Staff Pick
The Sangeryes are a family of monster hunters who live in Harlem in the 1920s. The family seems to be getting smaller while the monsters are getting stronger. This story does a great job of balancing action and energy with heavy themes like racism and family dynamics. I can't decide what I like better: the art or the story. Good thing I don't have to choose. Recommended By Rose H., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Once known as the greatest monster hunters of all time, the Sangerye family specialized in curing the souls of those infected by hate, but those days are fading. A terrible tragedy has claimed most of the family, leaving the surviving cousins split between curing monsters and killing them. Now, with a new breed of monster loose on the streets of Harlem, the Sangerye family must come together, or watch the human race fall to untold evil.
Collects BITTER ROOT #1-5
Review
"Historical fiction mixes with supernatural horror, producing a hybrid fantasy world of voodoo spells, mad science, monster Klansmen, and Jazz Age demon hunters wielding steampunk versions of Ghostbusters proton packs.... Comics fans will look forward to future volumes of this energetic dark fantasy that effectively mixes thrills and scares." Publishers Weekly
Review
"Relentless action...a kinetic style that makes good use of 1920s period details to anchor the story, which develops slowly before kicking into high gear halfway through and concluding on a legitimately exciting cliff-hanger." Library Journal
Review
“Puts a monstrous face on bigotry and a beautiful new spin on the Harlem Renaissance.” The Onion's AV Club
Review
“A comic that's confident in itself and doesn't need to rely on overwrought high-concept themes. Bitter Root isn't afraid to tackle weighty issues while still having some fun, giving us some new heroes that are much needed in today's world.” ComicBook.com
About the Author
David F. Walker is a comic book writer, filmmaker, and educator. He has worked for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Boom, Dynamite, and Image. He teaches at Portland State University.
Chuck Brown has written The Punisher and Black Panther comics for Marvel. He is the writer and co-creator of Rotten Apple for Dark Horse Comics and the writer and co-creator of Bitter Root, which will debut in 2018 from Image Comics. He has been self-publishing for more than 18 years and has written comics for Zenescope Entertainment, 12-Gauge Comics, and Line Webtoon.
Sanford Greene has worked professionally in comic illustration and related industries for over 15 years, including work for mainline publishers such as Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, and Image Comics. Recent work includes the hit Marvel series Power Man and Iron Fist as well as covers for Black Panther and Luke Cage. He currently works on his creator-owned online comic series for Line Webtoon, 1000, and the anticipated Bitter Root, a dark fantasy/action ongoing series published by Image Comics and set during the Harlem Renaissance.