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Bitter Root #1-3
Bitter Root Omnibus
For generations the Sangerye family has fought to protect the world from the evil plague of the jinoo—hideous creatures born out of hate and racism. But now the family must face an even greater evil that has arisen to destroy humanity, and threatens to rip the family apart.
BITTER ROOT #1-15, BITTER ROOT Red Summer Special
BITTER ROOT #1-15, BITTER ROOT Red Summer Special
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2023
35 people are currently reading
243 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 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 9, 2023
I originally read this as single volumes and it was just as amazing reading it in this lovely omnibus edition. If you haven't had the chance to read Bitter Root yet, you're definitely missing out.
January 13, 2024
3.5/5
Bitter Root takes place during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. It combines steam punk, magic and history and revolves around the Sangerye family and their crusade against evil. Sangerye family’s members don’t always agree on how to deal with their demonic prey (to kill or to heal?).
Ma Etta, the matriarch, believes in the possibility of curing humans possessed by evil. On the other hand, more militant members like Ford argue that the only solution is to purge the possessed from existence. While Etta and Ford remain steadfast in their beliefs, the younger trio – Blink, Berg, and Cullen – grapple with finding their own stance within the family business.
Anyway, the Sangerye use a mixture of science and mysticism to cleanse souls turned monstrous by hate or racism. I appreciated how the story tackled social issues (racism, discrimination, family ties) without sacrificing breakneck pacing and intriguing storyline.
The artwork by Sanford Greene is stunning. I like vibrant colors and dynamic illustrations, and got lots of those here. The art brings the world to life, and captures the energy and intensity of the supernatural battles and the era. On the flip side, some panels felt overstuffed.
While I generally appreciate fast pacing, there were instances where the narrative felt rushed. Now, Bitter Root has earned two Eisner awards, a clear proof of itsquality.
Personally, the second half lost me with its intensity, pacing, and densely filled panels, but your experience might differ – it's definitely worth checking out for yourself.
Bitter Root takes place during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. It combines steam punk, magic and history and revolves around the Sangerye family and their crusade against evil. Sangerye family’s members don’t always agree on how to deal with their demonic prey (to kill or to heal?).
Ma Etta, the matriarch, believes in the possibility of curing humans possessed by evil. On the other hand, more militant members like Ford argue that the only solution is to purge the possessed from existence. While Etta and Ford remain steadfast in their beliefs, the younger trio – Blink, Berg, and Cullen – grapple with finding their own stance within the family business.
Anyway, the Sangerye use a mixture of science and mysticism to cleanse souls turned monstrous by hate or racism. I appreciated how the story tackled social issues (racism, discrimination, family ties) without sacrificing breakneck pacing and intriguing storyline.
The artwork by Sanford Greene is stunning. I like vibrant colors and dynamic illustrations, and got lots of those here. The art brings the world to life, and captures the energy and intensity of the supernatural battles and the era. On the flip side, some panels felt overstuffed.
While I generally appreciate fast pacing, there were instances where the narrative felt rushed. Now, Bitter Root has earned two Eisner awards, a clear proof of itsquality.
Personally, the second half lost me with its intensity, pacing, and densely filled panels, but your experience might differ – it's definitely worth checking out for yourself.
May 31, 2024
An interesting read with some expectedly fascinating illustrations.
August 4, 2024
3.5 stars. The last leg of the book lost me as I couldn’t keep up with the constant time jumps and the plot started to get a bit confusing. Still a great sci-fi, horror, Black excellence read! Sanford Greene’s artwork is spectacular!
June 12, 2023
New to the collection and just finished, Bitter Root by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown and Sanford Greene.
This gorgeous and huge hardcover contains the first 15 issues and the Red Summer special and follows the Sangerye family. The Sangerye battle the Jinoo, a hideous creature born out of hate and racism. This is a mix of sciencefiction and horror, mixed with fantasy elements, think Ghostbusters meets Killadelphia. At the core its about the years and years of mistreatment of the Black community. And as this story is set in the 1920s it deals with segregation, the sundown towns and the terrible things that happenend in Tulsa in 1921. Its sounds like a very hard read, but Walker and Brown keep it lighthearted most of the time. Nearing the end it gets a bit confusing with alot of time hoping but this is a cool one. The artwork is outstanding and original, and the use of color is amazing. Also included are many essays and extra's, this is a really well put together graphic novel.
3.5 stars
This gorgeous and huge hardcover contains the first 15 issues and the Red Summer special and follows the Sangerye family. The Sangerye battle the Jinoo, a hideous creature born out of hate and racism. This is a mix of sciencefiction and horror, mixed with fantasy elements, think Ghostbusters meets Killadelphia. At the core its about the years and years of mistreatment of the Black community. And as this story is set in the 1920s it deals with segregation, the sundown towns and the terrible things that happenend in Tulsa in 1921. Its sounds like a very hard read, but Walker and Brown keep it lighthearted most of the time. Nearing the end it gets a bit confusing with alot of time hoping but this is a cool one. The artwork is outstanding and original, and the use of color is amazing. Also included are many essays and extra's, this is a really well put together graphic novel.
3.5 stars
July 26, 2023
Woooooooww ! A story of family trying to stick together in the 1920’s fighting monsters born out of hate, racism, unforgiveness, intolerance and more. The writers basically gave each of those infirmities teeth and a body haha. I enjoyed mix fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, with a hint of LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, KILLADEPHIA, and some Ghostbusters elements put together in the story. I fell in love with alot of the characters in this family especially “Ma’Etta”. You get so much backstory about them as well. There is time jumps which can be confusing at times so I’m definitely gonna be re-reading this again soon. I also really enjoyed the message behind this story: which to me seeing how each of these families that black, white, Asian, etc, coming together to face this monster (hate, racism), etc, the world would be a much happier place. David Walker & Chuck Brown: Amazing writing. And Sanford Greene’s artwork was on point. Well done. Looking forward to more.
February 22, 2024
4.5 stars!
May 28, 2025
A fun trip into sci-fi and fantasy with an African American lense. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, although some of the aspects of this fantastical world could have been explained further
May 14, 2023
Think ghostbusters, a black family, 1920’s, except the monsters that they are exterminating are poisoned with racism.
The End.
Mediocre character development, the entire holocaust shit in the end was confusing, below average writing. Cool idea, poor execution.
The End.
Mediocre character development, the entire holocaust shit in the end was confusing, below average writing. Cool idea, poor execution.
February 16, 2025
Not enough stars. What a great find! Enormously enjoyed this comic. The story is amazing, loved all the flashbacks and forwards, as well as the travel through several parallel universes. The dark lore and all their monsters… very Lovecraftian! The character development is superb, all the intertwining stories from the Sangerye family and all their complementary talents. On top of that, this omnibus edition is a beauty, and all the stories from different invited scholars have made me learn a lot. A re read will follow shortly. Super recommend.
maybe-to-read
March 24, 2023***WHY A MAYBE***
I have trouble reading about generational trauma and racisme. Still, I was watching an overview of this book and the person talking mentioned hope. I do like hopeful stories.
***WHO SUCKED ME IN***
Omar of Near Mint Condition on YouTube in their Bitter Root Hardcover Omnibus Overview! published 10 (?) maart 2023
I have trouble reading about generational trauma and racisme. Still, I was watching an overview of this book and the person talking mentioned hope. I do like hopeful stories.
***WHO SUCKED ME IN***
Omar of Near Mint Condition on YouTube in their Bitter Root Hardcover Omnibus Overview! published 10 (?) maart 2023
March 1, 2024
4.75 stars rounded up to 5 - This whole series is incredible. The world-building is masterfully done, in the way it melds together the style and culture of the 1920s with timeless themes, exploring the battle between dark and light forces and how hatred, racism, and grief can transform a person. In this series, the darkest parts of one's soul, the suffering stuck there, literally turns them into monsters, and the story centers on one family that has fought these monsters for generations, for the sake of humanity. Sometimes the goal is to cure the human beneath the monster and sometimes there is no choice but to kill them. The characters are often wrestling with these ideas, and some of the key characters experience profound changes as their own inner demons and doubts transform them and they search for a "cure" or simply just a way out of the torturous pain of watching humanity crumble.
The illustrations were incredible and by far my favorite part, because it just felt so real, vibrant and tactile, you could almost hear some panels. Many of the splash pages were stunning and captured the energy and action of the story. This omnibus is full of variant covers and artwork adaptations that are so much fun to flip through.
The reason this is nearly 5 stars for me is because, while I love this series and know I'll be thinking about it for a long time, the pacing sometimes was a little off for me, and even the very end felt so rushed that I felt like I didn't actually 'see' the conflict resolved. No spoilers, but it reminds me of watching a movie where you don't get a clear shot of the bad guy getting taken out, and instead one of the main characters just says "the job is done" and you just take their word for it. I think this series could have been longer, with some storylines more fleshed out and a bit more action incorporated into the final events. With that being said, I loved all the characters, especially the little squeaky animals with robotic limbs. The significance of this story, especially for any non-white audience or anyone who wants to combat supremacist hatred and darkness, is so clear and it brings so many topics and issues to the forefront. There is just so much to discuss and talk about here, much that ties into our current-world problems without feeling overly meta. The bonds between the characters are tender and deep, and the Sangerye family (and the idea of family), as a whole, becomes the true hero.
This omnibus contains about 50+ pgs of essays written on afrofuturism, conjurework, monster horror, and other themes in black media - I read some of these which were great, but once I finished the actual comic series, I wanted to mark this as finished so I could debrief, then take my time with the essays.
The illustrations were incredible and by far my favorite part, because it just felt so real, vibrant and tactile, you could almost hear some panels. Many of the splash pages were stunning and captured the energy and action of the story. This omnibus is full of variant covers and artwork adaptations that are so much fun to flip through.
The reason this is nearly 5 stars for me is because, while I love this series and know I'll be thinking about it for a long time, the pacing sometimes was a little off for me, and even the very end felt so rushed that I felt like I didn't actually 'see' the conflict resolved. No spoilers, but it reminds me of watching a movie where you don't get a clear shot of the bad guy getting taken out, and instead one of the main characters just says "the job is done" and you just take their word for it. I think this series could have been longer, with some storylines more fleshed out and a bit more action incorporated into the final events. With that being said, I loved all the characters, especially the little squeaky animals with robotic limbs. The significance of this story, especially for any non-white audience or anyone who wants to combat supremacist hatred and darkness, is so clear and it brings so many topics and issues to the forefront. There is just so much to discuss and talk about here, much that ties into our current-world problems without feeling overly meta. The bonds between the characters are tender and deep, and the Sangerye family (and the idea of family), as a whole, becomes the true hero.
This omnibus contains about 50+ pgs of essays written on afrofuturism, conjurework, monster horror, and other themes in black media - I read some of these which were great, but once I finished the actual comic series, I wanted to mark this as finished so I could debrief, then take my time with the essays.
July 27, 2025
Bitter Root Omnibus does what it needs to—blending horror, history, & social commentary in a way that's fresh & intriguing. It's like a mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lovecraft Country, & Supernatural, with a unique cultural spin grounded in Black history & American history.
That said, the constant time jumps had me feeling disoriented. The back-&-forth through time was more frustrating than engaging, making it hard to keep track of the plot. While I get the sense this is setting up a follow-up series, it left me with more confusion than clarity.
The long passages between issues? Honestly, after the first 5 or 6, I started skipping them. They felt more like interruptions than meaningful additions—better suited for placement at the end of the book.
Character development also felt lacking. The potential was there, but I wanted more depth, especially with the intriguing world the story sets up. Maybe that's a high bar for a graphic novel, but the story's complexity made me crave more from its characters.
Despite these issues, Bitter Root inspired me to dive into Shock SuspenStories from the 1950s, which is a testament to its influence. It's a bit of a mixed bag—ambitious, with moments of brilliance, but structurally uneven. Still worth checking out if you're into layered, socially conscious horror rooted in Black & American history.
That said, the constant time jumps had me feeling disoriented. The back-&-forth through time was more frustrating than engaging, making it hard to keep track of the plot. While I get the sense this is setting up a follow-up series, it left me with more confusion than clarity.
The long passages between issues? Honestly, after the first 5 or 6, I started skipping them. They felt more like interruptions than meaningful additions—better suited for placement at the end of the book.
Character development also felt lacking. The potential was there, but I wanted more depth, especially with the intriguing world the story sets up. Maybe that's a high bar for a graphic novel, but the story's complexity made me crave more from its characters.
Despite these issues, Bitter Root inspired me to dive into Shock SuspenStories from the 1950s, which is a testament to its influence. It's a bit of a mixed bag—ambitious, with moments of brilliance, but structurally uneven. Still worth checking out if you're into layered, socially conscious horror rooted in Black & American history.
May 29, 2024
I wanted to like this. Walker and Greene's Power Man and Iron Fist run was one of my favorite things Marvel was publishing at the time. Maybe they need an editor.
In the early 20th Century, the Sangerye family is fighting Jinoo, monsters created by corrupted souls, which only happens to white people. Without giving us time to get to know the world, they immediately encounter something new, which they don't know how to deal with. This leads down a path of learning there's more to fight than just Jinoo.
I would have liked the series to explain root magic. There are essays in the back, but if I need to read the supplemental material for the story to make sense, then it's not really supplemental. In the beginning, the characters are visually distinct, but different characters become the focus and they look similar. The story suffered from pacing issues. I appreciate the level of detail Sanford Greene puts into the art, but at the same time it feels too busy. I kept thinking that if this were paced like Hellboy, it would be better.
In the early 20th Century, the Sangerye family is fighting Jinoo, monsters created by corrupted souls, which only happens to white people. Without giving us time to get to know the world, they immediately encounter something new, which they don't know how to deal with. This leads down a path of learning there's more to fight than just Jinoo.
I would have liked the series to explain root magic. There are essays in the back, but if I need to read the supplemental material for the story to make sense, then it's not really supplemental. In the beginning, the characters are visually distinct, but different characters become the focus and they look similar. The story suffered from pacing issues. I appreciate the level of detail Sanford Greene puts into the art, but at the same time it feels too busy. I kept thinking that if this were paced like Hellboy, it would be better.
November 16, 2025
Really fun and dynamic "conjurepunk" comics about a family of Black demon hunters in 1920s Harlem. The cast of characters are great, especially sesquipedalian man-mountain Berg and mad scientist type Dr. Sylvester. Given that it's a series about human hatred and grief transforming them into demons, Walker et al. have a lot to say about the intertwining of racialised trauma and emotion, and how they are woven into American culture. They also have a lot to say about how cool it is to do martial arts with a big hammer and a glowing syringe while battling the forces of evil. And of course the whole series revolves around its central family and their relationships with each other and with the Work that must be done. This omnibus edition contains at least a hundred extra pages of short essays and interviews covering topics like Black SFF, the work of Zora Neale Hurston, the racist legacy of HP Lovecraft, and how many other works Bitter Root is in conversation with. I had a great time with this, and will definitely be checking out the sequel series!
July 16, 2024
This one had a really strong start but the story lost me in the second half. I was also having a lot of trouble figuring out what in the world was going on during the fight scenes—the panels, although gorgeous, were almost indecipherable. I found myself staring at panels for a long time to try to figure out what was happening and that really affects my enjoyment of a comic book. Also the story got rushed toward the second half and started using odd time jumps that did not serve the story at all. The first half was really engaging and a joy to read and the second half felt like a chore. Still, I appreciated the art and the concept and enjoyed the breath of characters developed.
December 29, 2024
More like 3.5 stars, this was an enjoyable read. I took my time with it, which may have colored my experience. The artwork is so detailed and asks to be absorbed at a slower pace, I fell.
The story and setting provide a unique perspective on the darker side of humanity and those who fight against it. I loved how it spanned so many important eras in American, and especially Black American, history.
I will say the volume suffers a bit from pacing issues; the last few books seem to skip a lot to facilitate plot movement. I would have liked more explanation of some things. I think I’ll definitely seek out more of this series, however. I would definitely recommend this.
The story and setting provide a unique perspective on the darker side of humanity and those who fight against it. I loved how it spanned so many important eras in American, and especially Black American, history.
I will say the volume suffers a bit from pacing issues; the last few books seem to skip a lot to facilitate plot movement. I would have liked more explanation of some things. I think I’ll definitely seek out more of this series, however. I would definitely recommend this.
March 1, 2023
I am having some issues rating this.
On the basis of the ideas it is a 5 stars book, however I feel the execution could have been better.
The art is great but there are a few panels where the quality drops. Additionally I am not really keen on the amount of text that is used to remind us what happened in the previous pages, this was originally a monthly comic, there shouldn't be any need to do that in this medium...
But overall the is a great comic I recommend, I am just arguing it could have been even better...
On the basis of the ideas it is a 5 stars book, however I feel the execution could have been better.
The art is great but there are a few panels where the quality drops. Additionally I am not really keen on the amount of text that is used to remind us what happened in the previous pages, this was originally a monthly comic, there shouldn't be any need to do that in this medium...
But overall the is a great comic I recommend, I am just arguing it could have been even better...
October 22, 2023
beautiful hardcover omnibus that includes significant backmatter to detail and dissect this breakneck paced genre story that deals with the long term effects of hatred and being hated, how prejudice mars the souls of its perpetrators and victims. but that makes it sound no fun. and it is. brightly colored nonstop monster action that is everything you'd want from this kind of story while also giving you the caloric intake that you need for this to be MEANINGFUL.
January 10, 2024
I don't think I've read a graphic that uses color as effectively as this one does. Bitter Root is a story about the constant struggle against racism. The characters and conflicts are vividly realized, dripping in reds and blacks and browns and greens. Steampunk aesthetic mingles with fantastical realms and powers for a captivating experience.
June 30, 2023
This is as much an essay collection on Black cultural history as it is a collected comic. The series itself is fascinating, with deep lore and a truly epic scope, but the accompanying critical essays are worth the price of admission alone.
February 3, 2024
I loved the world and the vibe of this - a mash up of steam punk, Harlem Renaissance, demons and root magic. The ensemble cast was sometimes a bit hard to sort, but most of them were interesting when they got little snippets of the storyline.
May 15, 2024
I absolutely loved reading this story, as well as the essays/interviews/etc included into between each story arc, which provided historical and cultural context for the concepts utilized in the comics. I highly recommend this omnibus.
September 20, 2024
The art was gorgeous! The latter portion of the series kinda meandered. I’m hoping we get more because, if this was all we get, I’d be pretty disappointed in that we don’t get much closure out of this…which may have been the point all along…
March 12, 2025
I felt the pacing was great unlike the reviews I saw. The essays threaded within with old and new names — felt critical and moving.
I don’t want to critique / rate a book with such a powerful message, so it’s going to be a 5.
I don’t want to critique / rate a book with such a powerful message, so it’s going to be a 5.
August 29, 2023
Wasn’t sure what to expect but it was a beautiful metaphor about society
November 6, 2023
Story is great but to much characters and switch of time lines. Makes it very confusing
January 20, 2024
Storyline was top tier. The artwork was beyond amazing. What are great introduction to reading comic books.
February 1, 2024
Last arc was a mess. Lots of negleted, unexplored, unfinished threads. Poor character development and unsatisfactory ending. Amazing art and colors
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews