Downlands is written and illustrated by Norm Konyu and published by Titan Comics.
Downlands is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
After the sudden death of his twin sister, 14 year old James Reynolds becomes obsessed with her tale of a black hound, a folkloric creature that is regarded as a portent of death. Enlisting the aid of his elderly neighbour, who the local children call ‘The Witch’, he delves into the centuries of village history, folklore, and ghosts, until he uncovers a deeper secret beyond his darkest nightmares, beyond the sight of most, and beyond the mortal veil.
Review
Ghosts have become the basis for many stories over the years, especially in the form of folklore. This is something many writers have used to their advantage, taking these tales and expanding them for the sake of personal, character-driven storytelling. Downlands looks to do the same with English folklore to rather chilling results.
Set in and around the English county of East Sussex, which, funnily enough, is where I grew up, Downlands embraces this location in every sense, making it feel like a character just as much as James is in the story. From the way the setting is captured through Konyu’s artwork to the many ways in which the story delves into and respects the history of the county is fascinating to see unfold with each page.
On that point, Konyu’s artwork and colouring are truly stunning here, giving the story a personality that is equally charming and unsettling at all the right moments. The character designs and use of watercolours are where Downlands gets this heartfelt warmth from, which is then later juxtaposed by darker colours and outlines that are minimal in appearance, adding to the ghostly nature of the book’s story.
The emotional weight of this story is also made apparent right from the start. Most of the dramatic punch comes from Konyu’s emphasis on character expressions and how they show emotions through their faces. The designs of the characters are kept fairly simple, but it is these looks of sadness, fear and joy that make them more empathetic as the story unfolds, even if they are subtle. This initial simplicity in the look of it all makes the darker, more horror-driven elements just that more impactful when they do appear.
The story never delves fully into graphic territory with its horror, always using it to reinforce the folklore aspect of the location and story to a chilling effect rather than trying to scare the audience just for the sake of it. Some writers, once onboard the horror train, would mostly run wild with the horrific possibilities they have set for themselves, but Knoyu keeps everything grounded and never loses sight of the characters at the centre of it all.
Downlands is a comic bursting with charm, suspense and heart. It uses its surroundings to heighten the story, in turn giving everything a distinct yet comfortably familiar feel that keeps you invested right up to the last page. I’ve kept a lot of details here deliberately vague, purely so you can experience the emotional journey for yourselves as you read this brilliant book.
Verdict
With Downlands, Norm Konyu presents a ghost story that is just as haunting as it is emotionally rich, all while paying homage to the English countryside and history of the local area that encompasses every fibre of this comic.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
