by Clive Barker

This story was the basis for the movie, Nightbreed, which I've seen many times. Normally I don't like serial killer stories, but the emphasis that interested me is the 'monsters' of Midian.

The story started out with the same premise as the movie; Boone is seeing a psychiatrist who shows him pictures of grisly murders and eventually Boone accepts that during his blackouts, he's committing these murders. But there is a supernatural aspect to it, a quest to find a place called Midian, where the monsters dwell. In a mental asylum, Boone meets another inmate who knows about Midian and gives him clues how to find it.

As I hoped, the book basically followed the same story as the movie, though the later parts were expanded and the book was able to better explain what happened underground. There were a couple of unexpected sexual scenes that didn't really advance the story, but most of it focused on the conflict between Midian and the local town police.

Towards the end there is some wonderfully contrasting prose, showing the beauty of the world of 'monsters' as opposed to the ugliness of the serial killer and the motivations that drive him. I think the ending was basically the same as the movie but the book allowed more explanation, so now I want to see the movie again with this deeper level of understanding.

For a Clive Barker fan, I've just never gotten into the whole Nightbreed franchise: it just never spoke to me.   This, however, did.   Maybe it was the gorgeous art, maybe it was just that I love graphic novels, or maybe it was because this felt so very human.   This is intertwining stories of the Nightbreed before they find Midian, of a mother trying to save her stolen child, of a man who might be their savior, of a priest who kills sinners - and now has his sight set on the 'monsters' of Midian.    It's the story of a runaway slave turned by another of the Nightbreed.  

And it's all utterly compelling.  I forgot I had so little left, so when a story was promised - and then it was to be continued in volume two, I nearly swore out loud.   

I guess I'll have to continue with this series, then.   Maybe after I knock out some more Humble Bundle graphic novels.

Really, really loving this.   Like so much.   But I have to head out now, because library returns, comic books, yarn store, getting books for my mom, then to the hospital again. 

I tend to stay about eight hours a day on a day when I have nothing else going on, and on other days I either work/leave when I'm ordered to leave.   Because as I'm told, I have to have a life.   (Some days I'd rather just sit and read, though, sighs.)

Anyway, yeah, I'll pick this up at the hospital. 

ETA: I'm very attentive at the hospital, but I've been told I'm one of the most welcome guests because when things get tiring, I sit and read instead of forcing anything.   There's a lot of time to sit and read, sadly.