Bitter Root, by David F. Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Greene (Image)

The critics absolutely adore this book. The series has been nominated for six Eisner awards (including winning for “Best Continuing Series” in 2020). However, I lost appreciation for the book in issue #3 when the concept of the “Jinoo” monsters is explained in narrative to the reader. The “Jinoo” are people (specifically white people) corrupted into monsters after being infected/tainted by hate (racism). It is further explained, “Black folks…we don’t turn into Jinoo. It just isn’t in us.” I get this a book about confronting racism but then (conversely) we are introduced to the concept of the black infected monsters known as “Inzondo” reserved for “a soul ravaged by great sorrow and pain”.

Racism - the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.

Creatively, it’s hypocritical to confront racism while resorting to racist innuendoes. The added distinction was unnecessary for the protagonists’ struggle to be both morally and allegorically just.

I’m not prepared to “throw the baby out with the bath water”. The one concept I confronted above doesn’t diminish the characters, the art, or the adventure. There are certainly great concepts within to enjoy. This book had a similar feel, excitement, and quality of Rick Remender’s “Black Science”.

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• Kiper602

Kiper602 - Mar 12, 2023 (edited)

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