Cryptoid

by Eric Haven

This is a literary collection of interconnected comics stories about monsters ― giant monsters, tiny monsters, robot monsters, cosmic monsters ― some of whom work for the benefit of humankind, others as agents of chaos. Taking place over different planes of existence, trippy and deadpan, the stories share a perspective seen from a world gone horribly wrong. Worlds behind worlds are revealed ― including our own. Full-color illustrations throughout.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

72 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this even though I'm not sure what the hell it was supposed to be. The art is cool in a retro Marvel sort of way but there is no story to speak of. It seems to be a rapid fire series of super hero comic parodies. If Marvel ever does Doctor Strange: Grand Design, Eric Haven should head it up.

[Helen (Books by the Sea) · Rating 2 out of 5]

hilariously random. Took about 1 minute to read. A good minute spent as was both entertained and bemused all in one.

[Igor Stanojević · Rating 5 out of 5]

that it probably means nothing does not detract from the perfection.

[Doug Downing · Rating 3 out of 5]

He knew if he tried to launch 10 new titles onto newsstands all at once, his distributor / rival-publisher BC Comics (Ultra-Boy, Snake Child, Fantasti-Gal, etc.) would try to crush him. So he did the one thing no one expected: He combined them all into one epic comic. The success of his stratagem has been widely ignored but never repeated.

Kidding aside, this is a solidly humorous longform story but a little short for a book. Haven's writing, his way with a panel, is nimble and entertaining. Featuring: Mankylosaurus, Ant-Bat, The Gnome, The Resister, Nightsword, Box, Cryptoid(?), and more!

[Przemysław Skoczyński · Rating 3 out of 5]

Czytając czujesz, że najlepiej bawi się tu sam autor, który tworzy kolejne kreatury, człowieka-gnoma czy jeszcze jednego amerykańskiego superbohatera i rozprawia się z nimi w niemal szkolny sposób. Ale po skończeniu całości doceniam przede wszystkim kompozycję, to jak zgrabnie kolejne motywy z siebie wypływają, by na końcu spiąć się wspólną klamrą i zbudować spójną opowieść. Nadal niezbyt mądrą, ale dającą sporo frajdy

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This loosely connected set of surrealism has some great visual moments that really show some amazing skills at composition and framing. Probably would have gone full 5 stars, but being honest, I'm so tired of Trump references in anything and everything and when I hit that part, I rolled my eyes hard. Still Haven's a great creator that I need to read more from.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 3, no rounding.

15-20 minutes of "I'm not sure what's going on, but the art is excellent."

I laughed pretty hard at some scenes, and others felt like they really wanted to veer into horror but fell kind of flat. While I don't think the point is to have any kind of lasting narrative, having one would probably have bumped this up in my mind.

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Eric Haven's skewed view of reality & would've given four stars if not for the lame political story in the middle of this surreal series of nuttiness. It's mostly good stuff though. I recommend it for anybody who likes bizarre, enigmatic comix.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trippy vignettes with gorgeous art. A super quick read, but definitely worth it.

[no elle]

wasssuuuppppp to all the humanoid bald eagle women with titties

[Robert Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bizarre book without much of a plot, it meanders pleasantly from one oddball cryptid to another. There is a hint of old Marvel comics in it, but it has a drifting weirdness all its own.

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interconnected series of brief and, yes, cryptic tales tangled up at the intersection of parody and surrealism. A fun 10-minute read full of weirdness and surprises.

[David]

71 pages.

[Betzim Gdolot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a colorful sketch book. No real story and a bit pretentious. Liked the art though

[Connie Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't understand it, but I laughed and laughed and laughed & I absolutely loved it.

[Izetta Autumn]

what a weird little graphic novella. I'm delighted to have stumbled onto it.