Reviews

Beneath the Dead Oak Tree by E.M. Carroll

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kitschysweater's review

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

hantj's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

tinyjude's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The art style is absolutely gorgeous and breath-taking. I was already captivated from the first panel. Foxes are my favourite animal and seeing aristocratic, deceitful, terrifying foxes was just the thing I needed tonight. Colourful, sinister and intriguing, we are lead into this entangled story about horror and vengeance, about the loss of innocence and the depravity of some creatures/characters. So short yet so impactful. Well crafted.

Content Warnings

jbeoin's review

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Notes: cannibalism, murder, gore, misogyny

If you've read any previous issues of More Comics Please!, you'll know I'm a big fan of Emily Carroll's work, and this one is no exception! Her stories take these toxic, misogynistic tropes and societal expectations of women and turn them inside out-- often literally with all the artistically illustrated gore lol. I love her way of subverting these elements of society and storytelling and turning them into horror stories that make us shudder at the possibilities within us.

I also just love her illustration style, too; she has such a deceptively simple yet elegant and elaborate style of drawing that lures you in with its beauty, getting you to relax in the comfort of it, before shattering it all with the gore she so deftly portrays.

This story is no different in its approach, and it's just so beautifully done. Definitely recommend checking this one out if you can get your hands on a copy! This is another one from the now retired ShortBox, so here's Emily Carroll's website to keep an eye on in case she self-publishes this in the future!

**ShortBox's last day of business is on February 29, 2024, so be sure to grab a copy while you can!

Content Warnings