Writer: Keith Giffen
Artist: Hans Rodionoff
Vertigo, 2004
Well, this was disappointing.
Supposedly based on a screenplay, this is yet another tired variation of the “what if Lovecraft was writing about things that really existed?” It takes a lot to make that old concept new and you won’t find it here.
I probably know more about Lovecraft than most and I can safely say that HPL would be appalled by this book. Not just the idea that he was writing about real monsters, but the sexual episodes and quasi-erotic overtones would certainly not have sat well with the Gentleman from Providence. In truth, I could have forgiven such excess if there happened to be a story here worth reading. Giffen’s writing is unconvincing and I am not impressed by the art.
Now I was justified in not reading this for so long and hopefully can forget that I have. If I want to read a far more enjoyable book with Lovecraft as a character, I’d go read Peter Cannon’s excellent PULPTIME.
(Read 2/21/14)
Rating (1-5):
2. The story is sometimes embarrassing in its banality. If you like Lovecraft, spare yourself this pain.