Box of Bones #1

by Ayize Jama-Everett, John Jennings (Illustrations)

When Black graduate student, Lyndsey, begins her dissertation work on a mysterious box that pops up during the most violent and troubled time in Africana history, she has no idea that her research will lead her on a phantasmagorical journey from West Philadelphia riots to Haitian slave uprisings. Wherever Lyndsey finds someone who has seen the Box, chaos ensues. Soon, even her own sanity falls into question. In the end, Lyndsey will have to decide if she really wants to see what's inside the Box of Bones.Described as "Tales from the Crypt Meets Black History," Box of Bones is a supernatural nightmare tour through some of the most violent and horrific episodes in the African Diaspora. Jama-Everett and Jennings have assembled a talented group of artists for this ten-issue project, including cover artist, Stacey Robinson (I Am Alfonso Jones), David Brame (MediSIN), Avy Jetter (APB: Artists against Police Brutality), and Tim Fielder (Matty's Rocket). The first issue (penciled by Jennings) will appear digitally later this fall with the first five-issue trade paperback appearing in late summer 2018.

Genres: Comics

46 pages, ebook

First published March 28, 2018

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of an African-American version of Hellraiser. A young lady is researching these paranormal creatures that have appeared throughout history. Then we get a flashback to her grandfather's encounter with the monster when he was a young man. I liked the chunky, moody art as well.

[Dev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley

Normally I don't read comics as single issues but this popped up on NetGalley and looked intriguing. It's definitely a really nice start to what could be a very unique horror comic, but it's a bit too short to contain much more than an extended background/flashback story. I did really like the unique art style and overall mood though.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge graphic novel reader but this one intrigued me. I found the content chilling and graphic...just the way it should be. The flashback in the story (which was the main focus it seems) drew me right in and held my interest. This was an incredibly graphic, gory and terrifying first chapter. The graphics were very well done although t=some of the text I had a hard time reading. I definitely want to know what happens next! I may be converted!

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part one of a story about a young woman who decides to do her Phd on the myth of the Box of Bones which is a monster that carries out vengeance on behalf of people.

In this volume the young woman recounts a story told by her grandfather when the box of bones was used to wreak vengeance on a group of white men who had beaten up and raped a young black woman. The young woman decides that she cannot live without vengeance but the bones exact a toll on those who call upon its powers.

It is an interesting story, although too much violence, blood and guts for me. This is the first volume in the series and despite the gruesome story the series is deinitely off to a good start

Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

"EthnoGothic" horror at its finest. Parallels will be drawn to Get Out or Lovecraft Country, and fans of those will get a lot out of this. But Box of Bones goes even further, reflecting the brutality of historical anti-Black racial terrorism with an even more unflinching eye. I only wish all the art was John Jennings'.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only the first chapter in what looks to be a multichapter graphic novel, so it is a bit hard to judge wher ethis will go, but this is very dark and gruesome, so far. Not that what happens in real life is not dark and gruesome, but you have been warned.

Lyndsey Ford is writing a dissertation on something called the Box of Bones, which can, at least in the first story, in this chapter, enact revenge, but at a great price. We are witness to this violence, done as a revenge for gang rape, and a savage beating. In this first story, it happened to her grandfather. I expect the next chapters will see other times, and other places the Box has been enacted for some revenge.

This is very dark, and very gruesome, but if you enjoy horror, it is probably up your alley.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brisk and enjoyably gaudy look at the evil monsters and suchlike contained in black myth. An anthropologist sets out her research thesis to begin here, and extended flashback proves the cause of her specialisation to be the testimony of her sightless, blues-plucking grandfather. It's standard fare, but done with visual brio if nothing else – I suspect the full ten-part project will be rather enjoyable. Three and a half stars perhaps for this launch episode, but rounded up with optimism.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was intense.

But pretty cool for an indie horror comic. Maybe not for the faint of heart, but I definitely found it interesting. And I liked the art. I’ll be looking for issues 2-10!

Monsters take many forms.

Thanks to NetGalley and Rosarium Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Benjamin Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

First comic book I've read in awhile and it is really amazing. Found through the Imaginary Worlds podcast episode about Inverting Lovecraft (great interview with Victor LaValle, too) and the artist for this book spoke about Lovecraft's influence mixing with his xenophobia.

[H.V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unsettling and unflinching exploration of trauma and the razor-thin line between justice and vengeance that confronts the US's racist past and present. Also introduced me to Dr. Maisha Wester and Dr. Susana Morris through the inclusion of their essays in the appendix.

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly, I really don't think this is a series that I'll continue, although I may try one more chapter before deciding for sure. The premise of it sounded really interesting to me. As a white person, raised in Christianity, I'm always interested in discovering more about other cultures and religions. This one doesn't really go into any like I thought it might. It shows a very superficial view to the story while at the same time being more descriptive with violence, which I'm just not personally interested in. I don't mind violence but when it replaces story, I don't enjoy it. It was still interesting. The art syle is very unique and almost cartoonish but I enjoyed it. The art somewhat diminished the shock of the violence though this is still definitely an adult graphic novel. There's definitely language, quite a bit of violence, and even a sexual depiction. If you're not sure you want to check it out, I'd have to recommend you pass on this one.

I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Etienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good! I didn't like the illustrations style. I didn't like the story and I didn't like the kind of horror it try to present. To compare itself to the Tales From The Crypt is very very presomptuous!!

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off to a promising start!

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through NetGalley. Trigger warning for racism, misogyny, and violence, including rape.)

I very rarely read single issues of comic books, let alone review them, for one simple fact: I just don't have the patience to wait for the next issue in the series! Much like TV shows, I'd rather wait until the entire series has come out and then binge them all at once. But when the fledgling issue of Box of Bones popped up on NetGalley, I just couldn't resist.

Luckily, the story in this first issue is somewhat self-contained. While we're introduced to the concept of the main plot, most of the action takes place in the form of a flashback.

UC Berkeley student Lindsay Ford's research into the appearance of "spectral creatures" at key moments in Black American (North and South) history has landed her in front of the faculty, arguing for the viability of her project. When asked if there's a personal reason behind her academic interests, Lindsay remembers a story told to her by her grandfather. As teenagers, Jim and his friend Gauge were brutally attacked - beaten nearly unconscious and, in Gauge's case, raped - by a gang of racist white classmates. Gauge turns to her mother's "New Orleans voodoo" - in the form of a box of bones to which the practitioner must sacrifice her soul - to unleash her revenge.

While I do enjoy a good rape revenge story - because, let's be honest, the world of fiction is pretty much the only time abusive men are held accountable for their actions - rape is also overused as a plot device. Gauge's violation takes place off-screen, but it still comes like a punch to the gut, especially since it looks for a hot second like she might escape. Revenge comes quickly and is satisfying as heck. So I guess my feelings are mixed on this one.

Otherwise the story is engaging enough; a solid start to what looks like a promising series. Overall I enjoyed the artwork; though the monster has an over-the-top, gonzo feel to it, I quickly found myself digging the style.



I especially like how it changes and morphs with each "victim." (Scare quotes because some of those peeps totally had it coming.)

3.5 stars.

http://www.easyvegan.info/2018/04/24/...

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Box of Bones surprised me as I was expecting a straight horror/science fiction comic. Those elements are contained in the book, but there is more here in terms of place, context, and culture that adds a layer to this experience. The book is violent, of course - the cover is a giveaway on this fact, as well as the book's description from the publisher. What is interesting is the way the artist pairs this violence with a sense of the rounded edges and splash of a cartoon image.