The residents of an isolated rural area discover superhuman and supernatural power in their midst. But the power stops at the county line. Inside the afflicted area, something ancient and malevolent stirs and new monsters arise... The series concentrates on young Wyatt, an unlikely hero from the wrong side of the tracks as well as Sheriff Morgan (and his odd past) and town outcast Amanda. They'll have to combine their efforts to keep the county from imploding...or being eaten by mighty Cthulhu.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
There is a school of thought that argues that if you put two sets of clichés together, you can get something fun out of it. In the case of this graphic novel, one set belongs to "everybody's turning into Lovecraftian monsters" horror stories, and the other set belongs to "hayseeds are wacky" comedy; putting them together yields a story about a plague of hideous transformations that hits backwoodsy Conover County until a scrappy, skinny blond fellow and an irritable young woman with a big scythe dispatch it. Unfortunately, Williams' story is top-heavy with overwrought narration ("If'n a clan can be said t' be tied to a patch of ground, the Atterhulls' patch is th' one with double-wides an' beer cans") and far too many characters, and never quite finds its plot, pace or tone-is it Grand Guignol horror about the county's sins finding it out? Ghostbusters-style comedy about reluctant champions beating back the supernatural? An adventure story about a by-the-book heroic journey? Fortunately, Staples' artwork is consistently eye-catching; she steps up to the plate with some effectively grotesque zombies and tentacle-beasts, and keeps the story moving even when it doesn't make much sense.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Aaron Williams is an accomplished independent comics writer responsible for the acclaimed gamer comic Nodwick and the acclaimed all-ages comic PS 238. Fiona Staples had been pencilling and inking in the indie scene, before her first foray into the superhero genre with Secret History of the Authority.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
North 40 is a graphic novel compilation of a self contained series of the same name, published by Wildstorm Productions, an imprint of DC comics. I completely missed these on their original release in 2009-2010. The creative team was writer Aaron Williams, art Fiona Staples and letters Rob Leigh. List price is $17.99 for a 144 page book, but Amazon discounts to $12.99, eligible for free shipping if you order > $25 worth of stuff (may I suggest adding The Courtyard by Alan Moore and Only the End of the World Again by Neil Gaiman as a nice Lovecraftian combination package?). In all respects it is a handsome production.
Welcome to the incredibly tedious town of Lufton. Our story begins with Robert and Dyan, a couple of misfits, reading from a book from the restricted section of the library at Vidette U (of course, not too restricted or we could never kick start the plot, right?). Unfortunately for everyone concerned, even the simple act of reading the text allows a tentacled thing to manifest and spread its influence across the entire county. We then meet some other principle characters: Sherriff Morgan, Wyatt, Amanda, Luanne. Suddenly everyone is overwhelmed by some sort of noxious miasma and about this time absolute mayhem grips the community as everyone awakens from unsettling dreams at 6:33 AM the next morning. Some residents of Conover County have transformed into horrible hybrids of humanity and monstrous things, and busy themselves devouring or dismembering anyone they encounter. Of course any semblance of a plot is just that; what follows is a series of very loosely linked vignettes, where horror piles on top of horror. We more or less follow the adventures of our protagonists. Wyatt, an outsider with a loser for a father escapes several close calls, Amanda meets a witch who puts her on the path of destiny to save the world, Sherriff Morgan proves remarkably resolute and Luanne has some sort of second sight. A big dance is planned at the high school and whoever shows up probably won't like what's on the menu. Dyan periodically shows up trying to induce further carnage while Robert was just a harmless geek and his been exerting his influence to stop Cthulhu's aura from spreading beyond the borders of the county. It turns out all of our new friends have an important part to play, trying to prevent Cthulhu from rising again. The witch and the sheriff know each other from way back, and each chooses a protégé to help out (Amanda and Wyatt). If it sounds a bit confused, it's because it is.
I really liked this book but don't expect a very tight plot like Fall of Cthulhu from Boom Studios. Mostly the story is an excuse for some pretty ghoulish goings on, each no more than a page or two. What makes it a really terrific read is the snappy dialogue, which was quite fun, and the outstanding art by Fiona Staples. Everything is amazingly attractive to look at. I can't really choose a favorite panel but the image of Cthulhu and the baby with bulldog ant pincers were both quite effective. Eventually the world is somewhat saved but Dyan and Robert are still in the aether, working at cross purposes, and the door is open for potential sequels. North 40 is entertaining Cthulhu mythos eye candy, just about perfect if you don't tax your brain too much by thinking about it very hard.
Welcome to the incredibly tedious town of Lufton. Our story begins with Robert and Dyan, a couple of misfits, reading from a book from the restricted section of the library at Vidette U (of course, not too restricted or we could never kick start the plot, right?). Unfortunately for everyone concerned, even the simple act of reading the text allows a tentacled thing to manifest and spread its influence across the entire county. We then meet some other principle characters: Sherriff Morgan, Wyatt, Amanda, Luanne. Suddenly everyone is overwhelmed by some sort of noxious miasma and about this time absolute mayhem grips the community as everyone awakens from unsettling dreams at 6:33 AM the next morning. Some residents of Conover County have transformed into horrible hybrids of humanity and monstrous things, and busy themselves devouring or dismembering anyone they encounter. Of course any semblance of a plot is just that; what follows is a series of very loosely linked vignettes, where horror piles on top of horror. We more or less follow the adventures of our protagonists. Wyatt, an outsider with a loser for a father escapes several close calls, Amanda meets a witch who puts her on the path of destiny to save the world, Sherriff Morgan proves remarkably resolute and Luanne has some sort of second sight. A big dance is planned at the high school and whoever shows up probably won't like what's on the menu. Dyan periodically shows up trying to induce further carnage while Robert was just a harmless geek and his been exerting his influence to stop Cthulhu's aura from spreading beyond the borders of the county. It turns out all of our new friends have an important part to play, trying to prevent Cthulhu from rising again. The witch and the sheriff know each other from way back, and each chooses a protégé to help out (Amanda and Wyatt). If it sounds a bit confused, it's because it is.
I really liked this book but don't expect a very tight plot like Fall of Cthulhu from Boom Studios. Mostly the story is an excuse for some pretty ghoulish goings on, each no more than a page or two. What makes it a really terrific read is the snappy dialogue, which was quite fun, and the outstanding art by Fiona Staples. Everything is amazingly attractive to look at. I can't really choose a favorite panel but the image of Cthulhu and the baby with bulldog ant pincers were both quite effective. Eventually the world is somewhat saved but Dyan and Robert are still in the aether, working at cross purposes, and the door is open for potential sequels. North 40 is entertaining Cthulhu mythos eye candy, just about perfect if you don't tax your brain too much by thinking about it very hard.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Balrog7
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Do you like that squid guy, Cthulu or something like that?
I happen to think Lovecraft was a hack, but North 40 is so well written and paced I couldn't put it down.
Don't expect to be frighted, comics don't achieve that very well. What you can expect is good art, dialogue, and pacing.
I'm just sorry there is yet to be a sequel.
I happen to think Lovecraft was a hack, but North 40 is so well written and paced I couldn't put it down.
Don't expect to be frighted, comics don't achieve that very well. What you can expect is good art, dialogue, and pacing.
I'm just sorry there is yet to be a sequel.
By Trevor
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a seriously creepy tale, with echoes of Preacher but with a fantastic art style all of its own. Be sure to check out the other books that Fiona Staples has worked on.
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