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Out of Skin
Here once was an old woman who lived alone in the woods. After a night of heavy rain, the woman came across a ditch she had never seen before. In the ditch, laid the dead bodies of several young women. The woman had no idea who would do such a thing. It couldn't have been her mother, father or cousin because they're all dead already.
40 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
7 people are currently reading
3673 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Carroll
54 books2,355 followersE.M. Carroll was born in June 1983 in London, Ontario. They started making comics in 2010 and their horror comic "His Face All Red" went viral at Hallowe'en 2010.
Since then, E.M. has published several books, created comics for anthologies, and provided illustrations for other works. E.M. has won several awards, including an Ignatz and two Eisners. They are married to fellow Canadian artist, Kate Craig.
Emily's work now uses the initials E.M. Carroll. Visit their growing exhibits at EMCarroll.com.
Since then, E.M. has published several books, created comics for anthologies, and provided illustrations for other works. E.M. has won several awards, including an Ignatz and two Eisners. They are married to fellow Canadian artist, Kate Craig.
Emily's work now uses the initials E.M. Carroll. Visit their growing exhibits at EMCarroll.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews
December 18, 2021
WELCOME TO DECEMBER PROJECT!
this explanation/intro will be posted before each day’s short story. scroll down to get to the story-review.
this is the FOURTH year of me doing a short story advent calendar as my december project. for those of you new to me or this endeavor, here’s the skinny: every day in december, i will be reading a short story that is 1) available free somewhere on internet, and 2) listed on goodreads as its own discrete entity. there will be links provided for those of you who like to read (or listen to) short stories for free, and also for those of you who have wildly overestimated how many books you can read in a year and are freaking out about not meeting your 2019 reading-challenge goals. i have been gathering links all year when tasty little tales have popped into my feed, but i will also accept additional suggestions, as long as they meet my aforementioned 1), 2) standards.
if you scroll to the end of the reviews linked here, you will find links to all the previous years’ stories, which means NINETY-THREE FREEBIES FOR YOU!
2016: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2017: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2018: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
reviews of these will vary in length/quality depending on my available time/brain power.
so, let’s begin
DECEMBER 9: OUT OF SKIN - EMILY CARROLL
i like emily carroll's artwork very much, even though i don't always know what's going on in the storytelling part of it, nor am i confident that she always knows what's going on. and that's not meant as a dig; it's just something that goes along with horror of the scratchy-ambiguity type—the sense that it's just barely in the creator's control, while some unseen spoooooky force is whispering in their ear and pulling at the threads. the less you understand, the more unsettling it is.
with both Through the Woods and When I Arrived at the Castle, i had a few lingering questions. this short story is a bit more straightforward, although there is some not-unpleasant blurring around the edges. if Over the Garden Wall was a house, this story would be one of its darker unused hallways, child-gated and drafty. it's that perfect blend of beautiful and grotesque that makes for a lingering and truly haunting tale.
WE ARE ALREADY INSIDE
read it for yourself here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
*******************************************
THE STORIES:
DECEMBER 1: FOR HE CAN CREEP - SIOBHAN CARROLL
DECEMBER 2: TAM-O'-SHANTER - DONNA TARTT
DECEMBER 3: TRASH BIRD - REZA FARAZMAND
DECEMBER 4: COLOR AND LIGHT - SALLY ROONEY
DECEMBER 5: SEONAG AND THE SEAWOLVES - M. EVAN MACGRIOGAIR
DECEMBER 6: KAIJU MAXIMUS "SO VARIOUS, SO BEAUTIFUL, SO NEW" - KAI ASHANTE WILSON
DECEMBER 7: BEWARE OF OWNER - CHUCK WENDIG
DECEMBER 8: THE TALE OF THE THREE BEAUTIFUL RAPTOR SISTERS, AND THE PRINCE WHO WAS MADE OF MEAT - BROOKE BOLANDER
DECEMBER 10: PROBABLY STILL THE CHOSEN ONE - KELLY BARNHILL
DECEMBER 11: THE HUNDREDTH HOUSE HAD NO WALLS - LAURIE PENNY
DECEMBER 12: GIRLS, AT PLAY - CELESTE NG
DECEMBER 13: MR. THURSDAY - EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL
DECEMBER 14: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - MADELINE ASHBY
DECEMBER 15: A FOREST, OR A TREE - TEGAN MOORE
DECEMBER 16: OUTFOXED: A FABLE - DYLAN MECONIS
DECEMBER 17: THEN LATER, HIS GHOST - SARAH HALL
DECEMBER 18: OH, WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME TO YOU, MY LAD - M.R. JAMES
DECEMBER 19: PREMIUM HARMONY - STEPHEN KING
DECEMBER 20: KNOWLEDGEABLE CREATURES - CHRISTOPHER ROWE
DECEMBER 21: THE HOLE THE FOX DID MAKE - EMILY CARROLL
DECEMBER 22: MRS. FOX - SARAH HALL
DECEMBER 23: SEASONAL WORK - LAURA LIPPMAN
DECEMBER 24: THE PLAGUE - KEN LIU
DECEMBER 25: ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS - SEANAN MCGUIRE
DECEMBER 26: BLOOD IS ANOTHER WORLD FOR HUNGER - RIVERS SOLOMON
DECEMBER 27: CIRCUS GIRL, THE HUNTER, AND MIRROR BOY - J.Y. YANG
DECEMBER 28: ALL ALONG THE WALL - EMILY CARROLL
DECEMBER 29: SWEETNESS - TONI MORRISON
DECEMBER 30: DERIVING LIFE - ELIZABETH BEAR
DECEMBER 31: EVERY LITTLE THING - CELESTE NG
come to my blog!
this explanation/intro will be posted before each day’s short story. scroll down to get to the story-review.
this is the FOURTH year of me doing a short story advent calendar as my december project. for those of you new to me or this endeavor, here’s the skinny: every day in december, i will be reading a short story that is 1) available free somewhere on internet, and 2) listed on goodreads as its own discrete entity. there will be links provided for those of you who like to read (or listen to) short stories for free, and also for those of you who have wildly overestimated how many books you can read in a year and are freaking out about not meeting your 2019 reading-challenge goals. i have been gathering links all year when tasty little tales have popped into my feed, but i will also accept additional suggestions, as long as they meet my aforementioned 1), 2) standards.
if you scroll to the end of the reviews linked here, you will find links to all the previous years’ stories, which means NINETY-THREE FREEBIES FOR YOU!
2016: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2017: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
2018: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
reviews of these will vary in length/quality depending on my available time/brain power.
so, let’s begin
DECEMBER 9: OUT OF SKIN - EMILY CARROLL
i like emily carroll's artwork very much, even though i don't always know what's going on in the storytelling part of it, nor am i confident that she always knows what's going on. and that's not meant as a dig; it's just something that goes along with horror of the scratchy-ambiguity type—the sense that it's just barely in the creator's control, while some unseen spoooooky force is whispering in their ear and pulling at the threads. the less you understand, the more unsettling it is.
with both Through the Woods and When I Arrived at the Castle, i had a few lingering questions. this short story is a bit more straightforward, although there is some not-unpleasant blurring around the edges. if Over the Garden Wall was a house, this story would be one of its darker unused hallways, child-gated and drafty. it's that perfect blend of beautiful and grotesque that makes for a lingering and truly haunting tale.
WE ARE ALREADY INSIDE
read it for yourself here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
*******************************************
THE STORIES:
DECEMBER 1: FOR HE CAN CREEP - SIOBHAN CARROLL
DECEMBER 2: TAM-O'-SHANTER - DONNA TARTT
DECEMBER 3: TRASH BIRD - REZA FARAZMAND
DECEMBER 4: COLOR AND LIGHT - SALLY ROONEY
DECEMBER 5: SEONAG AND THE SEAWOLVES - M. EVAN MACGRIOGAIR
DECEMBER 6: KAIJU MAXIMUS "SO VARIOUS, SO BEAUTIFUL, SO NEW" - KAI ASHANTE WILSON
DECEMBER 7: BEWARE OF OWNER - CHUCK WENDIG
DECEMBER 8: THE TALE OF THE THREE BEAUTIFUL RAPTOR SISTERS, AND THE PRINCE WHO WAS MADE OF MEAT - BROOKE BOLANDER
DECEMBER 10: PROBABLY STILL THE CHOSEN ONE - KELLY BARNHILL
DECEMBER 11: THE HUNDREDTH HOUSE HAD NO WALLS - LAURIE PENNY
DECEMBER 12: GIRLS, AT PLAY - CELESTE NG
DECEMBER 13: MR. THURSDAY - EMILY ST. JOHN MANDEL
DECEMBER 14: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - MADELINE ASHBY
DECEMBER 15: A FOREST, OR A TREE - TEGAN MOORE
DECEMBER 16: OUTFOXED: A FABLE - DYLAN MECONIS
DECEMBER 17: THEN LATER, HIS GHOST - SARAH HALL
DECEMBER 18: OH, WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME TO YOU, MY LAD - M.R. JAMES
DECEMBER 19: PREMIUM HARMONY - STEPHEN KING
DECEMBER 20: KNOWLEDGEABLE CREATURES - CHRISTOPHER ROWE
DECEMBER 21: THE HOLE THE FOX DID MAKE - EMILY CARROLL
DECEMBER 22: MRS. FOX - SARAH HALL
DECEMBER 23: SEASONAL WORK - LAURA LIPPMAN
DECEMBER 24: THE PLAGUE - KEN LIU
DECEMBER 25: ANY WAY THE WIND BLOWS - SEANAN MCGUIRE
DECEMBER 26: BLOOD IS ANOTHER WORLD FOR HUNGER - RIVERS SOLOMON
DECEMBER 27: CIRCUS GIRL, THE HUNTER, AND MIRROR BOY - J.Y. YANG
DECEMBER 28: ALL ALONG THE WALL - EMILY CARROLL
DECEMBER 29: SWEETNESS - TONI MORRISON
DECEMBER 30: DERIVING LIFE - ELIZABETH BEAR
DECEMBER 31: EVERY LITTLE THING - CELESTE NG
come to my blog!
October 8, 2022
Lovely and delicate and frightening little story from Emily Carroll (Through the Woods). How long do you think a storyteller needs to send a little chill down your spine?
Find out yourself here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
Find out yourself here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
March 31, 2020
A classic "things won't stay buried" horror short. Not a ton of emotional dimension, but creepy.
If you're new to Carroll: this is a decent quick, free intro, but I've liked other of her works better.
If you're new to Carroll: this is a decent quick, free intro, but I've liked other of her works better.
October 6, 2020
I already own and reviewed a book by this author as well as one of her other short stories so when I heard there was a new one available, I had to read it.
Emily Carroll's specialty is to not only tell a creepy tale but to make it extra atmospheric through her art.
In this story, we meet a woman living alone in the woods. One day she encounters ... a problem. But, as all the other times in her life when hardship found her, she just arranged herself with her situation. Not least because she knows who is responsible for this latest ... problem. And that it will resolve itself in time.
Not more shall be said about the story because scrolling through it is half the fun. Suffice it so say that this story, like her others, was nicely grizzly and dark - perfect for Spooktober. And, like with her other stories, the art was approriately dark with only splashes of colour here and there and very sharp angles accentuating the other, more rounder shapes.
Another solid addition to this author's body of work (yes, there is a pun-ish reason why I phrased it this way *evil grin*).
You can read the story for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
Emily Carroll's specialty is to not only tell a creepy tale but to make it extra atmospheric through her art.
In this story, we meet a woman living alone in the woods. One day she encounters ... a problem. But, as all the other times in her life when hardship found her, she just arranged herself with her situation. Not least because she knows who is responsible for this latest ... problem. And that it will resolve itself in time.
Not more shall be said about the story because scrolling through it is half the fun. Suffice it so say that this story, like her others, was nicely grizzly and dark - perfect for Spooktober. And, like with her other stories, the art was approriately dark with only splashes of colour here and there and very sharp angles accentuating the other, more rounder shapes.
Another solid addition to this author's body of work (yes, there is a pun-ish reason why I phrased it this way *evil grin*).
You can read the story for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
October 2, 2019
Disturbing. Haunting. Deliciously creepy. The illustrations are beautiful (although now likely to give me nightmares for the foreseeable future) and perfectly fit alongside the sparse text to give off an aura of confusion and terror.
Perhaps not the best thing to read on my own in the dark (the tree of hands...😬😬😬), but certainly perfect for this time of year. And a very quick read.
Perhaps not the best thing to read on my own in the dark (the tree of hands...😬😬😬), but certainly perfect for this time of year. And a very quick read.
October 14, 2022
Another lovely online comic by Emily Carroll. Hmm, lovely probably isn't the right word. Creepy is more appropriate... but it's such a pleasant read!
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
November 3, 2020
An old woman lives alone in a tiny cottage in the woods.
One morning she finds the dead bodies of several young women in a ditch. She doesn’t know what happened to them. But something is coming for her.
There isn’t a lot of plot in this very short tale. But it was pretty creepy, and therefore a good start to my Spooktober reading. Good artwork, that’s responsible for the delightfully eerie atmosphere, and also contains some gross images.
Nice one.
You can read it for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
One morning she finds the dead bodies of several young women in a ditch. She doesn’t know what happened to them. But something is coming for her.
There isn’t a lot of plot in this very short tale. But it was pretty creepy, and therefore a good start to my Spooktober reading. Good artwork, that’s responsible for the delightfully eerie atmosphere, and also contains some gross images.
Nice one.
You can read it for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
February 17, 2016
What a great idea - to read creepy stories just before bed in my dark room. Wonderful.
January 17, 2019
God I wish I knew what was happening
September 30, 2019
That was so good. Beautifully drawn, spine chillingly creepy and with so much room for thought and discussion. The story leaves it open for so many possible meanings and conclusions. Every time you read it you consider a different possibility.
Perfect for my first read of October.
CW for blood, gore and body horror.
Perfect for my first read of October.
CW for blood, gore and body horror.
March 29, 2020
OH MY!
March 20, 2016
LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!!
Sublimely creepy, and somehow reminiscent of Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber.
I can't say much more, since this is such a short story I'd just end up spoiling it, but I promise it's well worth the read!
You can read it here!
August 13, 2021
A short, creepy story about a woman who finds out that just because something is burried, doesn't mean it will stay hidden.
You can read it for free here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
You can read it for free here:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
January 20, 2016
This book was read for the #readwomen month.
My second favourite of her works now, not that she has published many, but I am patient, I will wait. In the description it says it is the tale of "women risen from the grave," yest I am not completely sure it is about that at all. All through this I kept thinking of "Red Riding Hood" and who was the person that committed the crimes.
My second favourite of her works now, not that she has published many, but I am patient, I will wait. In the description it says it is the tale of "women risen from the grave," yest I am not completely sure it is about that at all. All through this I kept thinking of "Red Riding Hood" and who was the person that committed the crimes.
January 27, 2016
Το «Out of skin» είναι ένα βραβευμένο web comic της Emily Carroll, που δεν άργησα να βρω μετά την αναζήτηση που έκανα για να ανακαλύψω κι άλλες δουλείες της. Βλέπεις αφού ξετρελάθηκε το το graphic novel «Through the woods» δεν μπορούσα να μην κάνω μία αναζήτηση γι’ αυτήν.
Η ιστορία της μοιάζει πολύ με αυτές που θα βρεις στο «Through the woods», αλλά δεν με ενθουσίασε τόσο όσο εκείνες. Παρόλα αυτά, επειδή το διάβασα στο διαδίκτυο, μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ που στις εικόνες υπήρχαν αντικείμενα που άλλαζαν θέση για παράδειγμα κι αυτό έκανε την ατμόσφαιρα ακόμα πιο τρομακτική. Και αυτή η ιστορία της αρκετά καλοδουλεμένη και ολοκληρωμένη. Ολοκληρωμένη με όλη τη σημασία της λέξης. Χωρίς κενά και ερωτήματα.
Η ιστορία της μοιάζει πολύ με αυτές που θα βρεις στο «Through the woods», αλλά δεν με ενθουσίασε τόσο όσο εκείνες. Παρόλα αυτά, επειδή το διάβασα στο διαδίκτυο, μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ που στις εικόνες υπήρχαν αντικείμενα που άλλαζαν θέση για παράδειγμα κι αυτό έκανε την ατμόσφαιρα ακόμα πιο τρομακτική. Και αυτή η ιστορία της αρκετά καλοδουλεμένη και ολοκληρωμένη. Ολοκληρωμένη με όλη τη σημασία της λέξης. Χωρίς κενά και ερωτήματα.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2020
A woman who lives alone in the woods discovers a pit filled with corpses. That night, the pit grows a ghastly tree and the dead women inhabit the woman's cottage.
A creepy moodpiece that makes effective, creative use of the digital medium. Puts me in mind of The Telltale Heart.
Online only (as far as I know):
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
A creepy moodpiece that makes effective, creative use of the digital medium. Puts me in mind of The Telltale Heart.
Online only (as far as I know):
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
June 14, 2019
I’m not sure I really understood this?
September 30, 2019
Short, creepy, sad. I didn't like it as much as Carroll's amazing Through the Woods, but I think it's a good taste to see whether one wants to read more of her.
April 17, 2024
Creepily atmospheric, Emily Carroll does horror like no other.
I love a quick horror story and Through the Woods remains my favorite horror graphic novel out there. Emily Carrol has such a unique imagination and execution of stories. I am all for it. Still, there was something missing in this story that I can't quite place, but that would have improved the atmosphere and the ending of the story, making it feel whole and fully put together.
I love a quick horror story and Through the Woods remains my favorite horror graphic novel out there. Emily Carrol has such a unique imagination and execution of stories. I am all for it. Still, there was something missing in this story that I can't quite place, but that would have improved the atmosphere and the ending of the story, making it feel whole and fully put together.
October 9, 2022
It's getting really clear that horror isn't my genre. Theoretically, this was properly creepy. Me? I just don't care... maybe I should have read it at night... But it seems unfair giving this a lower rating, especially since the art is absolutely gorgeous.
I'm also not really sure about some details. I'm just so confused...
But I would definitely recommend it, if horror is your thing.
You can read it for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
I'm also not really sure about some details. I'm just so confused...
But I would definitely recommend it, if horror is your thing.
You can read it for free here: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
February 9, 2016
*4.5 stars*
Stunning graphics, but I would expect nothing less from Emily Carroll. I adore her tales of horror. This one was creepier than those in Through the Woods, and that's saying something.
Stunning graphics, but I would expect nothing less from Emily Carroll. I adore her tales of horror. This one was creepier than those in Through the Woods, and that's saying something.
September 30, 2019
A super creepy story that you can read in about 10 minutes, for free, right here.
Emily Carroll does an amazing job at creating a horrifically tense atmosphere through sparse and disturbing art. A great and quick read!
Emily Carroll does an amazing job at creating a horrifically tense atmosphere through sparse and disturbing art. A great and quick read!
January 12, 2020
A very creepy and original story told in webcomic format. It's a bit shorter than her published works but still has that great art style and overall atmosphere that I've come to expect from Emily Carroll. Would definitely recommend checking this out if you've read either of her books!
October 5, 2019
Not that scary.
March 12, 2024
Link to the comic: https://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
September 10, 2023
I wouldn't recommend living alone in the forest if you're prone to psychosis .
December 17, 2022
Kratak, atmosferičan horor strip. Par jezivih momenata je za pamćenje.
Definitivno ću probati još naslova od autorke.
Čita se besplatno preko linka: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
Definitivno ću probati još naslova od autorke.
Čita se besplatno preko linka: http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
October 23, 2019
I decided to read (well, watch a dub on YouTube) this AS IT IS ALMOST MIDNIGHT AND I AM ABOUT TO GO TO BED.
I AM A SORRY HEAP OF FOOLISHNESS PARADING AROUND IN A WOMAN'S SKIN.
Hahaha skin. I'm possibly scared of skin now.
ANYWAY, this is absolutely some very well written and exquisitely drawn nightmare fuel! As is to be expected when reading an Emily Carroll comic, but this undoubtedly is one of her best. Also just a great horror short story/comic. Perfect choice for around halloween. Very imperfect choice for a bedtime story.
YES, you, too can scare yourself FOR FREE:
- original comic on Carrol's website:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
- The dub I watched (it's well done, if you like audiobooks etc. I'd say give it a chance): https://youtu.be/oCw3FFxS460
... Enjoy?
I AM A SORRY HEAP OF FOOLISHNESS PARADING AROUND IN A WOMAN'S SKIN.
Hahaha skin. I'm possibly scared of skin now.
ANYWAY, this is absolutely some very well written and exquisitely drawn nightmare fuel! As is to be expected when reading an Emily Carroll comic, but this undoubtedly is one of her best. Also just a great horror short story/comic. Perfect choice for around halloween. Very imperfect choice for a bedtime story.
YES, you, too can scare yourself FOR FREE:
- original comic on Carrol's website:
http://www.emcarroll.com/comics/skin/
- The dub I watched (it's well done, if you like audiobooks etc. I'd say give it a chance): https://youtu.be/oCw3FFxS460
... Enjoy?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 183 reviews