Skin Deep

by Flo Woolley

A queer horror romance comic set amongst the dim lights and graceful bodies of a nocturnal dance house.

In a world where appearance and performance are paramount, shy Mareike blends into the decor. Yet when the lead dancer Soňa takes an interest in her, Mareike discovers the intoxication of the spotlight… and the sacrifices needed to remain in it.

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, Queer, LGBT, Graphic Novels Comics, Lesbian

32 pages, ebook

First published June 26, 2024

Reviews

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pressure to perform and achieve perfection builds in uneasy tension towards terror in Flo Wooley’s Skin Deep. This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel is brief but drenched in dread, body horror and eerie atmosphere as it recounts the past few weeks in a dance house leading up to the disappearance of the lead dancer. Jealousy and subtle queer desire burns through these pages that that crackle and pop with Wooley’s artwork primarily colored in blue and green for a creepy and sinister little read.

I really love these short comics coming out from Silver Sprocket and Skin Deep is another little gem combining surreal sci-fi vibes with horror and queer characters. This one builds pretty quickly but is just soaked in dread the whole way as the first quick flash of memory foreshadows a gruesome conclusion to come. I loved the eerie nighttime dance hall and the sinister weight of competition that fuels this tiny tale.

Most of all, I loved Flo Wooley’s artwork and I hope we get a full length graphic novel from them soon. Quick but satisfying.

3.5/5

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

a dreamy little graphic novel. i love the glittering art and the glamourous gothic nighttime vibes, but it felt much too short for me to sink my teeth into! it's eerie and beautiful, but there's very little story here. i can only hope woolley will release longer form work in the future.

[bri]

a queer horror comic for fans of E.M. Carroll!! I wish this was so much longer but I loved the vibes and the style and will absolutely be checking out more of this author’s work!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't bought an actual comic book in a long time -- and, indeed, I got this one from the library also -- so I was shocked to see that this 32-page pamphlet cost $10 at retail. Yikes.

It's a fairly thin story, too, but effective. Mareike is a mid dancer obsessed with the most popular dancer at the venue where they both perform. As the two become closer, Mareike discovers the secret of Soña's success and has a choice to make regarding fame or love.

Eerie and well drawn.

[hope h. · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a beautifully eerie little comic! my only disappointment was that it was so short because holy shit i want to live in this art style forever. beautifully done fluid linework and a well chosen muted palette that combine to give the story this feeling of like...simultaneous creeping dread and frenetic energy. just really cool and so well done for such a short piece! also it gave me serious suspiria vibes which is always a plus, 10/10.

[Larakaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous. Unsettling.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a comic reader, but this did catch my eye at Beastly Books in Santa Fe, NM on a recent visit and decided to give it a try after remembering that I needed a sapphic comic for a year long reading challenge.

It's a gothic horror set in a dance hall, tension created by the jealousies and ambitions of the dancers towards each other, as well as sexual desire. It's also very short, with really beautiful graphic art that is very Art Deco, but also a palette with much darkness that adds to the tension. However, the story and plot are very thin, even given this is extremely short.

[thosemeddlingkids · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Queer horror graphic novel. Loved the artwork and green theme throughout. This wasn't as disturbing or creepy as anticipated, and I think there could have been a bit more leaning into the watching or envy of the dancer.

Still a very beautiful graphic novel. This is labeled/marketed as a horror romance, but for the romance readers - this is romantic subplot at best, no HEA/HFN to be seen.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

SKIN DEEP is a horror-themed short story translated to the comics medium. Don't expect a lot of background or world-building here, it's just a creepy, alternate world story about the price a troupe of dancers is willing to pay to be the focal point of the spotlight, even for a brief moment.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

So pretty! And scary!

[india :) · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

......yeah ok..... i guess good concept but also a 32 page book so of course not much you can do with that. i think worms that control your body and make you an elite dancer and the your sidekick gets jealous and kills you to have them could be such a good novel. like it could be something so gory and even sexualllllll. the art was beautiful.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based out of a night club, Skin Deep opens to the mysterious disappearance of lead dance performer, Soña. Only one person seems to know why, and the narrative shifts back to follow Mareike to understand what exactly happened to Soña. Serving as a queer supernatural romance and body horror comic all at once, there is decent sense of atmospheric tension that carries this relatively short comic. The storytelling is economical though somewhat cryptic, largely relying on a haunting sense of environment to cultivate the tone. Flo Woolley relies heavily on the shades of greens to apply the uneasy quality of Skin Deep, which overall does look great though it can be a bit overwhelming at times. The linework is expressive and sweeping, but at times a little too soft against the garish greens. It's a solid little comic with great tone and almost hypnotic storytelling.

[Karina (shedreamsinwords) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows Mareike and her fellow dancers at a nocturnal dance house. She blends into the shadows, but once the star dancer takes interest in her, Mareike gets a taste of the limelight and suddenly desires more.

At barely over 30 pages, this little comic has such stunning artwork with a muted palette that served a tempting allure for the eerie atmosphere. This does contain body horror which was quite interesting.

Calling this a queer horror romance is a stretch because there was on mostly only the allusion of a romance happening. I really wish this was longer because I enjoyed the vibes & thought it was fantastic for such a short little read.

[Dani 🐝 · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay this was so weird and so good. very creepy, very eerie, *very* pretty. would love to read a collection from Woolley. so glad I stumbled across this in my local independent bookstore 🥰

[Harry Palacio · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be said of immaculate talent is it a curse or an illness perhaps what we see is the pain being unraveled

[Ags · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is awesome! It's teeny tiny short, but still complete. I really enjoyed this, and I'd love to read a longer graphic novel by this artist. I enjoyed this so much (and it is so short) that I read it twice in one sitting. I really appreciated that this was a full story, a character study, and a horror surprise all at once.

Really amazing example of a graphic short story/comic's art style, panels, and language/text all being a great, thoughtful combo. I loved the green color and sketchy but detailed drawings, which made it feel sci-fi, and it's just so pretty. Creative use of doubled and layered drawings to depict dancers' movements - which were both beautiful and a bit grotesque. Cool!! Super expressive, and the dances end up being thematic/foreshadowing in a way I didn't notice at first (which made the re-read really fun!).

Overall, super fun, packs a punch, and I totally recommend.

[goodreed · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting short story, but not much depth. The illustrations are definitely the highlight, lovely panel layouts! Nice printing too.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great short story. I wish there was more!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

.::I'm Not Mad At It::.

I wish this was a few volumes instead of a short, graphic novel. Most of the world building is in the book description. I wouldn't know what ws going on otherwise. By the end, I still wasn’t 100% what exactly happened.
The art is gorgeous and the pannels flow together beautifully. It scratches the Bizenghast itch I have. I will keep an eye out for other work by this author.

[Elyse Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and creepy tale featuring gorgeous illustrations! If you enjoy Emily Carroll's Through the Woods, then you'll probably enjoy this little book.

[✦Ren✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is sooo beautiful. I need more ! <3

[Carina Stopenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

a stellar little volume with gorgeous illustrations and a nice, condensed narrative. it can be difficult to throw together something deep when you’re working with the limited page count of a single volume comic, but this one manages to craft a great tale. can’t wait to see what the creator puts together next!

[Lake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely art, story is a bit cursory and abrupt.

[ezra · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art is gorgeous. its giving suspiria (1977) if it was injected with a little bit of the substance and then put into a graphic novel. my only qualm is that i wish it was longer!!!! i wanted more spooky dancer gayness!!!

[timber rose, book witch (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

and the release will be during pride month?!?! win for the community.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’m just sad it wasn’t longer!!!

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty art but boring story

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was good. very black swan coded. art style carried this whole thing. subtle gayness? read this in a ten minute sitting or less

[Zaynab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I remember liking this, I wish I remembered literally anything about the content ... I assume this was a 3.5 rounded up.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great single issue volume from Silver Sprocket, a queer horror romance comic by Flo Woolley in a dance setting, with a (lime--see the color?!) twist. Desire meets dread as wallflower Mareike gets the attention of sensation Sona, the breathlessly exciting center of attention of the audience and all the other admiring dancers. But who/what is it that Mareike really desires? Things turn creepier as the desire heats up, with a sweet hot ending I had not initially expected.

The artwork is terrific, very promising in a (for me) new artist, in her first published story of this length. More, Flo! More! But wait. . . what is happening to me?! I can't take my eyes off Mareike. . .