BY CHANCE OR PROVIDENCE collects BECKY CLOONAN's award-winning trilogy: WOLVES, THE MIRE, and DEMETER, with lush colors by LEE LOUGHRIDGE and a sketchbook/illustration section. These stories cast a spell of hypnotic melancholy, weaving their way through medieval landscapes of ancient curses and terrible truths that will haunt you long after you've set them down.
In the prologue to the collection, Cloonan writes: "Dedicated to those of you with crushes on your characters." When I first read this line, I thought Cloonan was being a little narcissistic. But after finishing the book, I understood. How could anyone not fall in love with her characters? They possess all the virtues and vices anyone could ever want in a person. Get this collection. You won't regret it. Read Full Review
By Chance of Providence is a magical jaunt into an enchanting and tragic world. The stories intrigue and engage, with tormented tales of lost love and regret. Becky Cloonan's art is hypnotic and captivating, transporting the reader into a beautifully detailed world that has a sense of history, lore and culture. I sincerely hope Cloonan plans to spin more tales like this, as this trilogy is an absolute treat.Dana Folkard Read Full Review
I fell in love with these stories. Each one more dark than the last. I lived through each characters journey and pain, and craved for more. Cloonans knack for the morbidity in love lost and of sacrifice told through words and pictures is uncanny. She is a true master of the macabre. She aptly chose colorist, Lee Loughridge (Batman Adventures) to ink every page flawlessly. I couldn't get enough of their artwork, but luckily there's about forty pages in the back of concept sketches and illustrations. Read Full Review
"Wolves" tells of betrayal, "The Mire" of progeny, and "Demeter" of both " no happy endings here, folks, but enough genuine emotion and melancholy earned through good mood and lovely art to keep you centered in a nice, atmospheric journey. A big bonus in this "director's cut" is a ton of concept art. With Cloonan mentioning she'd like to come back and spend more time in this universe, it's fun to see what the possibilities are. This volume will delight longtime comic fans and first-timers, as well. If you have a friend who's not sure about the medium, this would be a wonderful place to start. Read Full Review