I found Glose (an online reading source) by accident and noticed they had a few free titles, but most must be purchased. With online content, frankly, I am not a fan of buying. Therefore, I hunted around to find any free content. Most of that was classical stories (not a bad deal honestly, as it’s a great way to expand my reading of the classics) but I was able to get a few free contemporary books as a signing up deal. While looking in graphic novels section I finally found a free one called Carnival of Souls: Graphic Novel by Jazan Wild. I had no idea who this person is, but after reading this, I know they are one REALLY messed up person!
This horror, mystery, thriller, WHAT THE FLYING KANGAROOS did I just read graphic novel/comic is not for everyone. It can be a bit fractured in places, has alternative endings in the bonus material, and had its second/third parts mixed in (I’m not sure if this was everything that was created or there is more, but it does end with a closed open ending. Yes, there are contradictions everyplace and that is perfectly fine). With an old school feel, we meet a Tarzan character called Jazan Wild, if he was in the middle of Hell. Traditional art and the perfect horror markers (freaky clowns, monsters, witches, devils, and children) come together. The bonus materials are perfect for the comic lover who is looking to find all the goods on the subject.
I was not a huge fan of this graphic novel/comic. However, I kept reading as it was fascinating. I could not walk away. It was like the proverbial “car wreck.” You know there will be horror and gore, and it is graphic, but it is there to show you the story and not “just because” the author wants to shock. Though does it shock! Boy does it ever! I was not always thrilled to see said violence/gore, and the images themselves (by Kevin Conrad, whom it seems is well-known in the graphic novel community) were less than pleasant, but truly fits the tone of the horribleness we are exposed to in the story. Some images could be most triggering as we see evil clowns who have lost their heads, beheadings (how said clown found himself in his situation), animals killed and displayed, men eviscerated and more. Did I mention things are not always pleasant?
The 1950’s-1960’s tone of the illustrations and even the story (though that falls into a 1970’s tone as well) comes together for the 2000’s mentality. The classic and modern collide into this creature. Wild and Conrad are Dr. Frankenstein bringing to life a monster that I do not feel they are always in control of but it is an adventure to watch.