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Wraith (Welcome to Christmasland #1-6)
by
Joe Hill (Goodreads Author),
Charles Paul Wilson III
Joe Hill's New York Times Bestselling novel, NOS4A2, introduced readers to the terrifying funhouse world of Christmasland, and the mad man who rules there: Charlie Talent Manx III. Now, in an original new comic mini-series, Hill throws wide the candy cane gates to tell a standalone story that is at once both accessible to new readers, and sure to delight fans of the book.
Hardcover, 172 pages
Published
August 12th 2014
by IDW Publishing
(first published January 1st 2014)
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(showing 1-30)
I freaking loved NOS4A2, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Though I bought it in single issues, I didn't get time to read it until the trade came out, and it was completely worth the wait.
If you're already familiar with all the characters and the world of NOS4A2, this will be a supremely satisfying visit to Christmasland, with a chilling look back at Charlie Manx's origin. If you're new to the whole thing, I expect that you'll want to pick up NOS4A2 the instant you finish this.
If you're already familiar with all the characters and the world of NOS4A2, this will be a supremely satisfying visit to Christmasland, with a chilling look back at Charlie Manx's origin. If you're new to the whole thing, I expect that you'll want to pick up NOS4A2 the instant you finish this.
Charles Manx III
I wouldn’t say I’ve been intentionally ignoring Joe Hill’s graphic novels, but...well...I have been. He trapped me like a fly in a Brown Recluse Spider web with this one because Wraith is actually a prequel to his outstanding novel NOS4A2. To entice me even further he tells the backstory of the diabolic, Christmasland caretaker, Charles Manx III.
Somehow it is so much more stomach churning to think that there were two other Manx’s before this one.
Manx drives a Rolls Royce Silve ...more
THIS. KICKED. ASS. !!
The story, the artwork, it's all top notch. It's a deliciously evil tale which reels you right in, especially if you've already read NOS4A2.
If you want to know more about Christmasland, (as I did), or if you want to know more about the Wraith's history, (as I did), grab this graphic novel compilation. It's a visually stunning book and I know I'll be reading this and gazing at the evil Mr. Charles Talent Manx over and over again.
My highest recommendation!
The story, the artwork, it's all top notch. It's a deliciously evil tale which reels you right in, especially if you've already read NOS4A2.
If you want to know more about Christmasland, (as I did), or if you want to know more about the Wraith's history, (as I did), grab this graphic novel compilation. It's a visually stunning book and I know I'll be reading this and gazing at the evil Mr. Charles Talent Manx over and over again.
My highest recommendation!
I read this book not really knowing that it was set in same world as Hill's N0s4A2.
It's a well executed comic, as you'd expect from someone who came out of the gate writing Locke and Key. I enjoyed it even though I hadn't read the novel.
Two warnings:
1. If you intend to read the novel, I'd do that first. I read the comic first, and though I enjoyed it, when I went on and read the novel, I knew too much about the world already, and it ruined certain elements of the book's pacing for me.
2. This ...more
It's a well executed comic, as you'd expect from someone who came out of the gate writing Locke and Key. I enjoyed it even though I hadn't read the novel.
Two warnings:
1. If you intend to read the novel, I'd do that first. I read the comic first, and though I enjoyed it, when I went on and read the novel, I knew too much about the world already, and it ruined certain elements of the book's pacing for me.
2. This ...more
Holy shiznit!! This is read now on Netgalley.
ETA: DAng it!!! I got this book and was so excited. It's one of those you have to download though and I flipping can't see the wording to read it...and I want too!!! ARGGHHHHHHHHH
ETA: DAng it!!! I got this book and was so excited. It's one of those you have to download though and I flipping can't see the wording to read it...and I want too!!! ARGGHHHHHHHHH
I didn’t know it when I picked it up but apparently The Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland is a sequel/prequel (as in it was published after but the story is set before) to Joe Hill’s prose novel NOS4A2. Like Nosferatu, geddit? Sheesh, what uninspired “cryptic” wordplay. Well, like father, like son, eh Redrum?
So I haven’t read NOS4A2 which is why I was quite a bit confused with this book - unless people who have read that novel also found this confusing in which case it was just a mess! Charlie M ...more
So I haven’t read NOS4A2 which is why I was quite a bit confused with this book - unless people who have read that novel also found this confusing in which case it was just a mess! Charlie M ...more
Three jailbirds are being transferred when an escape plan goes horribly wrong. With nowhere left to turn, one of the escapees decides to call in a favor and request the assistance of one Charlie Manx. Manx has a talent for making folks disappear so he offers a solution to their problem – only they may not like where he takes them.
I received a free copy from the fine folks at Netgalley for review.
The Wraith is a great companion piece to Hill’s 2013 novel, NOS4A2 and expands on what is already a c ...more
I received a free copy from the fine folks at Netgalley for review.
The Wraith is a great companion piece to Hill’s 2013 novel, NOS4A2 and expands on what is already a c ...more
Wow. I bought this 2 days after Christmas. Scary!
Anyway, this is something of a prequel story to the one that we see in NOS4A2. We see Charlie's beginnings and the beginnings of Christmasland, and learn about the children that live there. It's good stuff, and definitely more than a little creepy.
The artwork is great. All the big teeth and black eyes. Awesome. Loved it. It's Joe Hill... what did I expect?
Anyway, this is something of a prequel story to the one that we see in NOS4A2. We see Charlie's beginnings and the beginnings of Christmasland, and learn about the children that live there. It's good stuff, and definitely more than a little creepy.
The artwork is great. All the big teeth and black eyes. Awesome. Loved it. It's Joe Hill... what did I expect?
Excellent companion piece to NOS4A2, with suitably ghoulish art and a terrifically entertaining story. Fans of the novel (like me) will dig it.
Jun 03, 2014
Chris
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
review-copy-net-galley,
read-owned-hardcover
I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley.
How cool was that? Joe Hill is one of my favorite authors, both for his graphic novels and his stories of prose. Well, this was a blending of the two. Hill takes a favorite villain from his awesome book NOS4A2 by the name of Charlie Manx and gives us his backstory, in comic form.
So yeah. How cool was that?
It came out beautifully too. 4.5 star beautiful. The story wasn't quite as good as that in NOS4A2, but it was still pretty damn compelling. A ...more
How cool was that? Joe Hill is one of my favorite authors, both for his graphic novels and his stories of prose. Well, this was a blending of the two. Hill takes a favorite villain from his awesome book NOS4A2 by the name of Charlie Manx and gives us his backstory, in comic form.
So yeah. How cool was that?
It came out beautifully too. 4.5 star beautiful. The story wasn't quite as good as that in NOS4A2, but it was still pretty damn compelling. A ...more
Oct 14, 2014
Holly the Infinite Book Dragon
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
graphic-comics,
horror-mystery-thriller
This has been on my tbr since October (raddest month of the year) 2014! I added it a few short months after reading NOS4A2, one of my favorite books of all time!
I fucking LOVE NOS4A2. With a deep, twisted passion! It was pretty badass to see Charlie Manx & the story of Christmasland visually. I didn't find this as creepy as NOS4A2, but it was delightfully macabre all the same!
Highly recommend Joe Hill for those of you yet to read him. I would definitely read NOS4A2 first, before getting into ...more
I fucking LOVE NOS4A2. With a deep, twisted passion! It was pretty badass to see Charlie Manx & the story of Christmasland visually. I didn't find this as creepy as NOS4A2, but it was delightfully macabre all the same!
Highly recommend Joe Hill for those of you yet to read him. I would definitely read NOS4A2 first, before getting into ...more
The fact that I felt I needed to read this after finishing NOS4A2, could be seen as detriment to the latter book.
I loved NOS4A2 but I still felt hungry. Surely that's a good thing, cries you...yes and no.
Sure enough, it was nice to revisit Christmas land but why should I have to? Surely the mouse crusher that was NOS4A2 could/should have given me enough...
I still don't know (and to be honest I don't give a shit) why this Manx back story wasn't included in the original book. I loved NOS4A2 and I ...more
I loved NOS4A2 but I still felt hungry. Surely that's a good thing, cries you...yes and no.
Sure enough, it was nice to revisit Christmas land but why should I have to? Surely the mouse crusher that was NOS4A2 could/should have given me enough...
I still don't know (and to be honest I don't give a shit) why this Manx back story wasn't included in the original book. I loved NOS4A2 and I ...more
I did not read Hill's NOSA42, to which Wraith is a kind of prequel, I am told, an introduction to crazy Charlie Manx and his crazy horror scene, Christmasland, with all of his "babies," children psychos. This is Manx's dreamland, to which he takes people in his Wraith, his Rolls. This is a spare tale for back story, so the art takes the stage, and a bloody stage it is. I would say there is not really much more than a story's worth back story here… and an epilogue, but it feels sort if thin. I me
...more
Bullet Review:
I'm guessing this may be one of those comics that is better after you've read the first medium upon which it is based.
It's okay - not for the faint of heart!
I'm guessing this may be one of those comics that is better after you've read the first medium upon which it is based.
It's okay - not for the faint of heart!
Tremendo comic. Precuela de la novela NOS4A2, la cual recomiendo leer antes para apreciar aun más esta historia.
No se porque me da que no será la última vez que tengamos noticias del Sr. Manx
No se porque me da que no será la última vez que tengamos noticias del Sr. Manx
I freaking love this! The horrific graphics and storyline made me stay up all night.
Review Posted from Tenacious Reader: http://www.tenaciousreader.com/2014/0...
This book is so messed up. But, in all the best imaginable ways I think.
I went into this with some expectations. I have read NOS4A2 and the thought of getting a backstory that focused on Charlie “Talent” Manx III and Christmasland was quite exciting. I also love Joe Hill’s Locke and Key graphic novels, so, easy to assume, I really expected to enjoy this one as well.
And well I did. But I also have to admit, it was even c ...more
This book is so messed up. But, in all the best imaginable ways I think.
I went into this with some expectations. I have read NOS4A2 and the thought of getting a backstory that focused on Charlie “Talent” Manx III and Christmasland was quite exciting. I also love Joe Hill’s Locke and Key graphic novels, so, easy to assume, I really expected to enjoy this one as well.
And well I did. But I also have to admit, it was even c ...more
A graphic novel set in the world of "NOS4A2." I haven't yet read the novel, but I felt that this worked perfectly well as a stand-alone piece.
The first part sets the scene: Charlie Manx, as a boy, suffered trauma and escaped into a twisted world of the imagination. Later in life, after suffering crushing disappointments, he regains this world in the form of a creepy amusement park called Christmasland. (Believe me, this place makes anything Tim Burton has dreamed up look like good clean, innocen ...more
The first part sets the scene: Charlie Manx, as a boy, suffered trauma and escaped into a twisted world of the imagination. Later in life, after suffering crushing disappointments, he regains this world in the form of a creepy amusement park called Christmasland. (Believe me, this place makes anything Tim Burton has dreamed up look like good clean, innocen ...more
I maintain that there are two types of readers:
1. Those who love Joe Hill.
2. Those who haven't read Joe Hill yet.
I am once again blown away by this terrific horror author. This graphic novel is essentially a prequel to his novel "Nos4a2". The expanded story of "Christmasland" and the terrors who live there will make you simultaneously smile and cringe if you're anything like me. Rich characterization and gorgeous art work make this a special treat. I usually hate prequels. But now I officially l ...more
1. Those who love Joe Hill.
2. Those who haven't read Joe Hill yet.
I am once again blown away by this terrific horror author. This graphic novel is essentially a prequel to his novel "Nos4a2". The expanded story of "Christmasland" and the terrors who live there will make you simultaneously smile and cringe if you're anything like me. Rich characterization and gorgeous art work make this a special treat. I usually hate prequels. But now I officially l ...more
Interesting, but not amazing, I will still check out NOS4A2 because everyone I know gave it 5 stars...and Wil Wheaton, who was kind enough to friend me on Goodreads.
I was more interested in the characters than Christmasland itself...the art reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are, but that could have been the teeth...
Horror folks might enjoy this more, so Lono, giv'er.
I was more interested in the characters than Christmasland itself...the art reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are, but that could have been the teeth...
Horror folks might enjoy this more, so Lono, giv'er.
Yeesh. Charlie Manx is back, this time in a ridiculously bloody prequel to NOS4A2, in which we learn the disturbing tale of how Manx acquired The Wraith, and how he built Christmasland. Full of foul language, dirty tricks, long cons, sharp teeth (lots and lots of teeth), righteous retribution, and a higher body count than the novel it's spun out of, The Wraith is one nasty piece of work. I don't think I'd even let the terrible children of Christmasland read it for fear they'd give themselves nig
...more
Wow, Locke and Key was scary and dark, but this was an onslaught. Joe Hill's disturbed mind is the main reason, but if it weren't for the detailed, grotesque artwork of Charles Paul Wilson, this book wouldn't have packed the same punch. The epilogue was the frosting on the horrifying cake. I might have to wait a while, but this makes me curious to read the novel it was adapted from. There was an ugliness to this story that kept me from loving it like I love Locke and Key, but I was still impress
...more
So far I have loved everything associated to Joe Hill, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
A nice prelude to NOS4A2, I especially liked the Epilogue, which could of been a stand alone in itself!
A nice prelude to NOS4A2, I especially liked the Epilogue, which could of been a stand alone in itself!
A nice prequel story to NOS4A2. The story was much better than I had anticipated. I think I had low expectations because the art wasn't my thing. "Scissors for the drifter" still cracks me up. Great read if you've read NOS4A2 otherwise probably not near as enjoyable.
A graphic novel set in the world of "NOS4A2." I haven't yet read the novel, but I felt that this worked perfectly well as a stand-alone piece.
The first part sets the scene: Charlie Manx, as a boy, suffered trauma and escaped into a twisted world of the imagination. Later in life, after suffering crushing disappointments, he regains this world in the form of a creepy amusement park called Christmasland. (Believe me, this place makes anything Tim Burton has dreamed up look like good clean, innocen ...more
The first part sets the scene: Charlie Manx, as a boy, suffered trauma and escaped into a twisted world of the imagination. Later in life, after suffering crushing disappointments, he regains this world in the form of a creepy amusement park called Christmasland. (Believe me, this place makes anything Tim Burton has dreamed up look like good clean, innocen ...more
The Wraith Comic books are easy to plow through. The strategic use of images and a minimal amount of text always makes for a much more entertaining interpretation of practically any famous or well-loved story. I didn’t read the original (nor did I hear of it before, to be honest), but I picked the book after judging by the cover as well as by the summary.
I stopped reading about halfway through the book. I couldn’t take it. The combination of the text and images disturbed me and I wish ...more
I stopped reading about halfway through the book. I couldn’t take it. The combination of the text and images disturbed me and I wish ...more
I have not read NOS4A2. But since I just found out that this comic series is based out of it, I think I need to. I am a fan of Joe Hill. I enjoy him in comic and novel format. I’m just now getting around to reading his full breadth of work.
This story is interesting. Really interesting. Creepy. And weird. When I read it, I had no idea it was connected to any of Joe Hill’s other work. That said, it is accessible to new readers. I had no trouble figuring out the story on it’s own as a separate work ...more
This story is interesting. Really interesting. Creepy. And weird. When I read it, I had no idea it was connected to any of Joe Hill’s other work. That said, it is accessible to new readers. I had no trouble figuring out the story on it’s own as a separate work ...more
Dark and brutal, this comic is not for the faint of heart. It's a series of stories that lay the groundwork out about the driver of the hearse in NOS4A2, who takes children to Christmasland. The graphics drawings are sometimes bloody (like in Christmasland) and horrifying, and might appeal to those who love the type of horror stories that scare adults. (But if you don't care for this kind of violence, that includes children but is not visited against them themselves, you might want to steal clea
...more
After reading NOS4A2 and loving it, I had to get my hands on this book! And I'm sure glad I did because this novel was another great story by Joe Hill (am I even suprised at this point?)! The graphic novel Wraith is a prequel to the novel NOS4A2 where a couple of prisoners on their way to prison happen to escape only to end up in the deadly clutches of Charles Manx the creepy old guy that is obsessed with a place called Christmasland, and seems to love bringing children there in his 1938 Rolls R
...more
Dark, bloody and a lot of death and abuse of children. Wraith is a car or is it a man ? It's a crazy thing that takes apart the wicked ones, one bloody slap at a time. There was a slow coming together of stories, stories of children who were abused, by adults. They are taken o a place where they meet some children who want to play a game, a game of bleed and die !
This is not a sweet happy comic it is horror. The art work is wonderfully evil, filled with horrible faces. You can feel the malevole ...more
This is not a sweet happy comic it is horror. The art work is wonderfully evil, filled with horrible faces. You can feel the malevole ...more
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Joe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He also writes short stories. Some of them were gathered together i ...more
More about Joe Hill...
He also writes short stories. Some of them were gathered together i ...more
Other Books in the Series
Welcome to Christmasland
(6 books)
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