“The Autumnal” (graphic novel)
Review by Dennis D. McDonald
Mike Flanagan could really make a great movie out of this story!
As much as I enjoy Steven King's stories, I'm not really a big horror fan. But I have to make an exception in the case of the graphic horror novel Autumnal.
The entire package of the story is inherently creepy, despite its reliance on basic horror tropes (small town that's not quite as idyllic as it appears; mom trying to escape from our big city memories with her kid; people obviously hiding a nasty dark secret from the past; etc.)
What makes it work are the dramatic writing, stunning artwork, and amazing color. The story flows. Despite a few too many characters for all to be treated adequately, the main story and the central characters resonate effectively and realistically.
The further I got into the story, the more I thought, "Mike Flanagan could really make a hell of a movie out of this story!"
Knowledgeable horror fans might find a lot of this too recognizable. Readers seeking a more stable or realistic story might find its focus on the supernatural unconvincing. But I liked it. I'd like to find more stories done with such care and attention to character, detail, and imagery.
Review copyright 2025 by Dennis D. McDonald.
