The Long Road Taken in Where's My Shoggoth? A Graphic Novella Review

Creators: Ian Thomas and Adam Bolton.

Purveyors of graphic novel curiosities may want to consider taking a glimpse of "Where's My Shoggoth?" This children's book is for the Lovecraft enthusiast looking for a unique coffee table book to display. The bonus is that the title glows in the dark! If guests are not inclined to peek at this short story, perhaps they may want to partake in playing a variation of the game of snakes and ladders printed on the inside cover.

Unfortunately, to play the game proper, owners will have to photocopy the two sides and put it together. The book is not meant to be taken apart.

The story about a boy looking for his missing Shoggoth is sweetly engaging and not without its subtle humour. This nameless individual has a pet black cat who tags along. With no surprise, this curious feline loses some of its lives as the two meet some of H.P. Lovecraft's best creations. None of them could answer where his pet Shoggoth went.

But at some point during the narrative, readers will have to wonder who this boy is? Why is he adamant in wanting the bulbous mass of shambling flesh besieged with tendrils back? Just how can he survive meeting some of Lovecraft's greatest creations and still remain sane?

The prose developed to narrate this boy's tale is whimsical, reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's style. The onomatopoeias accentuate the adventure this lad is undertaking. The style may be intentional by writers Ian Thomas and Adam Bolton to heighten the narrative. Also, by making the tale accessible to all ages, no reader is alienated.

In a book that mixes some of the Sunday funnies style with a narrative straight out of Lovecraft's other work, The Dream Quest of Unknown Kadath. This novella is a must for both the comic book lover and arts enthusiast. The realms the boy has to enter are vividly sketched with exquisite detail, totally etched in graphite. Some of Lovecraft's best known creations, like the Mi-Go, Nightgaunts and Byakhee are given a new look that is not as disturbing.

When the boy finally recovers his pet, the final irony will to his fate will not go unnoticed. Fans of Lovecraft's narrative style will not be disappointed.

Overall: 8 out of 10.

The novella's official website is here:

Where's My Shoggoth? Official Website

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Posted in: 2012,graphic,graphic novels,novel,preview,release,review