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Helen of Wyndhorn
Helen of Wyndhorn
A gothic sword and sorcery epic graphic novel that’s Conan the Barbarian meets The Wizard of Oz.
From Tom King and Bilquis Evely, the Eisner award-winning, bestselling creative team of Woman of Tomorrow.
Following the tragic death of her late father C.K. Cole, the esteemed pulp writer and creator of the popular warrior character Othan, Helen Cole is called back to her Grandfather's enormous and illustrious estate, Wyndhorn House.
Scarred by Cole's untimely passing and lost in a new, strange world, Helen wreaks drunken havoc upon her arrival. However, her chaotic ways begin to soften as she discovers a lifetime of secrets hiding within the myriad rooms and hallways of the expansive manor. For outside its walls, within the woods, dwell the legendary adventures that once were locked away within her father’s stories.
Collects the hit series Helen of Wyndhorn #1–#6 and features a sketchbook section and bonus art by Walt Simonson, Greg Smallwood, Clay Mann, Elsa Charretier, Tula Lotay, Massimo Carnivale, Fabio Moon, and Jill Thompson.
From Tom King and Bilquis Evely, the Eisner award-winning, bestselling creative team of Woman of Tomorrow.
Following the tragic death of her late father C.K. Cole, the esteemed pulp writer and creator of the popular warrior character Othan, Helen Cole is called back to her Grandfather's enormous and illustrious estate, Wyndhorn House.
Scarred by Cole's untimely passing and lost in a new, strange world, Helen wreaks drunken havoc upon her arrival. However, her chaotic ways begin to soften as she discovers a lifetime of secrets hiding within the myriad rooms and hallways of the expansive manor. For outside its walls, within the woods, dwell the legendary adventures that once were locked away within her father’s stories.
Collects the hit series Helen of Wyndhorn #1–#6 and features a sketchbook section and bonus art by Walt Simonson, Greg Smallwood, Clay Mann, Elsa Charretier, Tula Lotay, Massimo Carnivale, Fabio Moon, and Jill Thompson.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
March 31, 2025
Worth the price of admission for Evely's artwork alone, Helen of Wyndhorn is a delightfully thought-provoking mashup of pulp and gothic, with King's characteristically poignant prose and psychological insights adding depth to the story.
I'm of two minds on what the ending means, but, well, if I'm only of two minds on something, it's a pretty good day, given how many minds I usually have going.
I'm of two minds on what the ending means, but, well, if I'm only of two minds on something, it's a pretty good day, given how many minds I usually have going.
August 24, 2025
Helen de Wyndhorn é uma história incrível de fantasia, que vai além do gênero de espada e feitiçaria, se tornando uma aventura épica que trabalha muito bem o sentimento dos personagens e as relações humanas entre ele. E somando todos esse elementos, o quadrinho se torna uma excelente carta de amor ao gênero de fantasia, e uma homenagem ao criador de Conan (que por não ser fã do personagem, não consigo ir muito a fundo nesse quesito.)
Na obra, somos apresentados inicialmente a Lilith, uma mulher que fora contratada por Barbanas (avo de Helen e seu atual responsável), para que ela cuide da educação de Helen, tendo em vista que o pai da garota acabou de falecer. Ao ser contratada, no entanto, Lilith precisa encontrar com Helen, uma jovem de 16 anos, alcoólatra, fumante e inconsequente; e logo na primeira cena em que a vemos, ela está presa e precisa ser solta por Lilith.
Após sair da prisão, as duas partem para a mansão de Wyndhorn, local em que o avô de Helen mora, e que agora também será sua casa. É engraçado ver a reação da garota ao chegar ao local, pois a vida que ela levava com seu pai era muitas vezes insalubre, o total oposto dessa imensa moradia que agora irá frequentar.
Nesse primeiro momento, vemos que Helen vive a base da bebida, lamentando a perda de seu pai e sem proposito para a sua vida, ela não possui mais um objetivo após o falecimento de seu pai, o qual era um escritor famoso que ela acompanhava durante suas viagens.
Tudo isso muda, e ganha um tom de curiosidade, quando Helen é atacada por uma criatura estranha do lado de fora da mansão. Um monstro que lembra um lobisomem a ataca junto de Lilith, mas ambas são salvas por Barnabas, sendo esse o momento em que ele aparece pela primeira vez na trama, pois retorna de uma viagem. Após o incidente, a jovem não descansa até seu avô contar o que era aquela criatura, mas ele é um homem de poucas palavras, e resiste em conversar sobre isso com a jovem. No entanto, após muita persistência, Barnabas leva a garota para além da floresta, em um local onde atravessando as arvores e falando com uma bruxa, os personagens chegam ao outro mundo, o mundo de fantasia em que Barnabas vive constantemente viajando, local de onde a criatura que atacara Helen e Lilith veio.
Nesse momento, referências como Narnia, The Witcher e Senhor dos Anéis passam na cabeça do leitor sem hesitar, pois com os desenhos da Bilquis e cores do Mat Lopes, esse mundo épico e de fantasia parecem ganhar vida. Assim, Helen, que era muito resistente aos ensinamentos de Lilith, demonstrando zero interesse em aprender, começa a desenvolver empolgação com o novo mundo, ganhando um proposito novamente.
Em sequência, tendo em vista que o mundo fantasioso exige combate e resistência, a garota pede para ser ensinada, para não depender de seu avô nos combates. Dessa forma, Barnabas pede ao mordomo da casa que a treine. Após 1 ano de árduo treinamento, ela aprende a usar um machado e se torna uma guerreira apta a enfrentar o mundo novo com seu avô.
A partir desse momento, as aventuras nesse mundo novo se tornam mais recorrentes, e o quadrinho foca em mostrar essa relação de Helen com seu avô, até o momento que algo ocorre e toda essa dinâmica é rompida.
Ir além desse ponto, pode conter spoilers, portanto, vou focar em falar agora das reflexões que tive ao longo da HQ, distanciando dos acontecimentos da história. Dessa forma, o quadrinho não se resume apenas a uma fantasia, e se torna uma história sobre família, sentimento, ter proposito na vida, perda, legado e até mesmo sobre oralidade.
Com base no desenvolvimento dos personagens, principalmente a relação de Helen com seu avô, Tom King trabalha muito bem o que tange o reconhecimento, ou seja, o avô reconhecendo Helen como sua neta, herdeira e parceira de aventuras, demonstrando que se importa com ela mesmo não sendo um homem de palavra, preferindo a ação para demonstrar afeto.
Em relação a Helen e seu pai, mesmo não estando presente na HQ fisicamente, o pai de Helen é citado diversas vezes, não apenas por ter falecido pouco antes do começo da história, mas também por ter sido um escritor famoso. E nesse ponto, é muito interessante ver o desenvolvimento da trama traçando um paralelo entre os livros que ele criava e o mundo novo de fantasia, é algo que “explode a cabeça” quando desenvolvido.
Além disso, é possível trabalhar a questão do legado entre familiares e o que herdamos de nossos pais, tendo em vista Barnabas, seu filho e Helen. Os três possuem problemas com bebidas, o que é escancarado, mas indo mais a fundo, é possível identificar elementos de somos um reflexo de nossos pais ou moldamos nossas ações e nossa vida? De início, podemos notar semelhança entre Helen e seu pai, mas conforme a trama avança e ela conhece mais a respeito de seu pai – da vida prévia dele, antes de Helen nascer – é possível ver que o pai foi se transformando, trabalhando também o legado dos personagens.
Em determinados momentos da HQ, também somos levados a refletir sobre o sentido da vida. A perda de um familiar é algo que impede a nossa existência? É algo que nos impede de viver e tira nosso propósito? Helen é um reflexo da perda de um ente querido, que a todo momento está lidando com o luto. A partir do momento que a garota descobre o mundo da fantasia, é impossível não associar isso a nosso cotidiano, quando “escapamos” para uma série, um filme, um jogo ou algo desse tipo para espairecer a mente. O mundo novo, onde Helen era uma guerreira, se tornou um escape da realidade que ela vivia até então, dando um novo proposito para sua vida, e pode ser visto como um paralelo de nossas vidas quando escapamos para esses mundos fantasiosos.
Ademais, não mencionar a escolha narrativa para contar essa história. Nesse âmbito, Tom King escolheu contar a história a partir de uma narração, sendo que a Lilith é a narradora da história em maior parte do tempo, com breves momentos em que Helen assume esse papel. Essa característica de narrativa fica mais interessante, pois a narração de Lilith é para um jornalista que está escrevendo uma biografia do pai de Helen, ou seja, estamos acompanhando uma história do passado sendo contada em tempos atuais, por uma mulher que viveu com Lilith e “vivenciou” essas aventuras do outro mundo por meio de histórias que a Helen lhe contava. Assim, estamos ouvindo uma história que outrora também foi uma história.
Assim, após finalizar a trama, fiquei pensando nesse fato de histórias sendo contadas de uma pessoa para a outra com a perspectiva da oralidade, sendo uma forma de transmitir a cultura através das gerações por meio das palavras, a qual é utilizada por povos que não possuem escrita. Dessa forma, o poder das histórias narradas é transmitir algo que se tornará um legado e irá sobreviver ao longo dos isso. E se tratando de Helen de Wyndhorn, com base no que acompanhamos do que ocorreu com os livros do pai de Helen, bem como as fitas das entrevistas de Lilith, acredito que essa história será ainda mais explorada.
Na obra, somos apresentados inicialmente a Lilith, uma mulher que fora contratada por Barbanas (avo de Helen e seu atual responsável), para que ela cuide da educação de Helen, tendo em vista que o pai da garota acabou de falecer. Ao ser contratada, no entanto, Lilith precisa encontrar com Helen, uma jovem de 16 anos, alcoólatra, fumante e inconsequente; e logo na primeira cena em que a vemos, ela está presa e precisa ser solta por Lilith.
Após sair da prisão, as duas partem para a mansão de Wyndhorn, local em que o avô de Helen mora, e que agora também será sua casa. É engraçado ver a reação da garota ao chegar ao local, pois a vida que ela levava com seu pai era muitas vezes insalubre, o total oposto dessa imensa moradia que agora irá frequentar.
Nesse primeiro momento, vemos que Helen vive a base da bebida, lamentando a perda de seu pai e sem proposito para a sua vida, ela não possui mais um objetivo após o falecimento de seu pai, o qual era um escritor famoso que ela acompanhava durante suas viagens.
Tudo isso muda, e ganha um tom de curiosidade, quando Helen é atacada por uma criatura estranha do lado de fora da mansão. Um monstro que lembra um lobisomem a ataca junto de Lilith, mas ambas são salvas por Barnabas, sendo esse o momento em que ele aparece pela primeira vez na trama, pois retorna de uma viagem. Após o incidente, a jovem não descansa até seu avô contar o que era aquela criatura, mas ele é um homem de poucas palavras, e resiste em conversar sobre isso com a jovem. No entanto, após muita persistência, Barnabas leva a garota para além da floresta, em um local onde atravessando as arvores e falando com uma bruxa, os personagens chegam ao outro mundo, o mundo de fantasia em que Barnabas vive constantemente viajando, local de onde a criatura que atacara Helen e Lilith veio.
Nesse momento, referências como Narnia, The Witcher e Senhor dos Anéis passam na cabeça do leitor sem hesitar, pois com os desenhos da Bilquis e cores do Mat Lopes, esse mundo épico e de fantasia parecem ganhar vida. Assim, Helen, que era muito resistente aos ensinamentos de Lilith, demonstrando zero interesse em aprender, começa a desenvolver empolgação com o novo mundo, ganhando um proposito novamente.
Em sequência, tendo em vista que o mundo fantasioso exige combate e resistência, a garota pede para ser ensinada, para não depender de seu avô nos combates. Dessa forma, Barnabas pede ao mordomo da casa que a treine. Após 1 ano de árduo treinamento, ela aprende a usar um machado e se torna uma guerreira apta a enfrentar o mundo novo com seu avô.
A partir desse momento, as aventuras nesse mundo novo se tornam mais recorrentes, e o quadrinho foca em mostrar essa relação de Helen com seu avô, até o momento que algo ocorre e toda essa dinâmica é rompida.
Ir além desse ponto, pode conter spoilers, portanto, vou focar em falar agora das reflexões que tive ao longo da HQ, distanciando dos acontecimentos da história. Dessa forma, o quadrinho não se resume apenas a uma fantasia, e se torna uma história sobre família, sentimento, ter proposito na vida, perda, legado e até mesmo sobre oralidade.
Com base no desenvolvimento dos personagens, principalmente a relação de Helen com seu avô, Tom King trabalha muito bem o que tange o reconhecimento, ou seja, o avô reconhecendo Helen como sua neta, herdeira e parceira de aventuras, demonstrando que se importa com ela mesmo não sendo um homem de palavra, preferindo a ação para demonstrar afeto.
Em relação a Helen e seu pai, mesmo não estando presente na HQ fisicamente, o pai de Helen é citado diversas vezes, não apenas por ter falecido pouco antes do começo da história, mas também por ter sido um escritor famoso. E nesse ponto, é muito interessante ver o desenvolvimento da trama traçando um paralelo entre os livros que ele criava e o mundo novo de fantasia, é algo que “explode a cabeça” quando desenvolvido.
Além disso, é possível trabalhar a questão do legado entre familiares e o que herdamos de nossos pais, tendo em vista Barnabas, seu filho e Helen. Os três possuem problemas com bebidas, o que é escancarado, mas indo mais a fundo, é possível identificar elementos de somos um reflexo de nossos pais ou moldamos nossas ações e nossa vida? De início, podemos notar semelhança entre Helen e seu pai, mas conforme a trama avança e ela conhece mais a respeito de seu pai – da vida prévia dele, antes de Helen nascer – é possível ver que o pai foi se transformando, trabalhando também o legado dos personagens.
Em determinados momentos da HQ, também somos levados a refletir sobre o sentido da vida. A perda de um familiar é algo que impede a nossa existência? É algo que nos impede de viver e tira nosso propósito? Helen é um reflexo da perda de um ente querido, que a todo momento está lidando com o luto. A partir do momento que a garota descobre o mundo da fantasia, é impossível não associar isso a nosso cotidiano, quando “escapamos” para uma série, um filme, um jogo ou algo desse tipo para espairecer a mente. O mundo novo, onde Helen era uma guerreira, se tornou um escape da realidade que ela vivia até então, dando um novo proposito para sua vida, e pode ser visto como um paralelo de nossas vidas quando escapamos para esses mundos fantasiosos.
Ademais, não mencionar a escolha narrativa para contar essa história. Nesse âmbito, Tom King escolheu contar a história a partir de uma narração, sendo que a Lilith é a narradora da história em maior parte do tempo, com breves momentos em que Helen assume esse papel. Essa característica de narrativa fica mais interessante, pois a narração de Lilith é para um jornalista que está escrevendo uma biografia do pai de Helen, ou seja, estamos acompanhando uma história do passado sendo contada em tempos atuais, por uma mulher que viveu com Lilith e “vivenciou” essas aventuras do outro mundo por meio de histórias que a Helen lhe contava. Assim, estamos ouvindo uma história que outrora também foi uma história.
Assim, após finalizar a trama, fiquei pensando nesse fato de histórias sendo contadas de uma pessoa para a outra com a perspectiva da oralidade, sendo uma forma de transmitir a cultura através das gerações por meio das palavras, a qual é utilizada por povos que não possuem escrita. Dessa forma, o poder das histórias narradas é transmitir algo que se tornará um legado e irá sobreviver ao longo dos isso. E se tratando de Helen de Wyndhorn, com base no que acompanhamos do que ocorreu com os livros do pai de Helen, bem como as fitas das entrevistas de Lilith, acredito que essa história será ainda mais explorada.
August 29, 2025
Não sendo eu uma moça fã de monstros e de coisas do fantástico, tenho de admitir que esta obra está muito bem apanhada. Os desenhos e as cores são excelentes e o argumento também é bastante original.
September 25, 2025
PT A protagonista é Helen, filha de um escritor que só alcançou fama após a sua morte, deixando no entanto uma aura de mistério em torno desse acontecimento. Após o falecimento do pai, Helen recebe um convite do avô para visitar a mansão da família — e é aí que todo o enredo começa a desenrolar-se.
À primeira vista, esta introdução pode sugerir que não há muito espaço para fantasia, mas isso é apenas uma ilusão: à medida que Helen descobre as suas origens, elementos fantásticos multiplicam-se e ganham forma.
A leitura é densa e fortemente marcada pela narração, o que poderá não agradar a todos. No entanto, a escrita de Tom King é tão envolvente que nos mantém presos ao mistério do início ao fim. Ao contrário de outras obras em que a narrativa pouco acrescenta às ilustrações, aqui toda a trama é conduzida por ela, cabendo às imagens fornecer a atmosfera necessária para nos manter enraizados na história.
No desfecho, não encontramos todas as respostas que procurávamos — funciona quase como uma história de origem. Ainda assim, a narrativa mantém-se coesa do princípio ao fim e deixa-nos a refletir sobre a possibilidade de que cada um de nós tenha um destino próprio, que nos pode fazer sentir desenquadrados até encontrarmos o nosso verdadeiro propósito.
Uma excelente história de fantasia, com um subtexto de carácter filosófico.
--
EN The protagonist is Helen, daughter of a writer who only achieved fame after his death, leaving behind an aura of mystery surrounding the circumstances of it. After her father’s passing, Helen receives an invitation from her grandfather to visit the family mansion — and it’s there that the plot begins to unfold.
At first glance, this introduction may suggest there isn’t much room for fantasy, but that’s only an illusion: as Helen uncovers her origins, fantastic elements multiply and take shape.
The reading is dense and heavily marked by narration, which may not appeal to everyone. However, Tom King’s writing is so engaging that it keeps us hooked on the mystery from start to finish. Unlike other works where the narrative adds little to the illustrations, here the entire story is driven by it, while the artwork provides the atmosphere that grounds us in the tale.
By the end, we don’t get all the answers we were hoping for — it almost works as an origin story. Still, the narrative remains cohesive from beginning to end and leaves us reflecting on the idea that each of us may have a destiny of our own, one that can make us feel out of place until we discover our true purpose.
An excellent fantasy story, with a philosophical undertone.
À primeira vista, esta introdução pode sugerir que não há muito espaço para fantasia, mas isso é apenas uma ilusão: à medida que Helen descobre as suas origens, elementos fantásticos multiplicam-se e ganham forma.
A leitura é densa e fortemente marcada pela narração, o que poderá não agradar a todos. No entanto, a escrita de Tom King é tão envolvente que nos mantém presos ao mistério do início ao fim. Ao contrário de outras obras em que a narrativa pouco acrescenta às ilustrações, aqui toda a trama é conduzida por ela, cabendo às imagens fornecer a atmosfera necessária para nos manter enraizados na história.
No desfecho, não encontramos todas as respostas que procurávamos — funciona quase como uma história de origem. Ainda assim, a narrativa mantém-se coesa do princípio ao fim e deixa-nos a refletir sobre a possibilidade de que cada um de nós tenha um destino próprio, que nos pode fazer sentir desenquadrados até encontrarmos o nosso verdadeiro propósito.
Uma excelente história de fantasia, com um subtexto de carácter filosófico.
--
EN The protagonist is Helen, daughter of a writer who only achieved fame after his death, leaving behind an aura of mystery surrounding the circumstances of it. After her father’s passing, Helen receives an invitation from her grandfather to visit the family mansion — and it’s there that the plot begins to unfold.
At first glance, this introduction may suggest there isn’t much room for fantasy, but that’s only an illusion: as Helen uncovers her origins, fantastic elements multiply and take shape.
The reading is dense and heavily marked by narration, which may not appeal to everyone. However, Tom King’s writing is so engaging that it keeps us hooked on the mystery from start to finish. Unlike other works where the narrative adds little to the illustrations, here the entire story is driven by it, while the artwork provides the atmosphere that grounds us in the tale.
By the end, we don’t get all the answers we were hoping for — it almost works as an origin story. Still, the narrative remains cohesive from beginning to end and leaves us reflecting on the idea that each of us may have a destiny of our own, one that can make us feel out of place until we discover our true purpose.
An excellent fantasy story, with a philosophical undertone.
March 10, 2025
Look, cards on the table, I'd have read this even if it didn't have any words, because the artwork is beautiful. Bilquis Evely's lines have a timeless quality to them, managing to capture the pulp nature of this book while weaving in some truly terrifying fantasy at points too.
But the story is quite good as well. Tom King paints Helen's pain in broad strokes, but we only ever see her through the eyes of others, so it makes sense in that way. There's a lot of words as is King's remit these days, but they're never wasted. I did find the ending a little abrupt, I thought there'd be some more closure on certain points, but I had a lot of fun with this regardless.
But the story is quite good as well. Tom King paints Helen's pain in broad strokes, but we only ever see her through the eyes of others, so it makes sense in that way. There's a lot of words as is King's remit these days, but they're never wasted. I did find the ending a little abrupt, I thought there'd be some more closure on certain points, but I had a lot of fun with this regardless.
October 26, 2025
A wavering thumbs up.
Tom King starts strong in this story that pays tribute to Robert E. Howard and his Conan the Barbarian tales.
Helen Cole is the teenage daughter of a writer who has taken his own life in Texas after a brief career spinning yarns about the barbarian warrior Othan. Her secretive and aloof grandfather has the orphan whisked off to his estate, Wyndhorn, by the governess who narrates much of the story. At the mansion, Helen is lost in a self-destructive spiral of drinking until her grandfather reveals her legacy and the link to the world of swords and sorcery about which her father wrote.
The balance between a family torn by grief and a lack of communication and a world of fantastic adventure is maintained fairly well through the first half, but about the time a secondary narrator becomes embedded in the first, the thin story begins to stretch close to the breaking point. The modern-day framing sequence also begins to meander and peter out without much reason to justify its existence.
Two fewer issues, and this would be a rock-solid book. But I still got enough out of the imperfect gem it is.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Helen of Wyndhorn, Chapters 1-6 / Tom King, writer; Bilquis Evely, illustrator -- [Variant Cover Gallery] / Tula Lotay, Elsa Charretier, Massimo Carnevale, Clay Mann, Walt Simonson, Greg Smallwood, Fábio Moon, Jill Thompson, Gabriel Hernández Walta, David Mack, illustrators -- Sketchbook / Bilquis Evely, writer and illustrator
Tom King starts strong in this story that pays tribute to Robert E. Howard and his Conan the Barbarian tales.
Helen Cole is the teenage daughter of a writer who has taken his own life in Texas after a brief career spinning yarns about the barbarian warrior Othan. Her secretive and aloof grandfather has the orphan whisked off to his estate, Wyndhorn, by the governess who narrates much of the story. At the mansion, Helen is lost in a self-destructive spiral of drinking until her grandfather reveals her legacy and the link to the world of swords and sorcery about which her father wrote.
The balance between a family torn by grief and a lack of communication and a world of fantastic adventure is maintained fairly well through the first half, but about the time a secondary narrator becomes embedded in the first, the thin story begins to stretch close to the breaking point. The modern-day framing sequence also begins to meander and peter out without much reason to justify its existence.
Two fewer issues, and this would be a rock-solid book. But I still got enough out of the imperfect gem it is.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Helen of Wyndhorn, Chapters 1-6 / Tom King, writer; Bilquis Evely, illustrator -- [Variant Cover Gallery] / Tula Lotay, Elsa Charretier, Massimo Carnevale, Clay Mann, Walt Simonson, Greg Smallwood, Fábio Moon, Jill Thompson, Gabriel Hernández Walta, David Mack, illustrators -- Sketchbook / Bilquis Evely, writer and illustrator
February 3, 2026
Beautiful artwork!
July 26, 2025
There is a real WOW factor to it!
Gorgeous graphic art and daring storytelling remind me here why I keep reading comic book adventures. If the story can be wrapped up in a limited edition, without spin-offs or tie-ins, all the better. This particular six issue offer from Dark Horse Publishing pays homage to the golden era of pulp magazines, to the brawny sword & sorcery barbarian epics of Robert E Howard, Fritz Leiber or Michael Moorcock
I was unfamiliar with the work of Tom King, despite him being one of the biggest names in the industry today. This is due to the fact that I normally stay away from big name, Marvel and DC, superhero comics. But I do love the style of Bilquis Evely and this was the main reason I ordered her new project. Previously, I have read The Dreaming Vol. 1: Pathways and Emanations, set in the Sandman universe created by Neil Gaiman with artwork by Bilquis Evely. It turns out Helen of Wyndhorn is a similar kind of story about portals to imaginary worlds and magical houses that sit on the threshold between reality and dreams.
Speaking of magical mansions, I feel I should also add one of my all time favorites here with a similar premise and similar gothic / horror vibes: Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
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So, who is Helen of Wyndhorn?
She is a young girl treating her depression after her father’s suicide with alcohol and anti-social behaviour. Her father, C. K. Cole , was an unsuccessful author of pulp adventures featuring a barbarian hero fighting hordes of monsters in a fantasy setting. He and Helen led a vagabond and often penniless existence, moving from one cheap lodging to another.
Helen is summoned back to the family mansion of Wyndhorn by a prim and proper English governess and tutor, where she continues to drink heavily and sulk until both a terrible monster and her grandfather choose to make a spectacular entrance into the story.
Suddenly, the stories written by her father C K Cole turn from fiction into a crazy and exhilarating journey into another universe, peopled with monsters and gods, pirates and buried treasure, danger and wonder at every turn of the road.
I will not try to detail every step of this perilous journey Helen and her grandfather undertake. The only thing worth adding here is the framing story imagined by Tom King, who introduces each issue through interviews with successive witnesses or guardians of the taped interviews about the life of C K Cole and Helen.
This metafictional device grants an added, literary dimension to the story along the lines of the Hero’s Journey in Joseph Campbell’s comparative mythology – a good story deserves to be rescued from oblivion and passed on to a new generation of dreamers.
Gorgeous graphic art and daring storytelling remind me here why I keep reading comic book adventures. If the story can be wrapped up in a limited edition, without spin-offs or tie-ins, all the better. This particular six issue offer from Dark Horse Publishing pays homage to the golden era of pulp magazines, to the brawny sword & sorcery barbarian epics of Robert E Howard, Fritz Leiber or Michael Moorcock
I was unfamiliar with the work of Tom King, despite him being one of the biggest names in the industry today. This is due to the fact that I normally stay away from big name, Marvel and DC, superhero comics. But I do love the style of Bilquis Evely and this was the main reason I ordered her new project. Previously, I have read The Dreaming Vol. 1: Pathways and Emanations, set in the Sandman universe created by Neil Gaiman with artwork by Bilquis Evely. It turns out Helen of Wyndhorn is a similar kind of story about portals to imaginary worlds and magical houses that sit on the threshold between reality and dreams.
Speaking of magical mansions, I feel I should also add one of my all time favorites here with a similar premise and similar gothic / horror vibes: Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
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So, who is Helen of Wyndhorn?
She is a young girl treating her depression after her father’s suicide with alcohol and anti-social behaviour. Her father, C. K. Cole , was an unsuccessful author of pulp adventures featuring a barbarian hero fighting hordes of monsters in a fantasy setting. He and Helen led a vagabond and often penniless existence, moving from one cheap lodging to another.
Helen is summoned back to the family mansion of Wyndhorn by a prim and proper English governess and tutor, where she continues to drink heavily and sulk until both a terrible monster and her grandfather choose to make a spectacular entrance into the story.
Suddenly, the stories written by her father C K Cole turn from fiction into a crazy and exhilarating journey into another universe, peopled with monsters and gods, pirates and buried treasure, danger and wonder at every turn of the road.
I will not try to detail every step of this perilous journey Helen and her grandfather undertake. The only thing worth adding here is the framing story imagined by Tom King, who introduces each issue through interviews with successive witnesses or guardians of the taped interviews about the life of C K Cole and Helen.
This metafictional device grants an added, literary dimension to the story along the lines of the Hero’s Journey in Joseph Campbell’s comparative mythology – a good story deserves to be rescued from oblivion and passed on to a new generation of dreamers.
June 4, 2025
Helen of Wyndhorn by Tom King and Bilquis Evely is pure magic. From the very first page, it pulls you into a world that feels both mythic and deeply personal. King’s writing is sharp, emotional, and layered with meaning—blending fantasy, grief, and coming-of-age themes with a deft hand.
But it’s Bilquis Evely’s art that elevates this to something truly special. Every panel is a masterpiece—detailed, expressive, and utterly enchanting. The visuals don’t just complement the story; they amplify it, giving weight to the lore and life to the characters in a way that feels timeless.
The blend of ancient myth and emotional realism is striking. It’s rare to find a comic that’s this beautiful and this thoughtful. This feels like a modern fantasy classic in the making. Absolutely loved it.
But it’s Bilquis Evely’s art that elevates this to something truly special. Every panel is a masterpiece—detailed, expressive, and utterly enchanting. The visuals don’t just complement the story; they amplify it, giving weight to the lore and life to the characters in a way that feels timeless.
The blend of ancient myth and emotional realism is striking. It’s rare to find a comic that’s this beautiful and this thoughtful. This feels like a modern fantasy classic in the making. Absolutely loved it.
November 30, 2024
This was...stunning.
I'm going to state right up front that I've never really noticed Bilquis Evely's art before now, but this? This should elevate her to the top of the industry. She draws like Bernie Wrightson, but more angular. There's some other influences in there, but Wrightson's detailed, gorgeous art was the biggest reminder for me. But it's all absolutely her own style and it didn't just make this story...it elevated it.
And Tom King's story was everything I wanted it to be, and more.
This was easily my favourite fantasy read of the entire year. Simply amazing, start to finish.
I'm going to state right up front that I've never really noticed Bilquis Evely's art before now, but this? This should elevate her to the top of the industry. She draws like Bernie Wrightson, but more angular. There's some other influences in there, but Wrightson's detailed, gorgeous art was the biggest reminder for me. But it's all absolutely her own style and it didn't just make this story...it elevated it.
And Tom King's story was everything I wanted it to be, and more.
This was easily my favourite fantasy read of the entire year. Simply amazing, start to finish.
December 26, 2025
C'est la plus belle bande dessinée que j'ai jamais lue.
September 28, 2025
Stunning!
March 7, 2025
Created by Robert E. Howard in 1932, Conan the Barbarian is the main character of a series of fantasy stories published in Weird Tales magazine. Following the author’s passing in 1936, many other writers have written works featuring Conan, including movies, television and comic books. Regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre, Howard was a troubled figure who after a family tragedy took his own life at the age of 30. His Cimmerian creation, however, would live on over the decades. Whether this is intentional or not, this seems to inspire the fictional backdrop of Helen of Wyndhorn.
Please click here for my full review.
Please click here for my full review.
July 3, 2025
La idea de mezclar espada y brujería con un drama familiar a principios del siglo XX puede parecer rara de partida, pero funciona muy bien gracias a un buen guión y un dibujo maravilloso (Es lo primero que leo de Bilquis Evely; debería seguir su trabajo) Esa combinación de espectacularidad e intimismo sorprende y emociona, al tiempo que hace empatizar con los personajes. Además, me parece muy buena idea el detalle de la transmisión de la historia, que le da a todo un aire irreal.
December 7, 2024
It really is all about grief. To remember people is to tell their stories :,( amazing, beautiful, cried so many times love this six issue series so so much <3
October 16, 2025
I loved the message but I hated the way it was conveyed. I have come to despise the tell don't show method of Tom King storytelling that relies a bit too much on narration (I first came across this technique of his in War of Joker and Riddles and that was my beginning of the end for falling out of love with his Batman run.) It may seem like a way to build grander narratives at first but it gets tiring due to its overuse and eventually just turn out to be nothing burgers. Bilquis Evely - No notes. Perfection.
January 30, 2026
No necessites entendre-ho tot per continuar vivint.
Read
June 12, 2025How? Talking about some comics with friends online, I thought "I should read some more Tom King."
What? Helen's father -- dead by suicide -- was a writer of pulp fantasy, a Robert E. Howard-like figure whose character Othan has definite Conan-like qualities. Helen's father was a drunk and so is Helen, which is a big surprise to the governess sent to bring her back to her grandfather's estate, Wyndhorn.
This is all being told by the governess to the biographer of Helen's father, who doesn't know what to do with the governess's revelation that the grandfather actually is Othan and occasionally goes into the other world for treasure and adventure -- and for closure over the death of his son -- and maybe escapism from his responsibilities as a grandparent.
And, interstitially, as a frame for the other issues, we see how the tapes the biographer made travel from hand to hand -- from the biographer's widower to a comics collector/reseller to a kid who needs an escape to an unknown hand at a garage sale.
And in the main storyline, Helen learns her family history -- her father's adventures, her divine parentage, what adventures she is capable of.
Yeah, so? Let me say, up front, I really like Evely's art. (As one online friend said, Evely does the best hair of anyone in comics.)
That out of the way, the story left me a little cold; and some of the positive reviews for it seem to say the same sort of thing that I've said: it seems like there's a lot of the story that's left out. Like, I've seen people reach for some twist ("the governess is really Helen" -- it's not) and I myself have tried to add on something ("the hand at the end is really the butler's" -- it isn't).
There's not a lot of drama here, and something is missing.
There's one dramatic arc that is less an arc than just a few data points and not quite in the right positions: the governess who seems hard as nails at one point says that she's really a shrinking violet until she stands up to the grandfather at the end. Except, we see her standing up to him before that. And Helen is seeking her self-destruction, just like her father before her, until she finds meaning in destroying others in a fantasy land -- and then at the end, wonders if she too is just a made up fiction. That dramatic moment where Helen breaks down seems unmotivated, even if it gives the governess a good line ("we are stories are parents tell and we are stories our children tell").
That, plus the frame stories, makes this seem like a meditation on the power of storytelling, blah blah blah. Some people like this book for various reasons -- even I liked the art, I just found the rest of it sort of dramatically inert and philosophically thin.
What? Helen's father -- dead by suicide -- was a writer of pulp fantasy, a Robert E. Howard-like figure whose character Othan has definite Conan-like qualities. Helen's father was a drunk and so is Helen, which is a big surprise to the governess sent to bring her back to her grandfather's estate, Wyndhorn.
This is all being told by the governess to the biographer of Helen's father, who doesn't know what to do with the governess's revelation that the grandfather actually is Othan and occasionally goes into the other world for treasure and adventure -- and for closure over the death of his son -- and maybe escapism from his responsibilities as a grandparent.
And, interstitially, as a frame for the other issues, we see how the tapes the biographer made travel from hand to hand -- from the biographer's widower to a comics collector/reseller to a kid who needs an escape to an unknown hand at a garage sale.
And in the main storyline, Helen learns her family history -- her father's adventures, her divine parentage, what adventures she is capable of.
Yeah, so? Let me say, up front, I really like Evely's art. (As one online friend said, Evely does the best hair of anyone in comics.)
That out of the way, the story left me a little cold; and some of the positive reviews for it seem to say the same sort of thing that I've said: it seems like there's a lot of the story that's left out. Like, I've seen people reach for some twist ("the governess is really Helen" -- it's not) and I myself have tried to add on something ("the hand at the end is really the butler's" -- it isn't).
There's not a lot of drama here, and something is missing.
There's one dramatic arc that is less an arc than just a few data points and not quite in the right positions: the governess who seems hard as nails at one point says that she's really a shrinking violet until she stands up to the grandfather at the end. Except, we see her standing up to him before that. And Helen is seeking her self-destruction, just like her father before her, until she finds meaning in destroying others in a fantasy land -- and then at the end, wonders if she too is just a made up fiction. That dramatic moment where Helen breaks down seems unmotivated, even if it gives the governess a good line ("we are stories are parents tell and we are stories our children tell").
That, plus the frame stories, makes this seem like a meditation on the power of storytelling, blah blah blah. Some people like this book for various reasons -- even I liked the art, I just found the rest of it sort of dramatically inert and philosophically thin.
August 8, 2025
The art for this is absolutely gorgeous, but the story just didn't come together for me.
I didn't want answers for everything, necessarily, but some loose threads still felt unsatisfying -and ultimately, I think the biggest problem was that the frame story took away from Helen's journey. The more degrees separated from Helen we became, the less I cared about the frame story at all; even by the time we reached Helen's father's biographer's partner, I didn't feel connected to what was going on at all.
Even Lilith being our main perspective felt somewhat lackluster. Like, I genuinely have no idea why the Grandfather hired or kept on a governess for Helen by the end (besides from a writing standpoint of using her as the perspective character). I'm not against Lilith as a character or her role in the story, but even beyond the logistical confusion of her being there, I do think having her so disconnected from the adventures did lessen her the impact of her narration in some ways (since so much was told in the way of Helen telling Lilith in retrospect who is telling the biographer also in retrospect).
Still, I don't regret reading this - the story just didn't reach the same levels as the art for me.
I didn't want answers for everything, necessarily, but some loose threads still felt unsatisfying -and ultimately, I think the biggest problem was that the frame story took away from Helen's journey. The more degrees separated from Helen we became, the less I cared about the frame story at all; even by the time we reached Helen's father's biographer's partner, I didn't feel connected to what was going on at all.
Even Lilith being our main perspective felt somewhat lackluster. Like, I genuinely have no idea why the Grandfather hired or kept on a governess for Helen by the end (besides from a writing standpoint of using her as the perspective character). I'm not against Lilith as a character or her role in the story, but even beyond the logistical confusion of her being there, I do think having her so disconnected from the adventures did lessen her the impact of her narration in some ways (since so much was told in the way of Helen telling Lilith in retrospect who is telling the biographer also in retrospect).
Still, I don't regret reading this - the story just didn't reach the same levels as the art for me.
December 20, 2025
it's not often ( ever?) I've given 5 stars on here..I'm always thinking there's something better around the corner to read.
this is a self contained, beautifully drawn and colored story that works on quite a few different levels.
Redemption
father/ daughter relationship
plus a few surprises along the way
this is a self contained, beautifully drawn and colored story that works on quite a few different levels.
Redemption
father/ daughter relationship
plus a few surprises along the way
September 22, 2025
From the team that brought us Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comes a beer-soaked spiritual successor in Helen of Wyndhorn. It’s got literary aspirations and some goddamned pretty art. Even though the comic is aimed at adults, I’d call my son over to have a gander at a particularly breathtaking page.
So, good, but not as hot as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow was for me. Easy to recommend and a joy to look at if nothing else.
So, good, but not as hot as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow was for me. Easy to recommend and a joy to look at if nothing else.
August 17, 2025
3.75* Same with Supergirl, King has a compulsion to write way too much and hides behind unnecessary narration. He needs to learn to step back, stop competing for the artistic spotlight, and let Evely’s storytelling breathe.
December 12, 2025
5 stelline principalmente per i disegni che sono a dir poco straordinari
January 22, 2026
Ohlolo… mais qu’est-ce que je viens de lire ? Je ne m’attendais absolument pas à ça.
Tout d’abord, les illustrations. Quelle claque. Les dessins et la colorisation sont tout simplement sublimes. Chaque page est une œuvre en soi. Les couleurs sont incroyablement belles, parfaitement choisies, et apportent une profondeur folle au récit. Les planches sont dynamiques, ultra immersives. Rarement une bande dessinée m’a autant émerveillée visuellement. L’esthétique participe pleinement à la narration et à la création d’un univers unique.
Et justement, parlons-en ! J’ai été complètement happée dans cet univers sombre, onirique, étrange et pourtant profondément beau. Une atmosphère qui enveloppe, qui marque, et dont j’ai clairement du mal à ressortir (laissez-moi là-bas 😠).
J’ai adoré la manière dont l’histoire reprend les codes du roman gothique. Une jeune fille étrange et difficile à cerner, un grand-père inconnu, un immense manoir rempli de mystères (et surtout de monstres). Des questionnements sur est-ce que tout cela est bien réel ? Ou est-ce que les protagonistes sont juste complètement atteints ? Autant dire que je suis exactement la cible.
Le système de narration, pourtant critiqué par certain·es, m’a énormément plu. Le fait que l’histoire soit racontée par une tierce personne, en conservant une part de mystère et de distance, renforce selon moi le côté onirique du récit et nourrit le sentiment d’étrangeté qui l’habite.
Les thématiques abordées sont également très fortes. Le deuil, l’alcoolisme, le suicide, la peur de l’abandon, la quête d’identité, et ce paradoxe touchant entre la facilité à affronter des monstres… et l’incapacité à affronter la perte des êtres chers, au point de se réfugier dans le silence et la fuite.
Ce n’est clairement pas une lecture d’action, mais un récit d’atmosphère, qui prend le temps de poser ses émotions et ses mystères (et encore une fois, je suis totalement la cible !).
En résumé, pour moi Helen de Wyndhorn est un coup de cœur. Pour l’ambiance, l’esthétique, la profondeur des thèmes et cette sensation d’avoir vécu une réelle expérience plus qu’une simple lecture.
Tout d’abord, les illustrations. Quelle claque. Les dessins et la colorisation sont tout simplement sublimes. Chaque page est une œuvre en soi. Les couleurs sont incroyablement belles, parfaitement choisies, et apportent une profondeur folle au récit. Les planches sont dynamiques, ultra immersives. Rarement une bande dessinée m’a autant émerveillée visuellement. L’esthétique participe pleinement à la narration et à la création d’un univers unique.
Et justement, parlons-en ! J’ai été complètement happée dans cet univers sombre, onirique, étrange et pourtant profondément beau. Une atmosphère qui enveloppe, qui marque, et dont j’ai clairement du mal à ressortir (laissez-moi là-bas 😠).
J’ai adoré la manière dont l’histoire reprend les codes du roman gothique. Une jeune fille étrange et difficile à cerner, un grand-père inconnu, un immense manoir rempli de mystères (et surtout de monstres). Des questionnements sur est-ce que tout cela est bien réel ? Ou est-ce que les protagonistes sont juste complètement atteints ? Autant dire que je suis exactement la cible.
Le système de narration, pourtant critiqué par certain·es, m’a énormément plu. Le fait que l’histoire soit racontée par une tierce personne, en conservant une part de mystère et de distance, renforce selon moi le côté onirique du récit et nourrit le sentiment d’étrangeté qui l’habite.
Les thématiques abordées sont également très fortes. Le deuil, l’alcoolisme, le suicide, la peur de l’abandon, la quête d’identité, et ce paradoxe touchant entre la facilité à affronter des monstres… et l’incapacité à affronter la perte des êtres chers, au point de se réfugier dans le silence et la fuite.
Ce n’est clairement pas une lecture d’action, mais un récit d’atmosphère, qui prend le temps de poser ses émotions et ses mystères (et encore une fois, je suis totalement la cible !).
En résumé, pour moi Helen de Wyndhorn est un coup de cœur. Pour l’ambiance, l’esthétique, la profondeur des thèmes et cette sensation d’avoir vécu une réelle expérience plus qu’une simple lecture.
January 23, 2026
Otro turno del club de lectura, otro cómic
Pues ha estado bien, aprecio el dibujo y también la historia, que, aunque algo incompleta, no ha estado nada mal. Sigue siendo un cómic, pero ha estado mejor de lo esperado.
Adoptan la fantasía de una manera muy especial a modo de aventura para escapar de la realidad casi más que por otra cosa. No me importaría leer más de esta serie como disfrutón de la fantasía aunque no sea fan del medio.
Si te van los cómics merece una oportunidad.
Pues ha estado bien, aprecio el dibujo y también la historia, que, aunque algo incompleta, no ha estado nada mal. Sigue siendo un cómic, pero ha estado mejor de lo esperado.
Adoptan la fantasía de una manera muy especial a modo de aventura para escapar de la realidad casi más que por otra cosa. No me importaría leer más de esta serie como disfrutón de la fantasía aunque no sea fan del medio.
Si te van los cómics merece una oportunidad.
December 15, 2024
Helen Cole, daughter of of the recently deceased pulp novelist C.K. Cole (a pastiche of Robert E. Howard), is sent to live with her grandfather in his rural estate of Wyndhorn. Placed in the care of her governess, Lilith Appleton (who also serves as the primary narrator), Helen wreaks drunken havoc in the vast mansion belonging to her grandfather, Barnaby. The grandfather and granddaughter begin a strained and distant relationship, as neither can really come to terms with the fact that C.K. committed suicide, with Ms. Appleton growing ever more desperate to help Helen out of her rut. But when it turns out that Barnaby's mysterious disappearances are more fantastical in nature, Helen begins to come out of her shell more. The two begin to bond over trips into a strange "Other World", where they take on monsters and other fantasy-type quests. What unfolds is a deeply personal story featuring two grieving people, each trying to contextualize their loss in a heightened fantasy setting.
Helen of Wyndhorn reunites Tom King with Bilquis Evely, the pair having previously delivered the critically acclaimed miniseries, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This collaboration features even sharper writing, and even more gorgeous artwork, so fans of that series will definitely eat this one up. It's a strong, well-focused tale that uses the fantasy backdrop to deliver a very personal story, and it does so while looking amazing again. Evely's artwork features gorgeous fine lines and detailed backdrops, and this is highlighted with the opening splash page with each chapter. Mat Lopes also returns for the colors, and they're just as vibrant and kinetic as ever.
Helen of Wyndhorn reunites Tom King with Bilquis Evely, the pair having previously delivered the critically acclaimed miniseries, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This collaboration features even sharper writing, and even more gorgeous artwork, so fans of that series will definitely eat this one up. It's a strong, well-focused tale that uses the fantasy backdrop to deliver a very personal story, and it does so while looking amazing again. Evely's artwork features gorgeous fine lines and detailed backdrops, and this is highlighted with the opening splash page with each chapter. Mat Lopes also returns for the colors, and they're just as vibrant and kinetic as ever.
August 31, 2025
Tom King and Bilquis Evely knock it out of the park again, summoning much the same storytelling style from Supergirl for Helen of Wyndhorn. Once again, we have a narrator looking back on fantastical past events where many lessons were learned. In Helen, those events center around the titular character, her grandfather, and her governess (the narrator). When the nanny brings Helen back to the family home, the pair are unexpectedly thrust into the wild fantasy world that the grandfather frequently visits.
So, it's a bit of Conan and Narnia mixed with what is otherwise a "wild child finds a home" story. Helen struggles under her grandfather's oppressive demeanor, then opens up when he finally relents and lets her join him on a journey to distant lands. The governess mostly serves as a source of humanity amidst all the madness, though she takes a big role in the conclusion. It's all quite like a fairy tale - some gentle lessons are learned, but the real joy comes from the world that King and Evely have developed here.
Helen is not quite as thrilling or high-concept as some of Tom King's works, and I think that speaks to why I enjoyed it so much. It's a fairly simple story, well told, with absolutely gorgeous art. I'd love to jump into this world again at some point.
So, it's a bit of Conan and Narnia mixed with what is otherwise a "wild child finds a home" story. Helen struggles under her grandfather's oppressive demeanor, then opens up when he finally relents and lets her join him on a journey to distant lands. The governess mostly serves as a source of humanity amidst all the madness, though she takes a big role in the conclusion. It's all quite like a fairy tale - some gentle lessons are learned, but the real joy comes from the world that King and Evely have developed here.
Helen is not quite as thrilling or high-concept as some of Tom King's works, and I think that speaks to why I enjoyed it so much. It's a fairly simple story, well told, with absolutely gorgeous art. I'd love to jump into this world again at some point.
March 18, 2025
A small afterword in the back of this book will tell you it was "inspired by fantasy and gothic romances" and that's clear to see, it's Conan, it's Narnia, it's every pulpy novel that occupies shelves in bookstores the world over. And thanks to the art of Bilquis Evely, it's a very beautiful illustrated series. It's very much a love letter to those writers who no doubt inspired Evely's art style.
Like a lot of Tom King's writing, it's about what's below the surface. It's not a story about those worlds of fantasy, but it's about inherited trauma, passed down from parent to child, and about breaking the cycle. Suicide is touched upon but doesn't drive the central story, but there is a constant threat of emotional relapse that could lead to those tendencies.
Given this is the same creative team that brought about the Supergirl series, I can see similar themes. There's no great change in the main character's attitudes or morals, but instead, it reframes aspects of their lives into being a virtue rather than a flaw.
As much as this story hammers home, the idea that evolving as a person is a journey and not a singular end point, I was still left frustrated by the open-ended well... ending. I felt some form of closure would have greatly improved my reading experience.
Like a lot of Tom King's writing, it's about what's below the surface. It's not a story about those worlds of fantasy, but it's about inherited trauma, passed down from parent to child, and about breaking the cycle. Suicide is touched upon but doesn't drive the central story, but there is a constant threat of emotional relapse that could lead to those tendencies.
Given this is the same creative team that brought about the Supergirl series, I can see similar themes. There's no great change in the main character's attitudes or morals, but instead, it reframes aspects of their lives into being a virtue rather than a flaw.
As much as this story hammers home, the idea that evolving as a person is a journey and not a singular end point, I was still left frustrated by the open-ended well... ending. I felt some form of closure would have greatly improved my reading experience.
February 16, 2025
As much of a Tom King fan as I am, sometimes he totally screws up in my eyes. Too obscure, too long, too talkative, too egotistical...
And sometimes he produces pure jewels. Helen of W. is a vibrant tribute to fiction, to fantasy and to the adventurers who inhabit it, and to the transmission of these marvellous worlds.
Through the desperately lonely, adventure-seeking character that is Helen of W., we discover a world of wonder and adventures where she goes on the paths of self-discovery.
An endearing character if ever there was one, we see her through the eyes of her governess, whose slightly old-fashioned, stilted and slightly out-of-step speech provides a touch of humour and emotion. Yes, it's wordy, but King doses it with finesse and it passes off easily.
Tom King is at his best, but what about Bilquis Evely and Matheus Lopes? The book is simply sublime. Evely's graceful, distinctive drawing is masterfully enhanced by Lopes’ exquisite pastel palette. It's beautiful beyond words.
And sometimes he produces pure jewels. Helen of W. is a vibrant tribute to fiction, to fantasy and to the adventurers who inhabit it, and to the transmission of these marvellous worlds.
Through the desperately lonely, adventure-seeking character that is Helen of W., we discover a world of wonder and adventures where she goes on the paths of self-discovery.
An endearing character if ever there was one, we see her through the eyes of her governess, whose slightly old-fashioned, stilted and slightly out-of-step speech provides a touch of humour and emotion. Yes, it's wordy, but King doses it with finesse and it passes off easily.
Tom King is at his best, but what about Bilquis Evely and Matheus Lopes? The book is simply sublime. Evely's graceful, distinctive drawing is masterfully enhanced by Lopes’ exquisite pastel palette. It's beautiful beyond words.
September 27, 2025
I loved the art in Helen of Wyndhorn; the aesthetics are great, and the environment is magical, supported by gorgeous colouring. But the framing of the story, by narrating the pats from the point of view of a person who is not the main focus, is kinda boring. Also the cutbacks to "modern times" are tedious and drag even though they are quite short. Overall all I wanted something different from this book, and it all comes down to my expectations, which I presume I had wrong.
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