(Courtesy of The Eyrie)
Malevolents – Click Click writer Thom Burgess and artist Barney Bodoano bring you The Eyrie, a fresh ghost story sure to send shivers and delight fans of short-form horror.
When Rebecca, a freelance photographer, is sent to rural Sussex for a job, she quickly discovers something isn’t right about this sleepy coastal town. As she learns more about the legend of The Long Men that haunt the area, Rebecca realizes she must escape Sussex before it’s too late.
Here 5 reasons to read The Eyrie!
5) A Unique Ghost Story That Feels Like A Classic!
Burgess expertly demonstrates the style and structure that makes a memorable ghost story. Rebecca is a stand-in for the audience: we learn about the legend of The Long Men along side her and feel her fear grow between every panel. The random spooks and creepy atmosphere slowly intensify until the fated local old timer shows up to explain what haunts Rebecca and why; it all comes together and becomes clear in a really satisfying and familiar way.
4) It Feels Like An Illustrated CreepyPasta!
Fans of horror microfiction will love the brisk pace and one-and-done narrative that The Eyrie offers. Burgess and Bodoano have created a meme-able monster with a compelling origin story reminiscent of modern genre mascot Slender Man. The Eyrie scratches that CreepyPasta itch by engaging our natural draw to folklore and telling a self-contained story in less than 50 pages.
3) An Unforgettable Monster Reveal!
Veiled in shadows, Rebecca is haunted by the inhuman silhouettes of The Long Men for days on end until she is practically driven mad. It isn’t until she is told the legend of The Long Men that she finally comes face to face with the monster. Trust me when I tell you it’s worth the wait, because Bodoano’s startling illustrations of these creatures is something to behold.
2) Bodoano’s Style Is A Perfect Fit
Summer campers and young horror enthusiasts will remember the nightmarish illustrations from Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. If you’re still haunted by Stephen Gammel’s ghost and ghouls from your childhood you’ll find a lot to love in Bodoano’s expressionistic style. The claustrophobic panels and attention to shadows and shading give his simple-on-the-surface pencils a ton of depth. The entire book is beautifully hideous and his kinetic, chaotic style will keep you on edge.
1) These Guys Get Horror!
Thom Burgess and Barney Bodoano are my favorite kind of creators. These guys are students of horror and visual storytelling. Thom’s script takes the structure and format of the ghost story and nails it at every turn. It’s clear to see these guys love folklore and the power that stories have to excite and dismay. The Eyrie is equal parts cinematic and literary and honors the oral tradition to tell the perfect campfire story. Burgess and Bodoano know their genre and play up every convention and trope masterfully.
Rating:
3 out of 4 emojis
The Eyrie is available at theeyrie.bigcartel.com! You can follow Thom and Barney on Twitter at @Malevolents and @BarneyBodoano respectively.