The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howard
Iron Circus Comics
Publication Date: February 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-945820-68-7
This graphic collection of five stories explores that scary time just after midnight, when desperation drives each main character to reach out and accept the supernatural. Each story is told from a different point in life – as the youngest child just wanting a friend of her own to play with, a queer teen wanting to be fully accepted by her parents, a teen girl wanting to protect the monster that had one time treated her family well, a college student trying to make ends meet while also passing final exams, and a single woman living a lonely retirement by the edge of a bog. They all turn toward the supernatural, but does it save them?
Each story flows easily one into the next, pulling the reader to find out what haunting thing will happen in the next story. The black and white illustrations are beautifully drawn and portray inclusive and diverse settings for each story, while also harnessing the horror and the emotion they invoke. The cover alone (with its spooky eye) is sure to grab some attention.
Give this to readers who enjoy horror, such as Locke & Key on Netflix, or Emily Carroll’s Through the Woods graphic novel.
–Sarah Sullivan, Methuen, MA
Other Nominated Titles
- Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson (February 2nd, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the field nomination form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are available on The Hub.
