REVIEW: ‘Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood’

Eat my Flesh, Drink my Blood is an original folk horror comic published by Dauntless Stories, written by Frankee White with art and letters by Adam Markiewicz, and colours by A.H.G. Jonathan receives a letter from his estranged parents, telling him his father is dying. His wife persuades him to visit them and wants to come with them. But when they arrive, Lisa finds out there is a reason why he left.

The structure of this comic is excellent. Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood is a story that is precisely the right length. It is described as a  graphic novella, just over the size of two regular comic issues. Within is a beautifully written plot that sucks the reader in from the start. As the reader and the protagonists approach a creepy church, we realize that we are in for an atmospheric masterpiece.

White plays with audience expectations in a very different way to other writers. As we are invited in, ideas of what could happen begin to manifest. A slow, nervous build-up is interspersed with flashbacks that cleverly weaves the exposition into the story while drawing out the horror. When it happens, the reveal may be anticipated. But the “in your face” nature is the most shocking part. It never shies away from the horror; the reader is left feeling like they’re strapped to a seat, forced to watch it unfold. 

And yet, this comic is not just a gore-fest. There is a really sweet and poignant love story at the tale’s core. A huge factor in what gets the couple into trouble is their devotion to each other. Lisa wants Jonathan to have the chance to say goodbye to his father but also takes the opportunity to introduce herself. They both appear to be kind, ordinary people, which makes what happens to them all the more engrossing.

The art is incredible and just as crucial to the storytelling as the writing. Markiewicz creates some truly disturbing visuals. There is visceral gore and open nudity, revealing both like an exhibition. There are equal amounts of beauty and disturbance to the line art. The poses and expressions bring haunting flashbacks to Hereditary. Characters look friendly but can twist at a moment’s notice. The locations can range from welcoming to demonic, and the artist brilliantly implements double-imaging to suggest blurred vision or sluggish movements. The reader’s reaction is similar to the main characters: floored by what is before them.  

The colours are stunning. The technique in which A.H.G applies the colours is fascinating. The shades are stacked on top of each other, not blended. They fight for dominance on the page instead of merging. When things begin to go wrong, the reds, yellows, and oranges cover the page in a pulsating fashion. And yet, in the flashback sequence, the tone of the palette is jovial and lovely, showcasing where the actual safety is.

The lettering is also superb. The intonation of tone is fantastic, especially with the church setting. Hushed whispers are just seconds away from being overheard. 

Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood is a bold horror story that hits you with everything it has. Three excellent creators combine to drag the reader into a very dark world. It never apologizes for this or makes it easy. Unafraid to try uncommon things in comic books, White, Markiewicz, and A.H.G. also tell a tale that understands romance. The flagrant nakedness (in all senses of the word) of the final half may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is undoubtedly unforgettable.

Eat my Flesh, Drink my Blood is available through the publisher’s website here: