Name: Celeste Richardson's review of Wraith by Joe Hill
Item: Wraith
Rating: 4
Author: Celeste Richardson

Joe Hill

Reveals the beginnings of Charlie Manx, the ageless madman that rules the terrifying fun house world of Christmasland.

Wraith

Jeff James

Celeste Richardson

My cousin got this for Christmas and insisted I read it when he finished. I’m glad he did, because it made me retroactively appreciate NOS4A2 more. Joe Hill’s stories translate so well into the graphic novel format. I loved Locke & Key, and I very much enjoyed Wraith, as well. NOS4A2 was my second Hill after having adored The Fireman, and something about NOS4A2 just didn’t captivate me in the same way. But now, after having read Wraith, I think that disappointment would be lessened if I were to reread NOS4A2.

Wraith is the origin story of Charles Manx, the hella disturbing antagonist of NOS4A2, and his equally disturbing car, the Wraith. Learning more about Manx’s backstory made him a far more interesting and multi-faceted character. The story here was really good, and the art style, while not my personal favorite, paired very well with the narrative. There were another couple of characters who were given a little bit of depth, but for the most part this is Manx’s story. 

While enjoyable, I can tell this isn’t a story that’s going to stick with me. It was fun while it lasted, though!

Caroline Lewicki

An incredible graphic novel prequel to Joe Hill's  NOS4A2 ,  Wraith  gives you a chilling back story for Charlie Manx. Read all the way to the end because the epilogue is fun and creepy. Seems unrelated at first but when it comes full circle, you'll be shocked.

The artistic depictions of Charlie Manx, Christmasland, and his blood thirsty children are enough to make you want to read and reread this graphic novel. The text also answers some of the unanswered questions that haunted me after NOS4A2.

Yoomi

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have read Joe Hill's "NOS4A2" and while this book acts as a prequel, it stands well on its own. It is about a man, if you can call him that, Charlie Manx. He has discovered a way to travel to a dreamscape, a place that he has dreamt up and made a reality. A sick and twisted reality where he "saves" children from their horrible parents and bring them to a kind of amusement park where there are rides and animals, candycanes and children who never age or die. This is a graphically violent story but what impresses me about Joe Hill is his ability to write about relationships, especially about the importance of family. The artwork is rough with dark strokes, giving everything a hard edge, which fits the story so well. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of horror. I would recommend anything by Joe Hill.

Melissa Railey

Mark Anderson

A graphic novel prequel to Hill's New York Times-bestselling novel NOS4A2. Discover the terrifying funhouse world of Christmasland and the ageless monster who rules it. Climb into the passenger seat as Hill and artist Charlie "Talent" Wilson III explore Charlie Manx's twisted beginnings, introduce a new and depraved cast of characters to Christmasland, and take us for a 100 MPH ride down an icy nightmare road in a car with no brakes...

Jeff James &
Wraith by Joe Hill

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Jeff James &
Wraith by Joe Hill