#jinoo

Nine issues in, I can safely say that Bitter Root is a top tier comic that Image is producing and I want to do my part to spread awareness about it. The premise is as follows:

In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance is in full swing, and only the Sangerye Family can save New York-and the world-from the supernatural forces threatening to destroy humanity. But the once-great family of monster hunters has been torn apart by tragedies and conflicting moral codes. The Sangerye Family must heal the wounds of the past and move beyond their differences… or sit back and watch a force of unimaginable evil ravage the human race.

Essentially, think the Black-American, steampunk Belmont family of 1920’s Harlem.

Unapologetically Black yet has a message and story to tell that is as enjoyable as it is profound; for every Tulsa, Oklahoma there’s a moment of levity and vindication such as telling off a Klansman in training.

The writing team of Chuck Brown and David F. Walker truly capture and explore upon a setting that is very rarely touched on in history, particularly from this perspective. While I did feel lukewarm in terms of the first five issues based on an air of disjointedness and incohesion, when the one-shot – Bitter Root Red Summer Special #1 – came, it finally gave me that needed connective tissue that grounded the characters, gave them individualized goals, and expanded the world of Bitter Root in ways I didn’t even think about and or knew I wanted. The writers’ commentary and themes on anger, hate, grief, and sorrow resound very well without getting in the way of the overall story.

For example, the Sangerye’s are not the only monster fighting clan; there’s a multitude of different clans such as Indigenous American, Irish, Turkish, Japanese, Chinese, and Hispanic that patrol their own specific boroughs of New York as well as their sections of the country. All these are races, creeds, and nationalities that have been discriminated and disenfranchised against in American history and yet regardless of what they call it, they are serve a common goal – to fight the hate. I can’t wait to see them interact more with each other in future storylines; honestly, this element of the story reminds me of how the different Magic Knight squads of Black Clover deal with each other. Frankly, Image Comics is more palpable to Shōnen Jump than Marvel or DC and I would definitely call Bitter Root Image Comics’ Black Clover. 

In terms of the art, Sandford Greene’s art was serviceable, for the first five issues and while I initially thought that Khary Randolph should take over based on their illustrations in Red Summer Special, issue 6 is when the story and art finally came in synch for me. Greene’s art is very diverse in terms of functionality as carries a lighthearted, almost toyetic charm to it but, can quickly harness the dynamics of more horror aspects of the narrative when the story calls for it – the pages really thrive when darker colors like red and purple are contrasted with the glow of the green. Moreover, the outfits and weapons that have been created are going to make for some great toys (especially if McFarlane makes them) as well as great cosplay material for fans and Comic Con.

Character-wise, the majority of the Sangerye family are well-written providing the reader with great backstories, motivations for why they fight, individualizations of how they fight, as well as keen perspectives of their place and purpose within the family. In terms of favorites, mine is Cullen – he’s a slow burn but through succinct yet critical panels quickly becomes THE guy for me. I’d be remised if I didn’t mention my other favorites of Blink (a prodigy in combat that refuses to be limited to the “woman’s work” designated for her in the family), Ford (a character that CLEARLY takes inspiration from the X-Men Bishop, in the best ways possible), Sylvester (the definition of a tragic villain); and Adro (not too much on this character but the foreshadowing and little pieces we have seen have both intriguing and haunting).

One of the few complaints I have about the comic is that I wish the tools and weapons were given more weight, substance, and individuality in terms of them having names, explanations, particularized functions for how they work and operate.

Ultimately, this is a series that you all should be reading because it is – and in many ways – has already made it big. It’s no surprise that Ryan Coogler is going to produce the comic book series adaptation. Seriously guys, get it while it’s hot because when it goes; it’s gone.