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Bitter Root (Single Issues)
Bitter Root #1
In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance is in full swing, and only the Sangerye Family can save New York—and the world—from the supernatural forces threatening to destroy humanity. But the once-great family of monster hunters has been torn apart by tragedies and conflicting moral codes. The Sangerye Family must heal the wounds of the past and move beyond their differences… or sit back and watch a force of unimaginable evil ravage the human race. DAVID F. WALKER and SANFORD GREENE, the creative team of Power Man and Iron Fist, along with indie veteran CHUCK BROWN (Trench Coats, Cigarettes and Shotguns) bring you 24 action-packed pages of monsters, mayhem, and family dysfunction in a brand-new ongoing series. BITTER ROOT Cover As by SANFORD GREENE will be connecting through the first story arc.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 14, 2018
26 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
David F. Walker
293 books280 followersDavid F. Walker is a writer, filmmaker, and award-winning journalist. He teaches Writing For Comics at Portland State University.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 28, 2021
This interesting. African-American family that protects society from supernatural evil. The young woman wants to kick ass but that is a man's job. And there is conflict with the police and the Klan.
This is really good.
This is really good.
November 21, 2018
I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this series, but I’ve got to say, after only one issue I’m hooked. It’s so unique and not like any of the other series out there right now. But at the same time some of the themes being used feel familiar. The end result is something that is both recognizable and fascinating.
They did a good job starting off this series. We now have a good grasp of most of the players in this field, from the antagonists, protagonists, and even possibly a gray scale character or two. Plus we even got a good idea of what can happen to the innocents caught in between.
They did a good job starting off this series. We now have a good grasp of most of the players in this field, from the antagonists, protagonists, and even possibly a gray scale character or two. Plus we even got a good idea of what can happen to the innocents caught in between.
November 19, 2018
I'm really enjoying the character of Berg, with his big vocabulary and chill attitude. The color pallettes were dark and a bit monotone, but that also worked into the night setting and supernatural/horror theme.
November 7, 2020
Yes!
This first issue is what a first issue should be, I think. I look forward to seeking out more of this powerful- and imaginative-looking series.
This first issue is what a first issue should be, I think. I look forward to seeking out more of this powerful- and imaginative-looking series.
August 18, 2024
so good!! the afterword(s)?! 😮💨
November 6, 2018
Style and Substance
You can read this as a straight up monster hunting action/adventure tale set in 1920's Harlem. Or, you can read it as an extended metaphor about racism, and how racist attitudes can turn people into "monsters". Walker and Brown embrace what they call the "EthnoGothic", which is a way to manipulate and rethink horror and Gothic tropes to attack negative racial stereotypes. In extended notes and a thoughtful essay at the end of this first issue Walker and Brown invite the reader to follow both paths, and that was an invitation I was happy to accept.
The characters here are better developed than most, especially for a first issue. There are a lot of members of the Sangerye Family, and a fair number of them will demand and grab your attention right off the bat. While there is monster hunting it's not entirely clear at this point who or what the monsters are, why it has fallen to the Sangeryes to fight them, and what the end game might be. That said, the narrative overall and the individual scenes - comprising action, exposition, family conflict, and humor - promise a rich combination as the series develops.
So, this struck me as a strong and intriguing beginning, with real promise that the series will become even more layered and engaging as it progresses. A nice start.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
You can read this as a straight up monster hunting action/adventure tale set in 1920's Harlem. Or, you can read it as an extended metaphor about racism, and how racist attitudes can turn people into "monsters". Walker and Brown embrace what they call the "EthnoGothic", which is a way to manipulate and rethink horror and Gothic tropes to attack negative racial stereotypes. In extended notes and a thoughtful essay at the end of this first issue Walker and Brown invite the reader to follow both paths, and that was an invitation I was happy to accept.
The characters here are better developed than most, especially for a first issue. There are a lot of members of the Sangerye Family, and a fair number of them will demand and grab your attention right off the bat. While there is monster hunting it's not entirely clear at this point who or what the monsters are, why it has fallen to the Sangeryes to fight them, and what the end game might be. That said, the narrative overall and the individual scenes - comprising action, exposition, family conflict, and humor - promise a rich combination as the series develops.
So, this struck me as a strong and intriguing beginning, with real promise that the series will become even more layered and engaging as it progresses. A nice start.
(Please note that I had a chance to read a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
November 27, 2018
Afrofuturistic comic book about monster hunters during the time of Harlem Rennaissance. Artwork is very beautiful, characters are charismatic and plot is enjoyable.
On the other hand I hate "magical green serum" that can heal/buff people, it seems like every writer uses it (e. g. CODA) so it's super boring. Also after this issue I don't really understand the concept of monsters representing racism and how it is cured so easily.
Hopefully they'll shed some light on it in the next issue. For now I can say I'm hooked and I sure do recommend it to every reader!
On the other hand I hate "magical green serum" that can heal/buff people, it seems like every writer uses it (e. g. CODA) so it's super boring. Also after this issue I don't really understand the concept of monsters representing racism and how it is cured so easily.
Hopefully they'll shed some light on it in the next issue. For now I can say I'm hooked and I sure do recommend it to every reader!
February 24, 2019
This story blew me away. The art was stunning. With the color of their elixir which glows on each page. The way the creators are addressing a volume of issues, racism being the one that is naturally front and center, but along with that the empowerment of women, and the idea of what leadership is. This was extraordinary. I’m so happy I read this as it has been sitting in my to be read pile since I bought it in November. I’ll now likely go and read the three other issues I have in my collection now.
But the last absolutely astonishing thing is how exceptional the back matter is in this book. There is a letter from the creators, a quote from Beloved and then a fantastic essay about horror and the study of “race”from John Jennings. These added so much more to my enjoyment of the issue. So good.
But the last absolutely astonishing thing is how exceptional the back matter is in this book. There is a letter from the creators, a quote from Beloved and then a fantastic essay about horror and the study of “race”from John Jennings. These added so much more to my enjoyment of the issue. So good.
November 12, 2020
From just reading this single issue I felt like it was fun, but ultimately dealing with a lot of familiar themes. The girl in the family wants to fight and not be kept at home just making the serum. The men in the family go out monster hunting and use the serum to turn monsters back into people. It's only in reading more about this book that I began to get more interested in the larger ideas of the concept of becoming a monster being linked to racism. I would love to read more and find out how this bigger issue is handled, but in rating just this single issue alone it didn't pack as powerful as a punch. The artwork was beautiful and things were set up well, but I definitely would need to read more to get more deeply invested.
September 23, 2023
A Must-Read
THIS is what us comic fans mean when we say we actually DO like politics in our comics! This series not only takes place in the past, it also has supernatural/fantastical elements to make it a UNIQUE comic series that also happens to have a lot of political undertones. My highest recommendation, and this issue is FREE on Kindle, so you have NOTHING to lose. Check it out and if you like it, purchase the omnibus!
THIS is what us comic fans mean when we say we actually DO like politics in our comics! This series not only takes place in the past, it also has supernatural/fantastical elements to make it a UNIQUE comic series that also happens to have a lot of political undertones. My highest recommendation, and this issue is FREE on Kindle, so you have NOTHING to lose. Check it out and if you like it, purchase the omnibus!
December 17, 2019
Bloody echoes of "The Watchmen", but set in 1920's Harlem and in Mississippi. Racist hate turns people into monsters, and a clan fights them using variety of methods. Some (white) people might not have heard of the deadly Tulsa race riots of 21, or the huge numbers of lynchings and riots of the Red Summer of 1919, but hopefully mentions of them in this book will increase awareness.
April 11, 2020
An amiable, if sometimes clumsy opening chapter to a mostly-enjoyable opening chapter in a new series.
The writer seems content to unveil a new world slowly, and while the plot and the way its told are well-worn, the characters and verve are new.
This is a welcome change to the formula, and I might grab a volume at the right price.
The writer seems content to unveil a new world slowly, and while the plot and the way its told are well-worn, the characters and verve are new.
This is a welcome change to the formula, and I might grab a volume at the right price.
October 1, 2020
Picked this up at AfroTech last year and read it so fast I forgot to write a review for it. Love the characters and the time period - I don't read many stories that take place in the 1920's maybe I should start! It's got fun steampunk vibes and I want to purchase the TPs!
I also got to meet the artist Sanford Greene, he's super nice, incredibly talented, and he signed my comic :) yay!
I also got to meet the artist Sanford Greene, he's super nice, incredibly talented, and he signed my comic :) yay!
December 8, 2023
can’t wait to continue reading. great drawings, nice pacing, just the beginning of the world building. i think it’s very interesting to work with allegories of hate, i’m just a bit apprehensive at this point of the notion of hate and racism can be cured as in medicalised. there is no icd or dsm code for racism.
June 4, 2021
Just started this series, and I'm loving it so far! Won't be rating consecutive issues because I think that's redundant, but if my rating changes, I'll modify it here to reflect that change. As of right now, though, it's five stars from me!
August 18, 2024
cool shit!
The art work, the genre, the monsters, the black gods & goddess runnin the show…. Cool shit overall, just keep doin what y’all doin✊🏽😍. We need more cool black based comics in this world that are more than just fiction/fantasy.
The art work, the genre, the monsters, the black gods & goddess runnin the show…. Cool shit overall, just keep doin what y’all doin✊🏽😍. We need more cool black based comics in this world that are more than just fiction/fantasy.
May 15, 2025
Bitter Root #1
Although this comic came out some years ago it is still a excellent story to read. The artwork was fantastic.
The interaction between characters
was great. The storyline is a work in progress and I look forward to reading future issues.
Although this comic came out some years ago it is still a excellent story to read. The artwork was fantastic.
The interaction between characters
was great. The storyline is a work in progress and I look forward to reading future issues.
November 21, 2018
So excited for this. Issue one is a great introduction. Fighting Cthulhu-esque monsters during the Harlem Renaissance. Can't wait to see where future issues go.
November 24, 2018
The first issue is amazing on how they start right into the action and explains what this family does. Awaiting for the next issue!
December 4, 2018
Beautiful art and intriguing story. Will be following this series
February 1, 2020
actual rating: 3.5/5
May 22, 2020
Afro -centric
Deals with racial issues. Deals with occultism and demonic possession. Both of which are not for all viewers. Artwork is in color.
Deals with racial issues. Deals with occultism and demonic possession. Both of which are not for all viewers. Artwork is in color.
July 12, 2020
Brilliant Characters, Art and Story
What a great start to a series filled with fantastic characters that fight monsters. The monsters of racism. Loved it!
What a great start to a series filled with fantastic characters that fight monsters. The monsters of racism. Loved it!
December 26, 2020
What a first issue, I am HOOKED and am actively searching for a first volume in print. E-comics are good for testing the waters, but a trophy fish like this deserves to be the real thing.
March 8, 2021
I didn't particularly love this issue, however the story reeled me in. I want to read at least 2 more issues before I judge the story. Artwork fit well with the story.
August 25, 2023
My interest is piqued. I will be looking into more of this. It reminds me of the league of extraordinary gentlemen. But better.
February 19, 2025
My first graphic novel I've ever read and I'm trying to limit myself to one episode a day. It was interesting for sure.
October 19, 2020
Interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews