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Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road
1931. Bronzeville. Chicago. The mage, Frank "Half Dead" Johnson, is a marked man. Literally. A drunken decision fueled by tragedy has left him with half a soul, sorcerous powers, and two centuries to work off his debt to Scratch (aka The Devil) himself. Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road. This graphic novel by artist/writer, John Jennings, chronicles three adventures with this tragic conjure man. Watch as "Half Dead" attempts to save his own soul, pay his debt, and help as many people as he can along the way. It's a hard-hitting Hoodoo Noir highball with just a splash of Southern Gothic. Smack-dab in the dark heart of the Windy City. Hold on tight! It's going to be a bumpy ride down Hard Times Road.
130 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2017
About the author
John Jennings
193 books70 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 27, 2018
Although it is titled "a half dead johnson" story, it is not a moving yet hilarious tale of erectile dysfunction. In fact, the protagonist's member appears to be the best-working part of him, judging from his girlfriend's behavior. Heart, soul, hand, ethics, those are all kinda messed up, but his dick (the word root is used several times in the text, but I was not certain whether it was a euphemism, as herbs also came into the magical working) is just hunky-dory.
I didn't *love* either art or story but they were interesting and worked well together. I think this may have suffered a bit, subjectively, from me having read a number of things with similar elements. I will list a few in case anyone is looking for more of this type of thing.
The Ballad of Black Tom
Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse #0
Half-Resurrection Blues
A couple of the stories in Long Hidden: Speculative Fiction from the Margins of History, namely "Nine" and "Numbers".
p.s. those horrible annoying gratuitous uses of bold font in every sentence in the first bit stop pretty quickly, don't give up on the 2nd page.
I didn't *love* either art or story but they were interesting and worked well together. I think this may have suffered a bit, subjectively, from me having read a number of things with similar elements. I will list a few in case anyone is looking for more of this type of thing.
The Ballad of Black Tom
Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse #0
Half-Resurrection Blues
A couple of the stories in Long Hidden: Speculative Fiction from the Margins of History, namely "Nine" and "Numbers".
p.s. those horrible annoying gratuitous uses of bold font in every sentence in the first bit stop pretty quickly, don't give up on the 2nd page.
April 12, 2017
This is my first introduction to Frank and I loved it. This is a book that doesn't only pull the reader into the story but yanks them by the straps and puts them in the middle of it. It was a page-turner for me and a very enjoyable one. There is enough conflict, intrigue, and laughs that at the end of it, I was left feeling attached to the main character and wanting more.
Without spoiling anything, I can say that the supernatural powers used by Frank are well balanced. I really love plots that heavily involve the supernatural but sometimes they can leave the reader with confusing plot holes and questions. This was not the case with "Blue Hand Mojo"! The hoodoo magic of the story was well-blended with the realistic struggles of the characters.
The art of the story flows easily throughout the page and evokes emotion well. It can be shocking at times, sullen at others, and make you laugh when it needs to. I just...really loved this book. I want to read more about Frank!
Without spoiling anything, I can say that the supernatural powers used by Frank are well balanced. I really love plots that heavily involve the supernatural but sometimes they can leave the reader with confusing plot holes and questions. This was not the case with "Blue Hand Mojo"! The hoodoo magic of the story was well-blended with the realistic struggles of the characters.
The art of the story flows easily throughout the page and evokes emotion well. It can be shocking at times, sullen at others, and make you laugh when it needs to. I just...really loved this book. I want to read more about Frank!
December 20, 2020
A tight little tale of sorcery-noir set in Depression Era Chicago, through the lens of a Black, former mob-enforcer who survived a lynching years earlier by making a deal with the Devil himself. Very much in the vein of Lovecraft Country (could almost be a prequel tale) and Ring Shout, particularly the latter. It ends clearly set up to create a series, though it never seemed to materialize, alas.
October 14, 2026
Some deals are made to save a life. Others leave you wondering whether the soul you sacrificed was ever truly yours to begin with.
Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road by John Jennings is a dark, imaginative graphic novel that blends supernatural horror, hard-boiled crime fiction, Hoodoo-inspired magic, and the grim realities of 1930s Chicago. Featuring a protagonist caught between the living world and the supernatural forces that claim ownership over him, this is a story about guilt, revenge, racism, survival, and the terrible price of trying to take control of your own fate.
At the center of the narrative is Frank “Half Dead” Johnson, a conjure man whose tragic past has left him with supernatural abilities and a debt to the Devil himself. Having sacrificed half his soul, Frank must navigate a world of gangsters, dangerous magic, and desperate people while attempting to reclaim what he has lost. His circumstances make him a compelling antihero: powerful enough to confront supernatural horrors, but damaged enough to understand that power rarely comes without consequences.
When your soul is already divided between good and evil, doing the right thing becomes a battle against both the world and yourself.
Frank is easily the book's greatest asset. He is rough around the edges, morally complicated, and far from a conventional hero. His supernatural abilities make him dangerous, but his personal history makes him vulnerable. He is a man burdened by tragedy who nevertheless continues to involve himself in other people's problems, even when walking away would be considerably safer.
That contradiction gives the character emotional weight. Frank isn't driven by an uncomplicated desire to save everyone, nor is he simply an opportunist exploiting his powers. He exists in the uncomfortable space between selfishness and compassion, trying to navigate a world where doing the right thing rarely guarantees a good outcome.
The historical setting is another major strength. By placing the story in Bronzeville, Chicago, during 1931, Jennings creates an environment where organized crime, social inequality, racial prejudice, and supernatural danger can coexist naturally. The setting is more than an atmospheric backdrop; it shapes the kinds of dangers Frank encounters and the choices available to him.
The treatment of racism is particularly important. Frank's supernatural problems exist alongside the very real injustices experienced by Black Americans during this period. The story recognizes that monsters do not always need magical powers, and that ordinary human cruelty can be every bit as terrifying as anything emerging from the supernatural world.
This gives the graphic novel a sharper identity than a conventional occult detective story. Its horror comes not only from demons, curses, and magical confrontations, but also from the social conditions surrounding its characters.
The combination of noir and Hoodoo-inspired fantasy is refreshingly distinctive. Gangsters, supernatural bargains, conjuring, revenge, and occult mysteries create a world that feels grimy, unpredictable, and dangerous. The familiar crime-fiction framework gives readers something recognizable, while the magical elements continually threaten to push the story into stranger territory.
The artwork reinforces this atmosphere. Jennings employs expressive linework, heavy shadows, and rough, sometimes chaotic compositions that complement the story's unsettling tone. The visuals can feel deliberately abrasive rather than polished, but that roughness often works in the book's favor. The world is ugly, violent, and morally compromised, and the artwork refuses to make it look cleaner than it should.
The black-and-white presentation also contributes to the mood. Shadows, smoke, distorted forms, and stark contrasts create a visual language suited to a story in which reality and supernatural forces frequently overlap. The art doesn't merely illustrate the action; it helps establish the psychological unease that runs through the narrative.
However, the visual style can occasionally become difficult to follow. Some panels are crowded, certain magical details could be clearer, and the movement between scenes can feel disorienting. Readers accustomed to cleaner, more conventional comic-book artwork may need time to adjust to Jennings's approach.
The narrative structure is similarly ambitious. Rather than focusing on one isolated incident, the book follows Frank through three connected adventures that gradually develop his world and the supernatural obligations governing his life. This structure provides variety, allowing the story to move between crime, horror, mystery, and action.
At the same time, the different elements don't always fit together seamlessly. The mythology can feel underexplained, and certain developments arrive before the reader has enough information to appreciate their full significance. Some characters also deserve more time to develop beyond their immediate roles in Frank's adventures.
These limitations are particularly noticeable because the premise has so much potential. The idea of a supernatural investigator struggling with a divided soul, a demonic debt, and the consequences of historical oppression could support a much longer narrative. At times, the book feels as though it is introducing a larger universe faster than it can fully explore it.
Nevertheless, its willingness to combine genres and confront uncomfortable themes makes it memorable. Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road doesn't settle for being a straightforward supernatural action comic. Beneath the violence and occult spectacle lies a story about people trying to survive circumstances they never should have had to endure.
What works best
A distinctive blend of supernatural horror, crime noir, and historical fantasy.
A compelling antihero in Frank “Half Dead” Johnson.
An atmospheric 1930s Chicago setting.
Thought-provoking engagement with racism, oppression, revenge, and moral responsibility.
Expressive artwork that reinforces the story's dark and unsettling mood.
An imaginative approach to Hoodoo-inspired magic and supernatural bargains.
A protagonist whose powers are inseparable from his personal suffering.
What could be stronger
The supernatural mythology occasionally feels confusing or insufficiently explained.
Some panels and scene transitions can be difficult to follow.
The relatively short format limits character development and world-building.
The combination of several genres sometimes makes the narrative feel uneven.
Some supporting characters could use more depth and individual motivation.
Final Verdict
Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road is a distinctive, atmospheric graphic novel that offers a refreshing alternative to conventional superhero comics and familiar supernatural detective stories. John Jennings builds a grim world where gangsters, magical forces, racial injustice, and personal tragedy collide, giving the story a personality that extends beyond its central supernatural mystery.
Frank Johnson is the heart of the book. His powers make him formidable, but his damaged soul, troubled past, and imperfect morality make him human. He is neither a spotless hero nor a completely selfish antihero. He is someone trying to do some good while living with the consequences of terrible choices and an unforgiving world.
The artwork and storytelling can occasionally be confusing, and the mythology would benefit from more room to breathe. However, these weaknesses do not erase the originality of the concept or the strength of its atmosphere.
Dark, violent, unconventional, and thematically ambitious, Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road is worth reading for anyone interested in supernatural noir that confronts the darkness of both the human soul and the society surrounding it.
February 19, 2017
I thought this was both deeply creative storytelling and also very gripping. It is a story with a significant back story. Who is Frank 'Half-Dead' Johnson and what is this mysterious and dark power that he wields? What is the deal he made with unfathomable darkness and why is it that men call upon him to solve dark mystery and sometimes ask him to commit dark crimes.
As the story unfolds we begin to understand that Frank is not a man to be trifled with because he wields darkness as a power but he is a man who is tortured by a darkness of his own.
In this story Frank tries to solve a mystery for one of his previous criminal colleagues whose men have been mysteriously slaughtered. As he delves into why he comes across powers of revenge that cause even him to fear.
The story has a way of illustrating violence and fear with its graphics and hard lined drawings. These convey the mystery and horror of the story but are also so expressive, beautifully portraying the emotions of the different characters in a way that adds to the mystery of the story. At first I did wish that the story had been in colour but after reading it I think that the use of black and white, and all the shades within that actually add to the tension, horror and mystery.
I am not familiar with the author of this book but he is brilliant in the way he uses art to convey a story that is steeped in mysticism, magic and darkness. Definitely worth reading.
Copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
As the story unfolds we begin to understand that Frank is not a man to be trifled with because he wields darkness as a power but he is a man who is tortured by a darkness of his own.
In this story Frank tries to solve a mystery for one of his previous criminal colleagues whose men have been mysteriously slaughtered. As he delves into why he comes across powers of revenge that cause even him to fear.
The story has a way of illustrating violence and fear with its graphics and hard lined drawings. These convey the mystery and horror of the story but are also so expressive, beautifully portraying the emotions of the different characters in a way that adds to the mystery of the story. At first I did wish that the story had been in colour but after reading it I think that the use of black and white, and all the shades within that actually add to the tension, horror and mystery.
I am not familiar with the author of this book but he is brilliant in the way he uses art to convey a story that is steeped in mysticism, magic and darkness. Definitely worth reading.
Copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
August 2, 2022
I was visiting D.C. with my partner, and on our first day in town, we decided to visit the Eastern Market. It was a mostly outdoor sprawl of vendors, their tents and tables teeming with colorful crafts, art, and oddities.
I was rubbernecking one particular vendor when he announced that he was selling graphic novels and other books with diverse authors and themes. I couldn't resist, and it didn't take more than a minute for me to realize that it wasn't a matter of if I was buying something, but how many somethings I was going to buy.
I suspect that the gentleman selling the books was the publisher, and his enthusiasm, warmth, and friendliness were a selling point unto themselves.
Among the four picks, was Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road. The art is black and white, and yet, still evocative of color. Somehow, you just know that when Frank's hand is glowing, it's glowing blue (and I mean beyond it being in the title).
The story is set in the Capone era, and Frank, the main character, is a John Constantine-type hoodoo magician, half-owned by the devil. It's a great first story, a solid cursory walk through John Jennings' world and a fast-paced, yet suspenseful launch into solve a supernatural mystery. As with some of Jennings other work, it explores themes of African American oppression and the consequences of both the actions of their oppressors and their retaliators. While the themes do no overshadow the story, one certainly walks away having both entertained and possessing tough thoughts and questions. This is a great read and I look forward to picking up more graphic novels in the series.
I was rubbernecking one particular vendor when he announced that he was selling graphic novels and other books with diverse authors and themes. I couldn't resist, and it didn't take more than a minute for me to realize that it wasn't a matter of if I was buying something, but how many somethings I was going to buy.
I suspect that the gentleman selling the books was the publisher, and his enthusiasm, warmth, and friendliness were a selling point unto themselves.
Among the four picks, was Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road. The art is black and white, and yet, still evocative of color. Somehow, you just know that when Frank's hand is glowing, it's glowing blue (and I mean beyond it being in the title).
The story is set in the Capone era, and Frank, the main character, is a John Constantine-type hoodoo magician, half-owned by the devil. It's a great first story, a solid cursory walk through John Jennings' world and a fast-paced, yet suspenseful launch into solve a supernatural mystery. As with some of Jennings other work, it explores themes of African American oppression and the consequences of both the actions of their oppressors and their retaliators. While the themes do no overshadow the story, one certainly walks away having both entertained and possessing tough thoughts and questions. This is a great read and I look forward to picking up more graphic novels in the series.
October 5, 2021
In Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road, John Jennings reimagined the classic noir genre through a black perspective, and takes it further by infusing supernatural elements and splatter punk gore.
Frank “Half-Dead” Johnson is an anti-hero of the probation era who damned his soul for revenge. Jennings commented, “Frank is definitely a version of what has been called "The Blues Detective" though. That is, a Black detective or detective-like character working in an urban space. Much like say...Easy Rawlins.”
In BH, race weaves reality and fantasy into a unique texture that isn’t explored enough. Jennings conveyed this in a bold style that draws you deep into Frank’s head, making his reality a visceral experience. Furthermore, the world is fleshed out with characters that make you want to squeeze every drop of their life story.
“I created the character as a way to explore the Great Migration. It just ended up being this mish-mash of horror, history and hoodoo.”
BH is a hardboiled crime-noir sharper than a switchblade point. With too many elements to capture in a short review, I’ll leave you now to discover them yourself.
Frank “Half-Dead” Johnson is an anti-hero of the probation era who damned his soul for revenge. Jennings commented, “Frank is definitely a version of what has been called "The Blues Detective" though. That is, a Black detective or detective-like character working in an urban space. Much like say...Easy Rawlins.”
In BH, race weaves reality and fantasy into a unique texture that isn’t explored enough. Jennings conveyed this in a bold style that draws you deep into Frank’s head, making his reality a visceral experience. Furthermore, the world is fleshed out with characters that make you want to squeeze every drop of their life story.
“I created the character as a way to explore the Great Migration. It just ended up being this mish-mash of horror, history and hoodoo.”
BH is a hardboiled crime-noir sharper than a switchblade point. With too many elements to capture in a short review, I’ll leave you now to discover them yourself.
January 13, 2017
Wow! Blue Hand Mojo is an amazing graphic novel. The artwork is gorgeous - dark and edgy, perfect for a surreal tale of hoodoo and gangsters. John Jennings is a talented author and artist. Frank “Half Dead” Johnson is a marked man, owned in part by the Devil and in part by Noir, the dark goddess of imagination. From her, Frank gets his magic, and from the Devil his task - to acquire souls for Ole Scratch’s final musical number. In 1931, having dark skin doesn’t make for an easy life, and with Frank’s additional challenges - well life is a bumpy road.
Considering just how good Blue Hand Mojo is, I can easily imagine John Jennings making his own deal with Noir. Whether you like fantasy/noir blends, graphic novels or are simply looking for something wonderfully unique, I highly recommend Blue Hand Mojo.
5/5
I received a copy of Blue Hand Mojo from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Considering just how good Blue Hand Mojo is, I can easily imagine John Jennings making his own deal with Noir. Whether you like fantasy/noir blends, graphic novels or are simply looking for something wonderfully unique, I highly recommend Blue Hand Mojo.
5/5
I received a copy of Blue Hand Mojo from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
September 8, 2024
A conjure man in 1930s Chicago, with supernatural powers gained through selling half his soul... it's a messy tale with lots of violence. Sometimes the art is messy, too, but that messiness made a more compelling narrative than more polished comics I've been reading lately. The best moments are little touches here and there... lighting a cigarette from a suddenly-burning middle finger, a mud golem suddenly losing its grimace and saying, "Mama?"
March 16, 2017
'Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road' by John Jennings is an urban fantasy that has an interesting story and unusual art going for it. I enjoyed the ride, but it's definitely of the R-rated variety.
Frank Johnson is known as "Half Dead" in his neighborhood for the deal he made with the devil to save his life. In return, he got a blue hand and some weird powers. Because of this, he has a debt to work off. He does this by helping people out. The latest of these people is a Chicago gangster named Mac the Shark, an associate of Al Capone.
The book has an interesting vibe. I liked that it was set in 1930s Chicago. I also like that Frank is also a pretty dark and tortured guy. The book is in black and white, and I didn't like it at first, but the violence is so over the top that I was glad that there was no color (specifically the color red). There were times when the story and art felt a little muddy to me, and I lost interest in the first third, but I came back and finished it and enjoyed it more.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Frank Johnson is known as "Half Dead" in his neighborhood for the deal he made with the devil to save his life. In return, he got a blue hand and some weird powers. Because of this, he has a debt to work off. He does this by helping people out. The latest of these people is a Chicago gangster named Mac the Shark, an associate of Al Capone.
The book has an interesting vibe. I liked that it was set in 1930s Chicago. I also like that Frank is also a pretty dark and tortured guy. The book is in black and white, and I didn't like it at first, but the violence is so over the top that I was glad that there was no color (specifically the color red). There were times when the story and art felt a little muddy to me, and I lost interest in the first third, but I came back and finished it and enjoyed it more.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
December 19, 2020
This slim graphic novel about a Black man in 1930s Chicago who's made a deal with the devil in return for supernatural powers that will allow him to avenge the lynching deaths of his wife and children is a compelling page-turner. Recommended for fans of Lovecraft Country, hard-boiled noir, grimdark fantasy, and the like.
January 8, 2017
Frank Is Back. Hard Times Gettin' Harder.
About a year and a half ago Amazon had a Kindle comic of this title that ran about 34 pages. It was great. Now, we have a 104 page graphic novel paperback that consists, according to the blurbs, of three "adventures" of Frank "Half Dead" Johnson. It looks like the first adventure is what we got in the earlier Kindle release. The balance of this book is two new adventures that expand on and wrap up the first adventure. That's all fine by me because the first episode was great and I'm happy to see more from Frank, even if only in paperback format.
Lots of writers, (of novels, short stories, film treatments or graphic novels), try to do noir. But snappy patter isn't enough. Nor are twisty plots and double-crossing dames. There is a style, a mood, and a dark hopelessness running through the best noir. On that score this book delivers. Once you
add Frank's gris-gris bag, voodoo/hoodoo/mojo hand, half-a-soul and sorcerer's powers, black magic, nightmares, drink, the devil himself, the love of a good woman, and some vengeful demon on the prowl - well, you have by gosh got something special.
Frank has an interior monologue that serves as a sort of voice-over narration. This creates a powerful you-are-there sense, but also lets you piece together Frank's awesome backstory. It's choppy and terse and a bit cryptic, just like Frank.
This is complemented by the drawings. It's black and white, but you might just as well say black. Lots of ink, lots of black, lots of "noir". Many of the closeups are exaggerated and angular, which gives the visuals a choppy, jazzy feel. The emphasis is on the characters, not backgrounds and fill, and scenes feel real and visceral even when they are pretty impressionistic. (That said, you always know what's going on; nothing here is artsy-incomprehensible.)
This is different, jazzy, relocated southern gothic, period specific, tormented and drenched with attitude. A very happy.
Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
About a year and a half ago Amazon had a Kindle comic of this title that ran about 34 pages. It was great. Now, we have a 104 page graphic novel paperback that consists, according to the blurbs, of three "adventures" of Frank "Half Dead" Johnson. It looks like the first adventure is what we got in the earlier Kindle release. The balance of this book is two new adventures that expand on and wrap up the first adventure. That's all fine by me because the first episode was great and I'm happy to see more from Frank, even if only in paperback format.
Lots of writers, (of novels, short stories, film treatments or graphic novels), try to do noir. But snappy patter isn't enough. Nor are twisty plots and double-crossing dames. There is a style, a mood, and a dark hopelessness running through the best noir. On that score this book delivers. Once you
add Frank's gris-gris bag, voodoo/hoodoo/mojo hand, half-a-soul and sorcerer's powers, black magic, nightmares, drink, the devil himself, the love of a good woman, and some vengeful demon on the prowl - well, you have by gosh got something special.
Frank has an interior monologue that serves as a sort of voice-over narration. This creates a powerful you-are-there sense, but also lets you piece together Frank's awesome backstory. It's choppy and terse and a bit cryptic, just like Frank.
This is complemented by the drawings. It's black and white, but you might just as well say black. Lots of ink, lots of black, lots of "noir". Many of the closeups are exaggerated and angular, which gives the visuals a choppy, jazzy feel. The emphasis is on the characters, not backgrounds and fill, and scenes feel real and visceral even when they are pretty impressionistic. (That said, you always know what's going on; nothing here is artsy-incomprehensible.)
This is different, jazzy, relocated southern gothic, period specific, tormented and drenched with attitude. A very happy.
Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
April 13, 2018
Well done horror noir. Not too terrifying (partly b/c of the art style), more Lovecraftian than the stuff that really makes me want to hide under the bed. Would like to spend more time with these characters and learn more about the world Jennings has crafted.
March 23, 2024
I had a hard time following the “Dream world” plot at times but overall very satisfying read - man has special powers and makes a deal with the underworld to provide work in exchange for protection. Gangsters, violence, making deals, jazz, all that stuff, comes together in the end.
March 20, 2020
Bardzo ciekawa historia, szkoda, ze nie ma kontynuacji. Z mankamentów: 1) mniej poważny - stanowczo za mała czcionka, 2) poważniejszy - historiii brakowało jakiegoś tła obyczajowego, czysta akcja.
February 12, 2021
Damn. This is some of the best noir I’ve ever read. Not that I’ve read a ton, but this is freaking awesome.
Frank “Half-Dead” Johnson is my new favorite character. I love this.
Frank “Half-Dead” Johnson is my new favorite character. I love this.
August 5, 2021
Esta bueno, la adaptación a audioibro esta mejor, no es maravilloso pero es entretenido.
October 23, 2025
Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road
John Jennings
Frank Johnson lives in a indisputable place of otherworldliness. His reputation exceeds itself. He’s rough around the edges, but anyone who’s made a deal with the devil would be.
When an old associate outsources his help he is intrigued by the undeniable fear he displays. With his specialized skills, Frank tries to get to the bottom of what has him so shaken.
It’s true sometimes the chicken comes home to roost, on a rampage. No one is exempt from the rule.
If you love a good graphic novel with traditional Hoodoo folklore with no dull moments, John Jennings never disappoints. The illustrations are brilliant and the story kept me entertained.
#readandtellwithshantel #johnjennings #BlueHandMojo
John Jennings
Frank Johnson lives in a indisputable place of otherworldliness. His reputation exceeds itself. He’s rough around the edges, but anyone who’s made a deal with the devil would be.
When an old associate outsources his help he is intrigued by the undeniable fear he displays. With his specialized skills, Frank tries to get to the bottom of what has him so shaken.
It’s true sometimes the chicken comes home to roost, on a rampage. No one is exempt from the rule.
If you love a good graphic novel with traditional Hoodoo folklore with no dull moments, John Jennings never disappoints. The illustrations are brilliant and the story kept me entertained.
#readandtellwithshantel #johnjennings #BlueHandMojo
January 10, 2017
When Frank's whole world was destroyed, he made a deal with The Devil that cost him half his soul and left him with magical powers. He has two hundred years to pay off his debt. There's a purpose for Frank's mojo, but he sometimes uses it to help others. Mac the Shark, an old associate of Frank’s and one of Al Capone’s men, pops in with a job for Frank. Some kind of dark magic seems to be killing off Mac's crew and Frank is the only man he knows who can stop it.
I’ve been stalking John Jenning’s art blog since I read Kindred: the Graphic Novel Adaptation. He featured some progress shots of Blue Hand Mojo, so I jumped at the chance to read the full version when it popped up on Netgalley. The gorgeous cover with shocking electric blue on top of brown would've probably drawn me in anyway! The illustrations and dialogue are so evocative of time and place that I can practically hear jazz music in the background. The page compositions are varied and interesting. The contrast of the sharp linework over smoky ink washes makes the art extremely atmospheric. I loved when the swirls of magic and cigarette smoke broke outside of the boxes. My favorite illustrations were of The Noir. The style is different from the artwork in Kindred, but both books share a frenetic energy and a power behind the movements. I don't know if the published copy will be black and white like the advance copy, but the artwork was sufficiently contrasty--even for as dark as it was.
I don't want to expose the entire plot, so here's a list of aspects that stood out for me:
• I loved Frank's speaking style: “Well, I’m starving for some beans so spill ‘em.”
• Policy wheels are featured in this story, so this article from the Chicago Tribune helped give me some context: When policy kings ruled: Numbers game made fortunes for underworld bosses, helped shape Chicago's fabled Democratic machine.
• The girlfriend who takes "passing potion."
• This quote after a family almost dies because they are more scared of a black man than a monster:
I can't really do better than the publisher's description: “Hard-hitting Hoodoo Noir highball with just a splash of Southern Gothic." If you have reading sensitivities, be aware that there is gore, nudity, and cursing. For those looking for a moody and immersive graphic novel, this book might be for you! I'm looking forward to the next episode of Frank's adventures.
—————
I received this book for free from Netgalley and Rosarium Publishing. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The publication date is March 1, 2017.
I’ve been stalking John Jenning’s art blog since I read Kindred: the Graphic Novel Adaptation. He featured some progress shots of Blue Hand Mojo, so I jumped at the chance to read the full version when it popped up on Netgalley. The gorgeous cover with shocking electric blue on top of brown would've probably drawn me in anyway! The illustrations and dialogue are so evocative of time and place that I can practically hear jazz music in the background. The page compositions are varied and interesting. The contrast of the sharp linework over smoky ink washes makes the art extremely atmospheric. I loved when the swirls of magic and cigarette smoke broke outside of the boxes. My favorite illustrations were of The Noir. The style is different from the artwork in Kindred, but both books share a frenetic energy and a power behind the movements. I don't know if the published copy will be black and white like the advance copy, but the artwork was sufficiently contrasty--even for as dark as it was.
I don't want to expose the entire plot, so here's a list of aspects that stood out for me:
• I loved Frank's speaking style: “Well, I’m starving for some beans so spill ‘em.”
• Policy wheels are featured in this story, so this article from the Chicago Tribune helped give me some context: When policy kings ruled: Numbers game made fortunes for underworld bosses, helped shape Chicago's fabled Democratic machine.
• The girlfriend who takes "passing potion."
• This quote after a family almost dies because they are more scared of a black man than a monster:
Black. White. The shit's all a sham. Nothing more than an illusion. ... Uncle Sam is the best conjure man of them all.
I can't really do better than the publisher's description: “Hard-hitting Hoodoo Noir highball with just a splash of Southern Gothic." If you have reading sensitivities, be aware that there is gore, nudity, and cursing. For those looking for a moody and immersive graphic novel, this book might be for you! I'm looking forward to the next episode of Frank's adventures.
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I received this book for free from Netgalley and Rosarium Publishing. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The publication date is March 1, 2017.
February 26, 2017
Two and a half goodread stars.
Having seen the initial issue of this some time ago, it was good to revisit the world of these pages, even if the end result is incredibly patchy. Yes, have a black and white painted comic, but when a key detail is something turning bright blue – at least try and make it obvious. Several pages and panels have a peculiar order with which to read the speech balloons and captions, and there are typos galore. But importantly, there is also something pretty damn interesting about a black Constantine equivalent in the Jazz Age, struggling against hexes, demons, racism – and the loss of half his soul and his future with deals with the supernatural. The story isn't as convoluted as it needs to be, but I think more of the mythology coming from other arcs will only ultimately add to the appeal of this story.
Having seen the initial issue of this some time ago, it was good to revisit the world of these pages, even if the end result is incredibly patchy. Yes, have a black and white painted comic, but when a key detail is something turning bright blue – at least try and make it obvious. Several pages and panels have a peculiar order with which to read the speech balloons and captions, and there are typos galore. But importantly, there is also something pretty damn interesting about a black Constantine equivalent in the Jazz Age, struggling against hexes, demons, racism – and the loss of half his soul and his future with deals with the supernatural. The story isn't as convoluted as it needs to be, but I think more of the mythology coming from other arcs will only ultimately add to the appeal of this story.
October 24, 2020
I received this book for free as a part of a test pilot for a Rosarium Mystery Box -- and it ended up being an A+ example of why the concept should work. I absolutely never would have picked this book up for myself. Partly because I am having a bit of a graphic novel dry spell -- where I pick up titles that look interesting but just can't commit to buying any. Also because its mob/PI/conjure-man story isn't a part of my usual genres.
But I really enjoyed this. Partly because it felt so surprising and fun to mash those story elements together. Plus Frank is a man with enough troubles (and demons, including the literal Devil) of his own that he probably should just find a hole somewhere and keep his head down, but instead his is compelled to endanger himself to help the helpless, over and over.
Dark and compelling. With art that is such a good fit for the mood of the story.
But I really enjoyed this. Partly because it felt so surprising and fun to mash those story elements together. Plus Frank is a man with enough troubles (and demons, including the literal Devil) of his own that he probably should just find a hole somewhere and keep his head down, but instead his is compelled to endanger himself to help the helpless, over and over.
Dark and compelling. With art that is such a good fit for the mood of the story.
April 24, 2017
Half Dead Johnson has made a deal with the devil to provide him souls in exchange for power. One of his old buddies is in trouble and comes to Johnson for help. He's being hunted by a golem for killing someone's son.
Reminiscent of the Dresden Files with a less altruistic character. I liked the prose written to the side of the panels to display his inner monologue. The art needs to be a little more defined. Also, because the book is black and white, you need a better way visually of showing the blue hand. I had no idea when he was using magic.
Received an advance copy from Rosarium and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Reminiscent of the Dresden Files with a less altruistic character. I liked the prose written to the side of the panels to display his inner monologue. The art needs to be a little more defined. Also, because the book is black and white, you need a better way visually of showing the blue hand. I had no idea when he was using magic.
Received an advance copy from Rosarium and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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