There were multiple reasons that pulled me into this novella, one being its a book by Stephen King, another being the illustrations are by veteran comic creator Bernie Wrightson, and lastly it’s one of King’s shortest standalone stories. This combination made for a great quick read in between longer novels with a touch of artwork.
The first scream came from the snowbound railwayman who felt the fangs ripping at his throat. The next month there was a scream of ecstatic agony from the woman attacked in her snug bedroom.
Now scenes of unbelieving horror come each time the full moon shines on the isolated Maine town of Tarker Mills. No one knows who will be attacked next. But one thing is sure.
When the moon grows fat, a paralyzing fear sweeps through Tarker Mills. For snarls that sound like human words can be heard whining through the wind. And all around are the footprints of a monster whose hunger cannot be sated…
Cycle of the Werewolf is a fairly straightforward monster-hunt tale where a werewolf terrorizes a small town. The short length didn’t allow for many twists or turns and truly boring characters. The novella is a fun, quick read, something we have seen more of from King in his collection of short stories. This book was refreshing in that sense, after reading novels such as It.
Even as a huge King fan, as well as a growing up down the street from the King of Horror, my favorite part of this novella is the artwork by Wrightson. The co-creator of classic comic characters such as the Swamp Thing, as well as his adaptation of Mary Shelley‘s novel Frankenstein, Wrightson has a unique style of illustration that made this such an enjoyable read, making up for the unsurprising story at hand.
Cycle of the Werewolf is a short, straightforward story from Stephen King where illustrator Bernie Wrightson steals the show. Most people know this story more from its film adaptation, Silver Bullet, but is worth the read just to see the mixture of King’s writing and Wrightson’s graphic artwork.
Cycle of the Werewolf is available at bookstores everywhere from Gallery 13.
