A review by otterno11
The Sleep of Reason: An Anthology of Horror by Liz Edwards, Hillary Blair, Savannah Horrocks, Kev Anderson, Lin Visel, Isaiah Smalley, Evan Dahm, Britt C.H., Tristan Harrington, Kel McDonald, Melanie Gillman, Greg Stolze, K.C. Green, Kristin Cheney, Meg Gandy, C. Spike Trotman, Lety R-Z, Carla Speed McNeil, Gabby Schulz, Stevan Zivadinovic, Kit Goode, Randal Milholland, Ainsley Seago, Sophie Goldstein, Lee Blauersouth, J.R. Cullen, Der-shing Helmer, Blue Delliquanti, Brittney Sabo, Gerry Swanson, Rachel Edidin, Jason Bradley Thompson, Ty Blauersouth
4.0
An absolutely delicious and spine-chilling read perfect for Halloween reading, The Sleep of Reason is not for the faint of heart. The twenty-six short comics collected here from dozens of budding new cartoonists and writers take the varied tropes of supernatural horror in many different, unpredictable directions. You never know what to expect as people's mundane lives are interrupted by horrors unspeakable, each drawing from some of humanity's deepest fears. Taking us from suburban everytown USA to Australia to deep space, the stories included here highlight many different styles and artistic forms, and, even better, showcase much diversity, in every sense of the word. The only complaint (if one can call it that) is that some of the stories end a bit abruptly, with little resolution, which may be a consequence of the short form as well as the inexplicable, futile nature of cosmic horror. A few also attempt a message of some sort, some more effective than others.
It is also worth mentioning that many of the tales included in the The Sleep of Reason head into some pretty dark territory. While not always horribly gruesome (though some gross stuff is included, of course!) a lot of mature themes are explored which may be a little much even for a teen audience. This adds to a feeling that no holds were barred in the creative process of the included artists, increasing the chill factor even more. My favorites were Do Better, by Kristin Cheney, Out of Chaos by Rachel Edidin and Kel McDonald, The Collection by A. Seago and T. Harrington, and It Comes Back by Brittney Sabo.
It is also worth mentioning that many of the tales included in the The Sleep of Reason head into some pretty dark territory. While not always horribly gruesome (though some gross stuff is included, of course!) a lot of mature themes are explored which may be a little much even for a teen audience. This adds to a feeling that no holds were barred in the creative process of the included artists, increasing the chill factor even more. My favorites were Do Better, by Kristin Cheney, Out of Chaos by Rachel Edidin and Kel McDonald, The Collection by A. Seago and T. Harrington, and It Comes Back by Brittney Sabo.