Crownsville gives smart and stylish treatment to several difficult topics - trauma, rage, social injustice - in this compelling horror graphic novel. The graphic novel to recommend for fans of Tanarive Due, Victor LaValle etc.

Crownsville was a fantastic Own Voices horror novel that has a tightly woven and high octane story that remains human throughout. The colouring and art style are beautifully suited to the narrative and really aid in the story telling. The characters are incredibly human and you cannot help but get invested in the story due to this. The other thing I loved was the ‘bad’ guys in this one don’t become redeemed, you don’t feel sorry for them which is always a good sign of a great villain. This is a fantastic horror and poignant too.

Crownsville is a haunting and poignant blend of historical fiction with supernatural horror. Rodney Barnes and Elia Bonetti craft a tale that's a chilling, terrifying, and thought-provoking exploration of trauma, injustice, and the ghosts that refuse to stay buried.

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 is rooted in historical atrocity and wrapped in a supernatural horror. I expected a lot heading into this series with Barnes at the helm and was not wrong. Barnes uses creepy horror to leverage the forgotten legacy of the real-life segregated psychiatric institution outside Annapolis, Maryland.

While the series is filled with interesting characters,  it's Crownsville the building which is the most impactful of them all. Crownsville is more than just a backdrop but almost a living and breathing entity, adding even more of an unsettling vibe. The decaying hospital becomes a symbol and the ghosts are both literal and metaphorical.

The intentional use of real-life horrors within a fictional story makes for such an impactful read. When you blur the lines between the real-life institutional abuse of Black mental-health patients and the fictional world you get a truly terrifying tale. A thought-provoking and impactful story, while also entertaining.

Barnes really grabs my attention with the story at hand, but it's Bonetti's art which is the standout here. The visuals give a sense of decay, emptiness, and unease which fits the tale so well. The sketchy and gritty art style adds a sense of horror to the pages that goes beyond just the word bubbles and immerses us within the story. With such dense tone, Bonetti's art conveys what is felt more than what is said.

Crownsville is one of those horror series that stays with you. Writer Rodney Barnes and artist Elia Bonetti take real-life history and blend it with supernatural horror so if feels creepy, unsettling, and leaves a lasting impact. Crownsville is a chilling and thought-provoking horror that proves that sometimes the scariest things are rooted in reality.

Format: e-ARC via NetGalley & Publisher
Themes & Messgaes: 4/5
Story Overall: 5/5
Art & Design: 5/5
Dialogue: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5

I loved this! As a huge non fiction reader, I appreciated the immediate shoutout to Antonia Hylton’s book MADNESS and the research of Janice Hayes-Williams that contributed to this story. I’m always a fan of historical fiction especially in this medium and in the horror genre. The author and artist of CROWNSVILLE didn’t miss a beat in turning a not so well known piece of history into something paranormal, scarily entertaining, and vividly palpable.

CROWNSVILLE follows the story of a reporter and a detective, both at the end of their careers. Upon the death of his mother, our reporter learns that his mom was a nurse at the abandoned CROWNSVILLE asylum many years ago when experiments were done on the children. Realizing he can’t let this story go untold, he reaches out to his detective friend and work together moment to take on a story that has deeply affected their community and been hidden for too long.

The artwork works hand in hand with the story here. It borders on noir and perfectly captures the haunting presence that gets emboldened page after page. Additionally, there’s a visual darkness that lingers through the entire book that further communicates to readers that nothing is over just yet.

I truly can’t wait to pick up a physical copy of CROWNSVILLE when it releases in August. There’s a lot of potential for where the story can go and just how far the damage of the kidnapping & experiments extends. Barnes did a great job introducing us to this community and its secrets. With the way this one ended, I know there’s more to be unearthed, and even more to be afraid of.

Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC. All thoughts are my own🖤

I have been looking forward to reading this book since I spotted an issue at my local comic book store. I knew it would be heavy based on the description but it was a hard read, given that much of the comic is based on real history. The art is gorgeous, it almost looked like it was based on photographs. Extremely detailed. As an avid horror reader, I wouldn't say this comic was scary as much as disturbing to think about. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with added on horror, and influenced by real life events.

Read in one sitting, SO GOOD!

I'm not a huge graphic novel reader, this drawing style is giving traditional american comics and follows two black men who led by personal history and friendship visit a long time closed asylum for black people where atrocities may have been commited on children. With this simple concept and a gorgeous use of light and colour, Barnes tackles the subject of generational trauma, and corrupted government perfectly. This short horror story really resonated with me. It's vivid and haunting, quite literally! The ending felt a little rushed but besides that it's really good! Do recommend checking it out!

I just finished my very first graphic novel, and wow! what a way to start! Crownsville completely gripped me from the moment I picked it up.

First, can we talk about this cover? It is hauntingly beautiful. The black-and-white tile design perfectly captures the essence of the story, and it leaves so much room for interpretation depending on how you look at it. Elia Bonetti's illustrations are absolutely evocative. They blend so seamlessly with the plot, capturing the heavy atmosphere and raw emotions perfectly. To put it simply: you know how a good setting spray locks your makeup in place all day? That’s exactly what the artwork does for this story. It locks the mood in perfectly. Incredible talent!

And as for the story, I loved how straight-to-the-point this was. No beating around the bush, it dives right into the action and gives you exactly what you're looking for. Because it's rooted in the dark history of a real-world setting, it definitely gave me a bit of heartache. Even though it's fiction, it reminds you of real-life tragedies,how vulnerable people are abused, the pain of losing a parent, and systemic neglect. The way Rodney Barnes wove these themes together was beautiful.

If I had one minor letdown,and keep in mind, I am totally new to the graphic novel format! it's just that it felt a bit too short. I was left craving more details! The story wrapped up so fast that I felt a little teased; I desperately wanted more pages to dive deeper into the lore and get to know the characters better. Detective Mike, Paul, Todd, and even Montana (who was such a fun character despite the short page time) all deserve even more spotlight because they're so interesting. That being said, being left wanting more is honestly a testament to how good the world-building is. I'm incredibly proud that this was my first dive into graphic novels. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am 100% grabbing a physical copy for my shelves once it officially drops!

If you love atmosphere-driven horror with historical weight and stunning art, definitely add this to your TBR.

Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC 🫶