Bitter Root
Image’s Bitter Root, from writers David Walker and Chuck Brown and artist Sanford Greene, is the kind of comic that makes it clear just how much black voices have been missing in the comics canon—and how we’ve all been missing out because of that fact. Set in the midst of the Harlem Renaissance, Bitter Root tells the story of the Sangeryes, a family of demon-hunters who are renowned for their unparalleled skill at concocting a special serum derived from magical roots.
Unbeknownst to the world, the Sangeryes are one of the few remaining families of hunters with deep knowledge of the jinoo, a breed of demon that are actually humans who have gone through mysterious transformations. Were it not for the Sangeryes’ serum and hunting skills, New York would be overrun by the creatures and become even more of a hellscape than the city already is by default. But for all the good the Sangeryes do, they’re still forced to deal with the all-too-real, racist evils of the early 20th century that blind people to the fact that they’re heroes regularly risking their lives to protect humanity.
Greene’s illustrations are lush and wild, creating a version of New York City that feels both realistic and appropriately fantastical given Bitter Root’s premise. Every panel is an immersive, visual delight that pulls you into the Sangeryes’ world and makes you want to journey into the shadowy corners of NYC to fight by their side. (David Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene)
