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Crownsville #1 Explores Real Horrors of the Past and Delivers a Tense Debut

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect—alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls. Crownsville #1 is a tense debut mixing history with horror to deliver a debut that mines the past to face the future.

Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Elia Bonetti
Letterer: Marshall Dillon

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Preview: Crownsville #1

Crownsville #1

(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Elia Bonetti

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, MD, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.

Crownsville #1

Crownsville #1 Explores the Real Horrors of the Past and Delivers a Terrifying Debut

Crownsville #1

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect—alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls. Crownsville #1 is a tense debut mixing history with horror to deliver a debut that mines the past to face the future.

I’m not one who normally goes straight to the horror comic but the premise of Crownsville #1 is one that piqued my interest and made it a debut comic I had to check out. Written by Rodney Barnes, to say the issue is good is an understatement. It’s good, really good, with a concept and deliver that sucks you in and leaves you unnerved. The series dives into the real history of the Crownsville Hospital, a segregated facility in a time when experimenting on individuals deemed “lesser” was a practice, a reprehensible one.

Where Barnes’ writing shines is to explore that past but weaving it into the story in a way that doesn’t feel like it’s preaching to the reader. Instead, the history is the core of the story and the concept explores that history. I’m not an expert on the subject and facility, but with it so close, Crownsville #1 makes me want to visit, explore, and learn more. It’s also haunting in so many ways.

Part of that unnerving experience is the art by Elia Bonetti and the lettering by Marshall Dillon. Bonetti’s art has a gritty, worn, almost dirty quality about it. The look screams ghost story, but there’s a sadness about it all. The art is haunting in multiple ways, with the emotion and weight depicted on the characters’ faces to the literal ghosts depicted. Barnes created a “mood” for the comic and Bonetti nails it in every way. Marshall Dillon’s lettering too stands out with a special touch to the ghosts and the echoes of the past which delivers a chill on the page.

Crownsville #1 is a hell of a debut. It nails the horror/ghost vibe it’s going for while using it to explore real history and horrors of the past. This is a stand out debut and sure to make “best of” lists when the time comes.

Story: Rodney Barnes Art: Elia Bonetti Letterer: Marshall Dillon
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: Zeus ComicsKindle

Preview: Crownsville #1

Crownsville #1

(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Elia Bonetti

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, MD, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.

Crownsville #1

Rodney Barnes and Elia Bonetti’s Crownsville #1 Delivers An Unforgettable Ghost Story Full of Terror and Trauma

Oni Press is publishing one of the most anticipated horror comics of the year, beginning with Crownsville #1 by Peabody Award-winning screenwriter and master storyteller Rodney Barnes and breakout star artist Elia Bonetti. This frightening and unforgettable five-issue comic book series is inspired by actual events and the terrible legacy of Maryland’s Crownsville Hospital. For decades, the notorious (and now defunct) Maryland psychiatric hospital traumatized the Black communities of Jim Crow-era Annapolis. For writer Rodney Barnes, the hospital’s awful history is intertwined with his own family legacy; his grandmother worked at the hospital as a nurse and a few family members were patients there.

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, Maryland, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . 

In the highly anticipated series, an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide. But a lone police detective and his old friend—a local journalist— soon discover the reality of the horrors that are still locked within its walls. In issue two, the mystery deepens around Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare as they discover that anyone coming into contact with the facility is being deeply affected —and even killed… penance for sins of the past.

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 Brings the Vampires Back to Barrow for More Terror

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1

The town of Barrow has moved on. Those who remember the vampiric terror of two decades past would rather not talk about it. Those who don’t remember don’t believe the stories. Ignorance will be their downfall, because a dark memory is stirring in the heart of Romania and it has set its sights on Barrow, the death place of Vicente. While vampires seek revenge for their fallen leader in Alaska, troubled teen Jalen James seeks sanctuary. After fleeing gang violence in Los Angeles, Jalen needs a fresh start. But he’s unlikely to find it as the sun falls… 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 kicks off a new chapter for the vampire series attempting to balance a story for new readers and long time fans.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen an original 30 Days of Night series. Launched in 2002 by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith, it took the novel idea of a vampire story taking place in Barrow, Alaska and advantage of the prolonged night, 30 days, that area experiences. It spawned multiple volumes, films, crossovers, and more building a cult fandom. It’s back with 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1, written by Rodney Barnes with Niles consulting on the story.

Barnes does a decent job of balancing a series with a lot of history so that it can be enjoyed by new readers while also playing to longtime fans of the series. For new readers, you just need to know there was a vampire attack on this town and there are some survivors. The new readers will be more into the villain and their motivation. It does a delicate balance between the two and pulls it off.

But, it’s the focus of Barnes’ story that really stands out. We’re introduced to Jalen who has experienced trauma in his hometown of LA and has run to Barrow to escape it. Mix that with the survivors still living in the town who have their own trauma to deal with. With what I understand of the villain as well, the story has a mix of individuals all haunted by their pasts and those pasts are driving their current reality.

The art by Chris Shehan is nice. With color by Xenon Honchar and lettering by Alex Ray, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 has a style that feels rough and nightmarish, a fitting style to the story. The comic has a dreamlike feel at times and has no problem dipping its toes into the blood and gore you’d expect from this type of story. There’s so minor issues for that as blood is drank from rather odd things and the flow of it doesn’t quite make sense. While not hurting the story, it could give readers pause. But, overall the art style matches the genre and story quite well.

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 is one of the early titles for IDW’s horror line IDW Dark and should be a fun return for longtime fans of the property. It has a lot going for it with some nice underlying themes and a debut issue that new and longtime fans can both enjoy. If you want a vampire comic to dive into as the nights get longer and weather colder, 30 Days of Night has returned just in time.

Story: Rodney Barnes Story Consultant: Steve Niles Art: Chris Shehan
Color: Xenon Honchar Letterer: Alex Ray
Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review


Purchase: Zeus ComicsKindle

Exclusive Preview: Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #2

Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #2

(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Ramon Rosanas
(C) Guru-eFX (L) Joe Caramagna
(CA) Ramon Rosanas, Guru-eFX (VCA) Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz and Rain Beredo, Ken Lashley and Juan Fernandez

HOT ON THE TRAIL OF THE FALCON! HAN SOLO and CHEWBACCA continue their search for the Falcon and face RAPTOR DROIDS along the way! DUCAIN is in for a beating when Han and Chewie find him! And how are the IRVING BOYS wrapped up in this intergalactic chase?!

Star Wars: Han Solo - Hunt for the Falcon #2

Face Your Fears in Crownsville #1 – Rodney Barnes and Elia Bonetti Unearth Decades of Terror on November 5th!

Oni Press has unleashed a look inside Crownsville #1, the first in a chilling five-part series from Rodney Barnes and artist Elia Bonetti! Inspired by the real-life horrors of the notorious Maryland psychiatric hospital once called the “Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland” that preyed upon the segregated Black communities surrounding Annapolis, Maryland for decades, Crownsville #1 is a haunting fusion of true crime, tension-addled thriller, and roaring supernatural horror arriving in comic shops everywhere on November 5th with a DOUBLE-SIZED, 48 PAGE FIRST ISSUE

Founded at the turn of the 20th century outside of Annapolis, MD, the Crownsville Hospital was a notoriously segregated, all-Black psychiatric institute. After decades of overcrowding and neglect— alongside darker, more-persistent rumors of patient abuse and illegal medical experiments—it was finally closed. Today, it stands condemned—a crumbling testament to a legacy of all-too-real terror inflicted on a marginalized and vulnerable community. But even as a ruin of its former self, Crownsville still casts a long shadow. . . . When an unexplained death inside the abandoned hospital is ruled a suicide, Annapolis police detective Mike Simms and journalist Paul Blairare are compelled to dig deeper, only to discover the reality of the horrors that once took place there . . . and the powerful connection they share to the anguished spirits of the dead that are still locked within its walls.

The past is a ghost that will devour you whole… Discover why on November 5th as master storytellers Rodney Barnes and Elia Bonetti unleash one of 2025’s most enthralling, most terrifying, and most spectacular statements on horror in Crownsville #1 – featuring wrenching covers by Jason Shawn Alexander, interior artist Elia BonettiSyzmon Kudranski, and Andrea Sorrentino!

Crownsville #1

Preview: Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #1

Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #1

(W) Rodney Barnes (A) Ramón Rosanas

IN THE TIME BEFORE THE FORCE AWAKENS, WHERE IS THE MILLENNIUM FALCON?! Less than satisfied with a settled life, HAN SOLO lands on the idea of reclaiming the Falcon and returning to a life of adventure. The problem is, he can’t find it. After enlisting a less than enthusiastic CHEWBACCA, the duo embarks upon a quest to reclaim the greatest ship in the galaxy. Standing in their way are a laundry list of rogues who have staked a claim to the Millennium Falcon as well, like the villainous scoundrel who stole the Falcon, DUCAIN.

Star Wars: Han Solo – Hunt for the Falcon #1
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