the duck family's continued search for answers. Their refusal to give up on finding justice gives the story a strong emotional core and makes the coming confrontation feel inevitable. The narrative explores themes of grief, accountability, and the idea that the truth can only stay buried for so long. Watching the past slowly catch up with Samantha created a constant sense of suspense that kept me turning pages.
The pacing is excellent, blending mystery, horror, and character development in a way that never feels rushed. Every revelation feels earned, and the growing sense of dread builds beautifully throughout the volume. While I still slightly prefer the shock and originality of the first installment, this sequel expands the world in meaningful ways and deepens the story rather than simply repeating what worked before.
Overall, *Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring* is a fantastic follow-up that proves this series is far more than its clever premise. It's smart, creepy, emotional, and wonderfully unique. Fans of the first volume will find plenty to love here, and anyone who enjoys horror that blends darkness with unexpected warmth should absolutely give this series a try. I cannot wait to see where Patrick Horvath takes Samantha's story next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Times and landscapes are changing, progress is unstoppable, and old secrets won't stay buried. Patrick Horvath returns with another instalment of his entertaining, pastel-flavoured, gruesome, yet adorable graphic novel. Compared to its predecessor, Rite of Spring retains its strengths and weaknesses both, with its strengths getting much stronger and its weaknesses growing even weaker.
The best part of this graphic novel is undoubtedly its art - I felt like Horvath upgraded his already impressive skillset even further. The pacing and blocking of each scene are excellent, with some panels being exceptionally creative and downright inspired. The hues and the artwork itself are also perfect, equally strong during emotional moments of introspection and moments of massacre.
The aspects I didn't like were the same as with the original: the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, Sam is not a particularly interesting or engaging character, and the townsfolk cast was reduced even further, remaining oversimplified and purely functional. However, I feel like this instalment will appeal to a broader audience because violence and explicit gore were kept to a minimum, with the exception of a few key scenes.
What really saved Rite of Spring was the introduction of Monica, a new deuteragonist and the sister of one of Sam’s random victims, who is desperately seeking closure and answers about her brother’s fate. She brings much-needed empathy, spark, and emotional complexity to the table, and her back-and-forth juxtaposition with Sam helps sustain tension throughout the narrative.
Grief, closure, and moving on are the core themes of this book. Sam's actions have long-lasting consequences, and her attempts at playing God with her little pet town crash and burn when met with much larger, much more dangerous forces like capitalism, real estate development, and the onset of the digital age. There is something about looking back at the good old days of dial-up Internet and early forums rendered through Patrick Horvath's illustrations that left a pang in my heart. I loved how that seismic cultural and economic shift was integrated into the story. We all have to move forward; we cannot stay, and we can never go back.
Overall, a very successful and engaging sequel - it's a perfect Summerween read, and a lovely treat. You do have to read these graphic novels in order, in my opinion, otherwise a lot of things won't make much sense or leave any emotional impact. Bring it on with more sequels, Mr. Horvath!
Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The best part of this graphic novel is undoubtedly its art - I felt like Horvath upgraded his already impressive skillset even further. The pacing and blocking of each scene are excellent, with some panels being exceptionally creative and downright inspired. The hues and the artwork itself are also perfect, equally strong during emotional moments of introspection and moments of massacre.
The aspects I didn't like were the same as with the original: the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, Sam is not a particularly interesting or engaging character, and the townsfolk cast was reduced even further, remaining oversimplified and purely functional. However, I feel like this instalment will appeal to a broader audience because violence and explicit gore were kept to a minimum, with the exception of a few key scenes.
What really saved Rite of Spring was the introduction of Monica, a new deuteragonist and the sister of one of Sam’s random victims, who is desperately seeking closure and answers about her brother’s fate. She brings much-needed empathy, spark, and emotional complexity to the table, and her back-and-forth juxtaposition with Sam helps sustain tension throughout the narrative.
Grief, closure, and moving on are the core themes of this book. Sam's actions have long-lasting consequences, and her attempts at playing God with her little pet town crash and burn when met with much larger, much more dangerous forces like capitalism, real estate development, and the onset of the digital age. There is something about looking back at the good old days of dial-up Internet and early forums rendered through Patrick Horvath's illustrations that left a pang in my heart. I loved how that seismic cultural and economic shift was integrated into the story. We all have to move forward; we cannot stay, and we can never go back.
Overall, a very successful and engaging sequel - it's a perfect Summerween read, and a lovely treat. You do have to read these graphic novels in order, in my opinion, otherwise a lot of things won't make much sense or leave any emotional impact. Bring it on with more sequels, Mr. Horvath!
Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2026
This is the Shady Hollow series if it was written by Thomas Harris. So, right up my alley for weird and Hannibal level gore. What I find odd about this second arc is that given how phenomenal the first volume was I was expecting a long run for this series and instead the two volumes appear to be nothing but bookends and this one lost the plot. Putting aside the complete mindfuck that this is supposedly set in the United States and when Sam said she had "traveled the world" she actually meant Europe, which I so thought would be an arc on its own not a throwaway line at dinner with her parents, by jumping forward in time it lost it's nostalgic vibe. Yes, you can still be nostalgic for the nineties, obviously, but even though the previous arc was set in the eighties it had a timelessness. This arc comes out of the thoughts Sam has with regards to how all the nameless victims she kills all have families coupled with the advancement in true crime, from DNA and internet message boards. So, Sam isn't our star, but Monica. A duck. Which brings in too much Howard the Duck PTSD for me to enjoy. Sam admires Monica, because she has an obsession on the same level of Sam's, giving off some strong protege vibes. Instead she exposes Sam and Sam enacts her doomsday protocol, which is, well, she destroys the whole town with incendiary devices she planted after she was almost caught previously. And then she rides off into the sunset, all of her crimes eventually exposed, and the internet making her a star. So, that's the end of that? Without Sam as the true focus the overall feeling I had while reading this was boredom, which is a feeling you should never have when there's a hunt for a serial killer. Throw in the unnecessary and pointless story about the nursing home and I barely made it through this book. The horror pastiches were cute, especially the nod to Norman Bates dumping Marion's car in the swamp, but the movie posters and the children's book covers just felt too obvious. But the nail in the coffin, much like the nail that Sam used to kill Moncia's brother, is that the digital galley provided by NetGalley was such poor a quality with an obtrusive watermark that I was beyond annoyed. Hovath’s artwork is full of details and clues and to not be able to reveal in it was frustrating and disappointing. In fact I can’t be sure how much of my enjoyment was tainted by the near illegibility. I understand the need to protect the artwork, but you still have to give the reviewers artwork that can be easily looked at. And this was not that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
Book Review: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring
Nothing says cozy small town like a polite bear helping you investigate your missing brother while also being the reason he’s missing in the first place. Woodbrook is still serving storybook charm, complete with soft-looking woodland animals and a general sense that nothing bad could possibly happen here. Unfortunately, that illusion mostly exists to make everything worse. Samantha Strong remains deeply committed to being both the most helpful neighbor and the most efficient serial killer, which is honestly impressive from a time management standpoint.
This time around, the story leans into a quieter but sharper tension. Monica, a duck who has spent years looking for her brother, shows up with grief, determination, and just enough trust to make every interaction painful to watch. Samantha inserting herself into Monica’s search is exactly as uncomfortable as it sounds. It turns into a slow, deliberate game where the reader is always aware of the truth, which somehow makes it worse. There is no big chaotic unraveling here, just a steady tightening as Samantha nudges things exactly where she wants them.
What really works is the contrast. The art still looks soft and almost nostalgic, like it belongs in a completely different genre, which makes every violent or manipulative moment land harder. There are also some undercurrents of bias in how different animals are treated in the town, which adds another layer to who gets suspected and who gets overlooked. It is subtle, but it reinforces the idea that Woodbrook’s biggest problem is not that it hides monsters, it is that it quietly decides who gets to be seen as one.
If there is a drawback, it is that the pacing can feel a little too controlled at times. The story is so committed to its slow burn that it occasionally feels like it is holding back rather than building momentum. But when it hits, it hits in a way that feels deliberate and earned. Overall, it is unsettling in a very composed way, like being politely guided toward something terrible and realizing too late that you were never supposed to leave. I would land this at about 4 stars, because apparently I enjoy being quietly manipulated by a fictional bear.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Nothing says cozy small town like a polite bear helping you investigate your missing brother while also being the reason he’s missing in the first place. Woodbrook is still serving storybook charm, complete with soft-looking woodland animals and a general sense that nothing bad could possibly happen here. Unfortunately, that illusion mostly exists to make everything worse. Samantha Strong remains deeply committed to being both the most helpful neighbor and the most efficient serial killer, which is honestly impressive from a time management standpoint.
This time around, the story leans into a quieter but sharper tension. Monica, a duck who has spent years looking for her brother, shows up with grief, determination, and just enough trust to make every interaction painful to watch. Samantha inserting herself into Monica’s search is exactly as uncomfortable as it sounds. It turns into a slow, deliberate game where the reader is always aware of the truth, which somehow makes it worse. There is no big chaotic unraveling here, just a steady tightening as Samantha nudges things exactly where she wants them.
What really works is the contrast. The art still looks soft and almost nostalgic, like it belongs in a completely different genre, which makes every violent or manipulative moment land harder. There are also some undercurrents of bias in how different animals are treated in the town, which adds another layer to who gets suspected and who gets overlooked. It is subtle, but it reinforces the idea that Woodbrook’s biggest problem is not that it hides monsters, it is that it quietly decides who gets to be seen as one.
If there is a drawback, it is that the pacing can feel a little too controlled at times. The story is so committed to its slow burn that it occasionally feels like it is holding back rather than building momentum. But when it hits, it hits in a way that feels deliberate and earned. Overall, it is unsettling in a very composed way, like being politely guided toward something terrible and realizing too late that you were never supposed to leave. I would land this at about 4 stars, because apparently I enjoy being quietly manipulated by a fictional bear.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2026
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring is the second volume in Patrick Horvath's bizarre and brilliant graphic horror series, and somehow it's every bit as good as the first. Eight years have passed since the events of the original book, and Samantha, the serial-killer bear who runs Woodbrook's local hardware store, has successfully escaped suspicion for her crimes. Unfortunately for her, the year is now 1994, free internet trial disks are arriving in everyone's mailbox, and the age of armchair sleuthing is about to begin. When someone becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about one of Samantha's victims, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel.
One of the things I continue to love most about this series is the strange world Horvath has created. The residents of Woodbrook are all anthropomorphic animals (a dog police force, a pigeon mailman), but ordinary animals exist too. In the first volume, Samantha's acceptance of her own violent nature comes after witnessing a real bear fight in the wild, and the series has always seemed interested in asking what really separates "civilized" beings from animals. Are intelligence and morality actually connected, or are humans simply better at rationalizing their cruelty?
I also really enjoyed the way this volume incorporates the early internet. In 1994, Woodbrook is suddenly connected to the wider world, bringing with it both friendship and danger. Reading this in 2026, it's hard not to see parallels with our relationship to contemporary technology (AI?) and the ways we choose to engage with it.
This series feels like the answer to the question, "What if Arthur the Aardvark grew up to be a psychopath?" It's darkly funny, surprisingly thoughtful, and much gorier than its cute artwork would suggest. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but a must-read for graphic horror fans looking for something genuinely different.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the things I continue to love most about this series is the strange world Horvath has created. The residents of Woodbrook are all anthropomorphic animals (a dog police force, a pigeon mailman), but ordinary animals exist too. In the first volume, Samantha's acceptance of her own violent nature comes after witnessing a real bear fight in the wild, and the series has always seemed interested in asking what really separates "civilized" beings from animals. Are intelligence and morality actually connected, or are humans simply better at rationalizing their cruelty?
I also really enjoyed the way this volume incorporates the early internet. In 1994, Woodbrook is suddenly connected to the wider world, bringing with it both friendship and danger. Reading this in 2026, it's hard not to see parallels with our relationship to contemporary technology (AI?) and the ways we choose to engage with it.
This series feels like the answer to the question, "What if Arthur the Aardvark grew up to be a psychopath?" It's darkly funny, surprisingly thoughtful, and much gorier than its cute artwork would suggest. Definitely not for the faint of heart, but a must-read for graphic horror fans looking for something genuinely different.
Disclosure: I received an e-ARC copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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