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Long Lost #1-6
Long Lost
Long Lost is a surreal, dark, slice-of-life horror comic in the vein of Junji Ito’s Uzumaki and Charles Burns’ Blackhole. Created by husband and wife team, Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle (Modern Witch Tarot Deck), published monthly by Scout Comics.
The first trade collection of the critically acclaimed debut from Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle, Long Lost is the story of two estranged sisters who find themselves drawn back to their small southern hometown after an invitation from an otherworldly creature. The pair is compelled to unlock the disturbing mysteries that are hidden in Hazel Patch in the hopes of uncovering the bizarre circumstances surrounding their mother… but they must deal with each other first.
Join Scout Comics as they proudly debut this compelling, harrowing journey through family relationships, trauma, and secrets out of the past
The first trade collection of the critically acclaimed debut from Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle, Long Lost is the story of two estranged sisters who find themselves drawn back to their small southern hometown after an invitation from an otherworldly creature. The pair is compelled to unlock the disturbing mysteries that are hidden in Hazel Patch in the hopes of uncovering the bizarre circumstances surrounding their mother… but they must deal with each other first.
Join Scout Comics as they proudly debut this compelling, harrowing journey through family relationships, trauma, and secrets out of the past
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2018
1 person is currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Erman
63 books61 followersMatthew Erman is a writer from Columbus, Ohio. Erman is known for his unique storytelling style which often blends humor and heart with the surreal and sometimes disturbing. He co-created the critically acclaimed horror series, "Long Lost,” and the roadtrip fantasy "Witchblood" with his wife, Lisa Sterle as well as being the sole creator for the sci-fi coming-of-age graphic novel “Bonding”. Erman also has written for popular properties such as Power Rangers and The Dark Crystal and has upcoming comics with Mad Cave Studios, IDW, and more.
You can find him online at www.matthewerman.com or in-line at your local Arby’s.
You can find him online at www.matthewerman.com or in-line at your local Arby’s.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 4, 2021
I've been looking to read this for a long time after a couple of recommendations, but it's also been out of print for awhile. Yay for me that it just popped up on Hoopla. (There is a new edition coming out from Scout Comics this fall.
This has got Southern Gothic written all over it. It's about 2 sisters who escaped from a troubled small town life. They are pulled back to the town of Hazel Patch when this creature kidnaps Piper's dog and tells her they must go to their estranged mother's birthday party to get it back. Some f'd up witchy things happen, but it looks like I'll need to read volume 2 to see exactly what's going on.
Long Lost is written and drawn by the husband and wife team of Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle. Sterle has a manga look to the main characters' faces while maintaining a horror vibe. I dug her black and white, greyscale art.
This has got Southern Gothic written all over it. It's about 2 sisters who escaped from a troubled small town life. They are pulled back to the town of Hazel Patch when this creature kidnaps Piper's dog and tells her they must go to their estranged mother's birthday party to get it back. Some f'd up witchy things happen, but it looks like I'll need to read volume 2 to see exactly what's going on.
Long Lost is written and drawn by the husband and wife team of Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle. Sterle has a manga look to the main characters' faces while maintaining a horror vibe. I dug her black and white, greyscale art.
December 21, 2024
First of all, you need to know that I am a VERY HUGE WUSS when it comes to horror stuff. I’m going to go ahead and date myself: things that terrified me growing up included Are You Afraid of the Dark, Goosebumps and yes, even the Mummy movie with Brandon Frasier kept me up at night.
So when my local comic shop employee (after recommending a bunch of things I’ve already read and loved so I immediately trusted her) praised the crap out of this book, I flipped through the creepy, black and white pages and asked how scary it was. She said that it’s less horror and mostly creepy.
Well, this book was creepy as hell, and I loved every second of it.
Piper, the protagonist, is struggling to get through life and forget the demons in her past, adopting a puppy named Pockets and isolating herself from her family. But not only does her sister Frances return in her life, the two are visited by a mysterious being who kidnaps Pockets and bribes them to return to Hazel Patch, their rural hometown, and attend their mother’s birthday party. The two are forced to face their horrific and potentially traumatic memories, the surprising revelation that their mother is missing, and confront some very weird goings on in Hazel Patch.
Married team Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle lay the groundwork for a gripping, tense, page turning story. The writing and art work together seamlessly which is a testament to this creative team – all the bigger of an accomplishment as spouses! The pacing is fantastic as the story slowly unfolds, including flashbacks to when Piper and Frances were children, flashes of traumatic memories, and thrilling horror scenes with slower, character building moments. There is plenty of mystery about the town, a cult with connections to Piper and Frances, and the volume’s ending cliffhanger promises a lot of big reveals to come.
Piper and Frances are fantastic characters who are clearly siblings but very different people who were shaped by their shared trauma – even though we don’t know yet exactly what they experienced at the hands of their parents. Even with the fantastical story they feel like very real characters which grounds the story and kept me invested the whole way through. I’ll be interested to see in the second (and final) volume how much of the story is a commentary on both sisterhood and overcoming childhood trauma.
Sterle’s artwork is just fantastic, especially since the style is not what you might expect in this genre. Piper, Frances and the other main characters have slightly anime and more expressive than what I usually see in horror comic (covers, I don’t actually read them are you kidding), but it really works for the story here. This contrasts with the gore elements as well as the monsters (and some of the Hazel Patch residents) who have less of a cartoony look, making them even more other worldly and terrifying. The colors are black and white gradients, which is very appropriate for horror and gives the book a strong atmosphere as well as a lot of opportunity to play with darkness, blood, and lots of creepy shit. This is probably my limit of creepy shit, but it was totally worth it.
I also have to say that I love a story with a predestined conclusion; no page is wasted and the book was clearly a labor of love by Erman and Sterle, who are masters at building tension and I was almost frantically turning the final pages with my heart racing.
Looking forward to profusely thanking my amazing LCS folks and picking up the second and final volume.
More reviews on my blog, Reading Art!
So when my local comic shop employee (after recommending a bunch of things I’ve already read and loved so I immediately trusted her) praised the crap out of this book, I flipped through the creepy, black and white pages and asked how scary it was. She said that it’s less horror and mostly creepy.
Well, this book was creepy as hell, and I loved every second of it.
Piper, the protagonist, is struggling to get through life and forget the demons in her past, adopting a puppy named Pockets and isolating herself from her family. But not only does her sister Frances return in her life, the two are visited by a mysterious being who kidnaps Pockets and bribes them to return to Hazel Patch, their rural hometown, and attend their mother’s birthday party. The two are forced to face their horrific and potentially traumatic memories, the surprising revelation that their mother is missing, and confront some very weird goings on in Hazel Patch.
Married team Matthew Erman and Lisa Sterle lay the groundwork for a gripping, tense, page turning story. The writing and art work together seamlessly which is a testament to this creative team – all the bigger of an accomplishment as spouses! The pacing is fantastic as the story slowly unfolds, including flashbacks to when Piper and Frances were children, flashes of traumatic memories, and thrilling horror scenes with slower, character building moments. There is plenty of mystery about the town, a cult with connections to Piper and Frances, and the volume’s ending cliffhanger promises a lot of big reveals to come.
Piper and Frances are fantastic characters who are clearly siblings but very different people who were shaped by their shared trauma – even though we don’t know yet exactly what they experienced at the hands of their parents. Even with the fantastical story they feel like very real characters which grounds the story and kept me invested the whole way through. I’ll be interested to see in the second (and final) volume how much of the story is a commentary on both sisterhood and overcoming childhood trauma.
Sterle’s artwork is just fantastic, especially since the style is not what you might expect in this genre. Piper, Frances and the other main characters have slightly anime and more expressive than what I usually see in horror comic (covers, I don’t actually read them are you kidding), but it really works for the story here. This contrasts with the gore elements as well as the monsters (and some of the Hazel Patch residents) who have less of a cartoony look, making them even more other worldly and terrifying. The colors are black and white gradients, which is very appropriate for horror and gives the book a strong atmosphere as well as a lot of opportunity to play with darkness, blood, and lots of creepy shit. This is probably my limit of creepy shit, but it was totally worth it.
I also have to say that I love a story with a predestined conclusion; no page is wasted and the book was clearly a labor of love by Erman and Sterle, who are masters at building tension and I was almost frantically turning the final pages with my heart racing.
Looking forward to profusely thanking my amazing LCS folks and picking up the second and final volume.
More reviews on my blog, Reading Art!
October 26, 2018
Strangers-in-Paradise-like girlish cuteness meets the psychological darkness of a Charles Burns and the weirdness of the more surreal Daniel Clowes books; as directed by David Lynch's hip, young cousin. Promising start, now let's see if they can stick the landing.
July 24, 2023
It was okay? I wasn’t really too into the story and the girls don’t seem all that interesting. It did get my interest at the church scene and I do wonder more about what happened, so I’ll probably will pick up the second volume.
November 9, 2018
When I started "Long Lost", the first thing I noticed was the art style. And let me just say, that I love it so much. It reminds me of a cute cartoon, but the subject is so dark and disturbing, I just couldn't get enough of it. Inside this book are two sisters, bound by a dark past. Their mother has been missing for fifteen years, and they're haunted by the memories they do have by her. They go on the adventure of their life when they get a scary message from something, inviting them to their mother's fifty fifth birthday party, after stealing one of the sister's dog.
Check out my full review here!
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Check out my full review here!
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May 20, 2022
Such a shame that this fell flat. I love the setting and concept; gothic horror dealing with childhood trauma is always great. The visual themes also reminded me a lot of Emily Carroll's work, and the art of Long Lost is also pretty nice in general.
That being said, this comic is FAST. The pacing allows no time for the reader or characters to process anything that's happening. Even from panel to panel, it feels extremely rushed. It felt that way from the start-- almost like I was starting on volume two instead of one. Halfway through I actually flipped back to double check that I HAD picked up the first volume. I think this is all meant to lend an air of mystery to what happened to Frances and Piper, but it doesn't land at all. It makes their relationship and personalities feel fairly flat and the tension between them seem unwarranted.
I give it two stars for the art and initial concept, but will probably be dropping this one here.
That being said, this comic is FAST. The pacing allows no time for the reader or characters to process anything that's happening. Even from panel to panel, it feels extremely rushed. It felt that way from the start-- almost like I was starting on volume two instead of one. Halfway through I actually flipped back to double check that I HAD picked up the first volume. I think this is all meant to lend an air of mystery to what happened to Frances and Piper, but it doesn't land at all. It makes their relationship and personalities feel fairly flat and the tension between them seem unwarranted.
I give it two stars for the art and initial concept, but will probably be dropping this one here.
January 31, 2019
Since seeing the solicit of the first issue of Scout Comics’ Long Lost #1, I have been a fan. The horror mystery by writer Matthew Erman and artist Lisa Sterle caught my interest with the cover, but the first issue is what hooked me. Now, with the collection of the first arc, I have to say for fans of horror comics or smart writing, you need to be reading this book.
The story follows Piper, a young woman who is trying to start over in life with her little dog, Pockets. Things start to get weird when her dog goes missing and her sister, Frances, comes out to visit. The sisters come into contact with a mysterious hooded being, one that took Piper’s dog and has an invitation for the sisters to a birthday celebration for their mother. A few things are wrong here: their mother is mentally ill and should be in a hospital, and who the heck is this strange person?
The key to this book is the relationship between Piper and Frances. It is clear they don’t get along, and their interactions show it. The emotional charge that Erman injects into the script and Sterle brings to life in stark black and white is amazing. We go on a journey with the sisters that keeps getting stranger, with imagery that shocks you and will probably give you nightmares. Going home is hard to do as the saying goes, but in the case of these two young ladies, going home means facing a past that refuses to stay in the past. Mystery, intrigue and a southern sense of horror packs the pages and makes for one heck of a cliffhanger.
I won’t go into spoilers; I will just say that this is a mature readers dream. Long Lost has some of the best dialogue I have seen in comics, and the imagery makes the book the total package. From the character designs to the flow of the panels, this book is hard to put down, and when you do, you will wish there was more. Volume 2 has already kicked off, so now is a great way to jump on board. Long Lost is one of the best books of 2018, prove me wrong.
The story follows Piper, a young woman who is trying to start over in life with her little dog, Pockets. Things start to get weird when her dog goes missing and her sister, Frances, comes out to visit. The sisters come into contact with a mysterious hooded being, one that took Piper’s dog and has an invitation for the sisters to a birthday celebration for their mother. A few things are wrong here: their mother is mentally ill and should be in a hospital, and who the heck is this strange person?
The key to this book is the relationship between Piper and Frances. It is clear they don’t get along, and their interactions show it. The emotional charge that Erman injects into the script and Sterle brings to life in stark black and white is amazing. We go on a journey with the sisters that keeps getting stranger, with imagery that shocks you and will probably give you nightmares. Going home is hard to do as the saying goes, but in the case of these two young ladies, going home means facing a past that refuses to stay in the past. Mystery, intrigue and a southern sense of horror packs the pages and makes for one heck of a cliffhanger.
I won’t go into spoilers; I will just say that this is a mature readers dream. Long Lost has some of the best dialogue I have seen in comics, and the imagery makes the book the total package. From the character designs to the flow of the panels, this book is hard to put down, and when you do, you will wish there was more. Volume 2 has already kicked off, so now is a great way to jump on board. Long Lost is one of the best books of 2018, prove me wrong.
March 23, 2022
I picked this up due to people comparing it to the work of Junji Ito and whilst I somewhat understand the comparison it’s not fair to this work or Ito.
The story is pretty well worn but a personal favourite - after leaving their less than ideal childhood home two sisters have to return and in doing so discover things aren’t exactly what they seem. I don’t mind the set up but this story lost me with how vapid the characters are.
We have one sister with brown hair who is more quiet and reserved and we have another sister that is blonde and more outgoing. This is about as far the story goes to fleshing them out.
Their reason for returning home is fine but even though there’s some supernatural elements from the off, they’re handled with no subtlety. This would be fine if the characters reacted a certain way to this but as with most big moments in the issues contained here nothing has any lasting impact. The story moves at a speed in which the big events don’t seem to have any actual impact.
The dialogue often alludes to situations that happened between the sisters and their family and this was the most intriguing part of the story. Issue 6 does end on a note that has me curious to where the story will go but I couldn’t say for sure if I’d pick up another volume.
2/5
The story is pretty well worn but a personal favourite - after leaving their less than ideal childhood home two sisters have to return and in doing so discover things aren’t exactly what they seem. I don’t mind the set up but this story lost me with how vapid the characters are.
We have one sister with brown hair who is more quiet and reserved and we have another sister that is blonde and more outgoing. This is about as far the story goes to fleshing them out.
Their reason for returning home is fine but even though there’s some supernatural elements from the off, they’re handled with no subtlety. This would be fine if the characters reacted a certain way to this but as with most big moments in the issues contained here nothing has any lasting impact. The story moves at a speed in which the big events don’t seem to have any actual impact.
The dialogue often alludes to situations that happened between the sisters and their family and this was the most intriguing part of the story. Issue 6 does end on a note that has me curious to where the story will go but I couldn’t say for sure if I’d pick up another volume.
2/5
March 30, 2022
I had high hopes for Long Lost, because it ticks a number of my boxes—a story about sisters with spooky shit, what’s not to love? I am also a fan of Sterle’s artwork and loved Witchblood, which I also found messy and flawed. But I just think that Ehrman’s storytelling and Sterle’s artwork both could use some tightening to really make this shine.
I want to get volume two of the collected trades, but hearing that it’s even messier than this first one and having read issues #1-10 of Witchblood (for an idea of what that messiness can look like), I am a little hesitant.
I want to get volume two of the collected trades, but hearing that it’s even messier than this first one and having read issues #1-10 of Witchblood (for an idea of what that messiness can look like), I am a little hesitant.
January 21, 2025
The art style is awesome (5 out of 5) and used in a creative way that enhances the storytelling.
The storytelling (3 out of 5) is fine, but it moves so quickly that it doesn’t give the reader time to process anything and doesn’t really explain anything. There’s weird witch ladies and zombie-like people and people coughing up weird things, but it doesn’t really explain what any of it means.
This volume is only issues 1-6, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt, but it’s gotta give you something.
The storytelling (3 out of 5) is fine, but it moves so quickly that it doesn’t give the reader time to process anything and doesn’t really explain anything. There’s weird witch ladies and zombie-like people and people coughing up weird things, but it doesn’t really explain what any of it means.
This volume is only issues 1-6, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt, but it’s gotta give you something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2021
More like 2.5. I’d like to thank edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The premise of this graphic novel sounded really interesting but sadly it fell flat for me and didn’t hold my interest.
October 22, 2022
अपने पल्ले नहीं पड़ी।
वैसे ज़रूरी नहीं कि ये पुस्तक इतनी बेकार ना हो जितनी मुझे लगी है पर मैं हूँ सत्यवादी सो मुझे तो ये पुस्तक फूटी आँख ना सुहाई। बे सर पैर की कहानी है पता नहीं कौन पढ़ता है इन कृतियों को। भगवान उनका भला करे।
वैसे ज़रूरी नहीं कि ये पुस्तक इतनी बेकार ना हो जितनी मुझे लगी है पर मैं हूँ सत्यवादी सो मुझे तो ये पुस्तक फूटी आँख ना सुहाई। बे सर पैर की कहानी है पता नहीं कौन पढ़ता है इन कृतियों को। भगवान उनका भला करे।
May 31, 2020
Beautiful art and an intriguing introduction to a wonderfully creepy story
February 15, 2021
Love the story. Beautiful illustration. Can't wait for the second half!
November 28, 2021
Deliciously spooky and Lisa Sterle's art is always just so gorgeous.
May 25, 2022
Four stars because I really, really like the art. The story is interesting, but so weird and twisted that it's really hard to follow.
August 31, 2022
The story is really interesting, I just have an issue with the pacing. I wish it was more of a slow burn horror? Still really want to see where it goes though!
did-not-finish
January 16, 2023Gave up after 2 chapters. Not my thing.
April 6, 2023
I loved the storytelling and the art style. Loved how suspenseful it was. It kept me guessing until the end.
August 5, 2023
Started off exceptionally but then lost steam after a while. It's a real shame but I would pick up volume 2 if it exists.
January 12, 2024
I got this for the Lisa Sterle art not knowing much else about it and enjoyed it a lot. Now I'm going to have to track down book two.
March 4, 2024
I believe I read this (via Edelweiss e-galley) back in April 2022 but it felt a little unfinished. Must have not added it to GR at the time.
September 22, 2022
No library in the state of Michigan owns the next copy. I think I would have like this better if I understood what was so terrible about the parents.
August 9, 2018
A thoughtful, haunting horror story all about sisters, never being able to go home again, and monsters, beautifully illustrated in a style that perfectly matches the tone of the writing. Can't wait for the second half of the story!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews