Bitter Root
Publication information
PublisherImage Comics
FormatOngoing series
Publication dateNovember 2018
No. of issues15
Main character(s)
  • Blink Sangerye
  • Etta Sangerye
  • Cullen Sangerye
  • Berg Sangerye
  • Ford Sangerye
Creative team
Created bySanford Greene
Chuck Brown
David F. Walker
Written byChuck Brown and David F. Walker
Artist(s)Sanford Greene
Letterer(s)Clayton Cowles
Colorist(s)Rico Renzi

Bitter Root is an American comic book series, co-created by Sanford Greene, Chuck Brown and David F. Walker. Published by Image Comics, the series is set during the Harlem Renaissance and follows the Sangeryes, a family of monster hunters who attempt to cure creatures rather than killing them.[1] The series was a critical and commercial success, and the rights to the film adaptation were acquired by Legendary Pictures.[2]

Plot

The series is set in 1924 and follows the Sangerye family, legendary monster hunters who have been almost wiped out by an attack prior to the events of the series. The remaining members of the family band together to hunt down monsters which plague the city of New York. Ma Etta Sangerye, the family matriarch, developed methods of curing monsters using her botanical knowledge. The protagonist, Blink Sangerye, chooses to fight monsters rather than practicing potions and medicine as women traditionally do. This causes friction between Blink and Ma Etta, who wants her to conform to tradition.

Development

Brown and Greene initially came up with the idea for a story involving monster hunters in the Harlem Renaissance.[3] They wanted to combine elements of early 20th century African-American culture, voodoo and film noir.[4] They chose the era because they felt the era embodied both "incredible artistic and cultural growth" as well as institutionalized racism, which provided opportunities for conflict.[5] Greene and Brown later brought on Walker to help them develop the idea, including the characters and background of the series as well as its title. Walker had previously collaborated with Greene on Power Man and Iron Fist.[1]

The series was released in November 2018.[5]

Reception

The series was a commercial success upon release, with a second printing being ordered two days after the first issue's debut. It also received positive reviews from critics.[2][6] ComicBook.com gave the series' first issue a positive review, praising the series' distinctiveness, characters and handling of complex themes related to hatred, bigotry and violence.[7] Hugh Sheridan of Bleeding Cool described the comic book as a "fun action adventure", praising Greene's "kinetic and distinctive art" as well as the comic's writing.[8]

In 2020, it was nominated for the Golden Issue Award for Best Ongoing Comic.[9] and the Dragon Award for Best Comic Book for Bitter Root.[10] That year, it won Best Series at the Ringo Awards.[11] It won the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series in 2020 and 2022.[12][13]

Adaptation

The film rights to the series were acquired by Legendary Pictures in March 2019.[2] In October 2019, it was announced that Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian and Zinzi Evans would direct the film.[14] In 2021, it was reported that Regina King was attached to the project as director.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 Betancourt, David (2019-02-20). "How 'Bitter Root,' a Harlem Renaissance comic by an all-black creative team, came to be". Washington Post.
  2. 1 2 3 Boucher, Geoff (2019-03-27). "'Bitter Root' Comics: Legendary Acquires Jazz Age Tale Of Monster Hunters In Harlem". Deadline.
  3. ↑ McMillan, Graeme (2018-10-29). "How 'Bitter Root' Brings the Supernatural to 1920s Harlem". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. ↑ Zachary, Brandon (2019-03-27). "Legendary Pictures Acquires Film Rights to Image Comics' Bitter Root". CBR. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. 1 2 "Family of monster hunters takes on racism, hate in 'Bitter Root,' from Portland's Image Comics". oregonlive. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  6. ↑ Shotwell, Alyssa (2022-02-21). "7 Incredible Indie Comics by Black Creators You Need to Read". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  7. ↑ "Review: 'Bitter Root' #1 Blends Action and Strong Characters With Weighty Real-World Problems". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  8. ↑ Sheridan, Hugh (2018-11-15). "Bitter Root #1: Racism Breeds Monsters in 1920s Harlem". bleedingcool.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  9. ↑ "The 2020 ComicBook.com Golden Issue Awards Nominees for Comics". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  10. ↑ "2020 Dragon Award Ballot – The Dragon Award". Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  11. ↑ "2020 Ringo Award Winners Announced". multiversitycomics.com.
  12. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (2020-07-25). "2020 Eisner Award Winners Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  13. ↑ Babb, Tiffany (2022-07-23). "The winners of the 2022 Eisner Awards are..." Popverse. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  14. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2019-10-02). "Legendary Sets Ryan Coogler To Produce Comic Series Adaptation 'Bitter Root' With Zinzi Evans & Sev Ohanian". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  15. ↑ Murphy, J. Kim (2021-05-11). "Regina King Will Direct Bitter Root, a Comic Movie Set in the Harlem Renaissance". IGN. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
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