"Comics That Leave a Lasting Impression" Part II

I. Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey is a haunting and emotionally resonant graphic novel that delves into the themes of regret, memory, and the consequences of letting go. The story centers around Florence, a young and talented ice skater who is crumbling under the immense pressure of her sport. Overwhelmed by frustration and the weight of expectations, she makes a fateful decision to discard her skates—an act that, unbeknownst to her, sets off a chain of supernatural events.

Florence’s skates, imbued with the significance of her dreams, ambitions, and identity, hold a deep emotional resonance. By throwing them away in a moment of despair, she unintentionally summons a junkwraith—a vengeful spirit born from the discarded object. This malevolent entity isn’t just any ghost; it feeds on the memories and emotions tied to the abandoned item. As the junkwraith begins its sinister work, it starts to erode Florence’s memories, slowly stripping away the very essence of who she is.

The story unfolds as Florence embarks on a desperate journey to reclaim her lost memories and confront the wraith she inadvertently created. This quest is not only about recovering what was lost but also about understanding the deep emotional turmoil that led her to discard something so significant. Florence must confront her fears, her past, and the expectations that have been placed upon her to stop the junkwraith from consuming all of her memories.

As she delves deeper into this surreal and often nightmarish world, Florence encounters a variety of strange and symbolic characters, each reflecting different aspects of her psyche and her journey. These encounters challenge her understanding of herself and force her to confront the pain and pressure that led to her initial act of rejection.

Richey’s storytelling is both visually and thematically rich, with the artwork enhancing the eerie and otherworldly atmosphere of Florence’s journey. The landscapes she travels through are surreal and haunting, mirroring the internal battle she faces. The junkwraith itself is a terrifying embodiment of regret and loss, a constant reminder of the consequences of abandoning one’s passions and the importance of facing one’s inner demons.

Junkwraith is a poignant exploration of the emotional weight we attach to our possessions, particularly those tied to our dreams and identities. It’s a tale of redemption, self-discovery, and the arduous process of confronting and overcoming the ghosts of our past. Through Florence’s journey, Richey crafts a powerful narrative about the dangers of letting go of what defines us and the importance of reclaiming our sense of self before it’s too late.

II. Devour by Jazmine Joyner and Anthony Pugh is a haunting and powerful tale that weaves together themes of memory, heritage, and the supernatural. At its heart is Vassie, a woman once known for her strength and unwavering dedication to protecting her community. Vassie stands as the last in a long and proud lineage of Black women who have served as the guardians of their people, wielding a unique and ancient power passed down through generations.

However, Vassie's once formidable presence is now shadowed by the cruel onset of memory loss. The formidable protector who once safeguarded her community is now vulnerable, her mind unraveling as the memories that once defined her begin to fade. As Vassie’s condition worsens, her family is called back to their roots in Alabama, drawn together by their love and concern for the matriarch who once held them all together.

Upon returning, the family is confronted with the reality of Vassie's deteriorating condition, but what they initially believe to be a natural decline due to age soon reveals itself to be something far more sinister. As they dig deeper into the mystery of Vassie’s memory loss, they uncover a dark and potent magic at work—one that is connected to the very powers that Vassie and her ancestors wielded to protect their community.

This revelation thrusts the family into a battle against forces they never imagined existed. The magic they face is ancient, powerful, and far beyond their comprehension, challenging everything they thought they knew about their heritage and the legacy of protection Vassie upheld. As they struggle to understand and combat this malevolent force, they are forced to confront their own fears, doubts, and the weight of their familial legacy.

The narrative is deeply rooted in the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of the Black community in the American South. Joyner and Pugh explore the complexities of family bonds, the transmission of knowledge and power across generations, and the devastating impact of losing one’s memories—both personal and cultural.

Devour is more than just a supernatural thriller; it’s a story about the resilience of a family, the enduring strength of Black women, and the hidden dangers that come with the loss of memory and identity. The authors craft a tale that is both eerie and deeply moving, using the supernatural elements to underscore the real-world fears and challenges faced by those grappling with memory loss and the erosion of cultural history.

As the family rallies to save Vassie and protect the legacy she has spent a lifetime preserving, they must also come to terms with their own roles in the ongoing fight against the dark forces that threaten to consume not just Vassie, but the very soul of their community. Devour is a gripping and poignant exploration of the ties that bind us to our past, and the lengths we will go to protect those we love.