Appalachian folk magic and old school revenge will soon collide inMine is a Long, Lonesome GravefromOni Press. The four-issue miniseries, written by Justin Jordan and drawn by Chris Shehan, takes readers on a brutal, blood-soaked odyssey through the hills of West Virginia, as a man tries to shake a curse. The book will be hitting streets in February, andScreenRantis pleased to present an exclusive first look.
Oni Press’Mine is a Long, Lonesome Gravetells the story of Harley Creed, an ex-convict who wants nothing more than to leave his hometown of Briar Falls, West Virginia for good. Oni’s solicitation for the first issue reads as follows:
Harley Creed is a bad man. He used to be worse. A violent ex-con with a string of brutal crimes in his past, he only wanted one thing when he finally walked free from prison: to leave Briar Falls, WV, behind and disappear forever. But Harley’s hometown has a strange way of swallowing people whole—call it a consequence of the low-level folk magic that has permeated its darker corners for generations. And now that Harley has returned, pent-up vengeance for his past crimes is about to come roaring back. Somebody has put a hex on him—and Harley has seven days before he dies in twisted, screaming agony.
To reverse it, Harley must find and kill his unseen enemy before their curse can reap its terrible end. But in Briar Falls, there’s no shortage of suspects—and Harley is coming for them all. If can’t have peace, at least he can have revenge.
The unlettered, black and white preview pages perfectly establish the dark and bleak world Harley inhabits. Readers see him lament past relationships,while also getting the first hint of the curse that now follows him.
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The Book’s Creators Are Bringing Much-Needed Authenticity toMine is a Long, Lonesome Grave
Mine is a Long, Lonesome Graveis the product of Justin Jordan and Chris Shehan. Jordan, who has been nominated for both the Harvey and the Eisner, broke through with titles such asDead Body Road. Artist Shehan has genuine horror comic credentials too,having drawnHouse of Slaughterfrom Boom Studios. Both bring to the table extensive genre experience. Furthermore, writer Justin Jordan hails from the Appalachian region, and had this to say aboutMine is a Long, Lonesome Grave:
Getting to do a crime book that is also a horror book, my other favorite genre, has been awesome. And getting to set it in Appalachia, where I’m from, is just icing on the very brutal cake.
Meanwhile, Shehan said of the book:
Crime? Revenge? Witchcraft and Hexes? This is a book I was meant to draw
Mine is a Long, Lonesome Gravewill benefit from this excitement and authenticity.
This combination of age and ruggedness has given the Appalachian region a lure both crime and horror writers have found irresistible.
The Appalchian region is the perfect setting for a story of folk magic and revenge. Located in the eastern United States, the area is mountainous and large, encompassing several states. The Appalchian mountains are also some of the oldest land features on Earth. Scientists speculate the Appalachian mountains are so old they predate the rings of Saturn and perhaps even life as we know it. Areas of the Appalchian mountains are rugged as well, making accessing them difficult. This combination of age and ruggedness has given the Appalachian region a lure both crime and horror writers have found irresistible.
Mine is a Long, Lonesome Grave is Another Reason To Follow Oni Press
Mine is a Long, Lonesome GraveIs a Win for Representation
And now Jordan and Shehan are mining this vein inMine is a Long, Lonesome Grave. The book mixes genres, moving from revenge story to family drama to eldritch horror, and that is just in the span of the preview pages provided. Thoughtful depictions of Appalachian life are few and far between, and this book looks to be just that. Horror comics are as popular as they ever have been, andOni Press’Mine is a Long, Lonesome Graveis set to be the next great entry into the canon.
Mine is a Long, Lonesome Grave#1is on sale in February from Oni Press.
