The Autumnal

[Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod)]

The Autumnal
Daniel Krause, writer; Chris Shehan, artist; Jason Wordie, colorist; Jim Campbell, letterer
Vault Comics, 2021

As the story begins, Kat Somerville and her daughter Sybil are having a hard time in Chicago. But Kat's estranged mother has recently died and left Kat her house in Comfort Notch, New Hampshire. Kat barely remembers growing up in the place--her mother sent her away when she was 9 years old--but the pair head out, looking for a fresh start. Their reception in their new home town is an odd mix right from the start, a combination of friendliness and near-hostility (beginning with the complete lack of townspeople at her mother's memorial service).  Everyone seems obsessed with trees, and Kat refuses to believe the plant growth she saw on her mother when she peeked into her casket. A former classmate tells her the legend of Clementine Biddle, a woman who became a nature spirit and periodically demands a child sacrifice. It all comes to a head at the town's annual Autumnal Equinox celebration. Kat learns why her mother sent her away as a child, and tries to save Sybil. But it all goes horribly wrong in the terrifying conclusion. Thie is really powerful horror story telling, given atmospheric life in the impressionist art of Shehan and Wordie.