How ‘Thistlebone’ Explores Folk Horror Genre

This April, Rebellion Publishing’s 2000 AD moves beyond the sci-fi genre that has been the mainstay of the iconic title since its late 1970s launch with the release of Thistlebone, a collection of the folk horror strip by T.C. Eglington and Simon Davis.

Described by Rebellion as “Midsommar meets The Wicker Man,” the strip — which originally ran in 2000 AD last year — centers around the cult hidden in the heart of a rural English village that wants to escape the modern world and return to simpler ways… while also worshipping an ancient deity that demands human sacrifice.

One such sacrifice was to be Avril Eason, but she escaped the group just in time. However, even after escaping, she keeps seeing signs that the cult isn’t done with her just yet, leading her back to the village of Harrowvale for one last visit…

Thistlebone will be released digitally and in print April 29, with the latter in a special oversize hardcover to show off the artwork of Davis, who has won multiple awards for his portrait paintings in addition to a lengthy career in comics, working on such characters as Judge Dredd, Sláine and DC’s Justice League. Read on for a preview.