Ink and Riffs is a regular review series written by me, Citywide Co-Host Max Bowen, to talk about what I’m reading and listening to and why I think it’s awesome. Feel free to send suggestions to citywidemax@yahoo.com.
Proctor Valley Road (comic) — What to do when you just gotta have those Janis Joplin tickets? Well, charging for a trip down a supposedly haunted road seems like a good idea….just so long as it’s not actually haunted.
Writers Grant Morrison (Klaus), Alex Child (BBC’s Holby City) and artist Naomi Franquiz (Tales from Harrow County) have created this singular horror series released by BOOM! Studios. August, Rylee, Cora & Jennie organize a “Spook Tour” on the most haunted stretch of road in America, but when things go south, they not only have to face the monsters, but the town that holds them responsible.
What drew me in wasn’t just the creepy horror atmosphere, but the characters themselves. They all have a deep backstory, such as Cora’s crippling fear of the dark or Jennie’s dream of being an astronaut and taking down the social barriers in her way. You get to know these four well and care about them a lot more when things go south. The art is also really good and Franquiz does a great job at creating a horrifying world that is always getting scarier.
Check out the comic at https://www.boom-studios.com/series/proctor-valley-road/.
White Fire (book) — I’ve long been a fan of the Pendergast book series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, and recently picked up where I left off awhile ago. Here’s a quick look at the plot:
“In 1876, in a mining camp called Roaring Fork in the Colorado Rockies, eleven miners were killed by a rogue grizzly bear. Corrie Swanson has arranged to examine the miners' remains. When she makes a shocking discovery, town leaders try to stop her from exposing their community's dark and bloody past.”
As I write this, I’m just about done with the book and it’s been a real pleasure to read. I loved the setting and how it plays into the story. The twists, while not hard to guess this time, were fun to encounter and the different characters are deep and well thought-out. History is often a big part of these books and the look into the town’s past, both good and bad, was one of the more enjoyable aspects.
If you’re looking to give this a read, visit https://www.prestonchild.com/books/whitefire/.
Pale Strangers (music) — The self-titled EP by this kickass rock duo is showing a strong start to this new project, formed following a separation of their last band, Rival Bones.
This is the kind of rock I grew up with, and listening to “Pale Strangers,” I’m reminded of a lot of the bands I love, while at the same time, appreciating the fact that these guys are bringing their own elements to the music.
The quick and fierce intro leads to “Deep Waters,” amps up fast from the opening chords. “Witches of the Wasteland” is my personal favorite from the album a real wave of sound with a chorus that I can easily see myself singing along to.
The five-track EP brings a lot to the table, with strong, precise instrumentation blended with some powerhouse vocals. This is the kind of music that has you moving right off the bat, and that alone tells me that this is a band worth listening to.
Hear all the band’s music at https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jvUQiQnxK3uLpj67dwP8N?si=hciGv-HyQ76m1nJpZ8LRRQ.
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