LOVECRAFT: UNKNOWN KADATH #2, from Ablaze Publishing on October 26th, 2022, follows Randolph Carter’s quest to find Kadath by escaping the Toad-Things from the Moon with the help of the Cat from Ulthar.
The Details
- Written by: Florentino Flórez (adapted from the work of the same name by H.P. Lovecraft)
- Art by: Jacques Salomon
- Colors by: Jacques Salomon
- Letters by: Saida Temofonte
- Cover art by: Jacques Salomon (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 26, 2022
Is It Good?
Well, this is the part where things get a little tricky. The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath has moments of pure trippiness that make sense in a dream world. When you read the story, it helps to filter the words through a surreal lens, which was Lovecraft’s intention. Translating Lovecraft’s words into comic form without the benefit of that surreal lens may achieve the desired result from some and not others.
That said, this is an effective and thoughtful adaptation of Lovecraft’s original story.
As with the first issue, Flórez captures the spirit and major plot points of the original work to maintain the story’s integrity without bogging the visuals down in excess narration. As far as adapting one of Lovecraft’s most challenging stories, this comic is as good as you could hope for.
However, this is an adaptation of prose, so the lion’s share of the work falls on the art team to bring the story to life, and they do so admirably, albeit not perfectly. The character designs for the Toad-Things and night gaunts are remarkably faithful. Better still, the contrast between the simple, innocent cats and the damage they cause during the battle is a key part of how well the art captures the surreal tone of the story.
The minor down point in the art is the rough, oil painting style of the inks and colors. In firelit rooms and moonlit trails, the rough inks add to the shadows for effective visuals. In bright, open scenes, the inks look a little rough. Again, this style may work for some but not others, so your mileage may vary.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Checkout our LOVECRAFT: UNKNOWN KADATH #1 review to find out how Randolph Carter was captured by the Toad-Things.
We begin with Randolph Carter as he’s bound and led off the ship of the Toad-Things to be sacrificed on the moon. Seeing Carter’s distress, the Cat from Ulthar and his fellow cats charge to the rescue to destroy the Toad-Things. Before they leave the moon, the cats offer to take Carter wherever he wishes, and he requests to be dropped off near the Isle of Oriab.
Carter is dropped off by the cats, but the Cat from Ulthar chooses to stay with Carter as a traveling companion as he seeks out information about the Isle’s mountain where the Dream Gods are said to live. Carter and the Cat from Ulthar split up to find information throughout the town as to how to scale the mountain and what dangers it may contain along the way.
We conclude the issue with dire warnings, a treacherous climb, and flying horrors.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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LOVECRAFT: UNKNOWN KADATH #2 is another successful chapter adapting one of Lovecraft’s most surreal works. The pacing, dialog, and plot points keep the spirit of the original story without bogging down the visual in excessive narration. The art captures the look of the creatures and the mood of the setting beautifully.
Related Information
Where does the Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath take place?
The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath takes place in the world all humanity visits in their dreams. It is place populated by people, animals, monsters, and gods, but it can only be reached while a human sleeps.
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