The holiday season brings heartwarming cheer and bright joy, but nestled within these festive time lies Krampus–a tale that delves into the darkness that lurks just beyond the twinkling lights. Krampus: The Yule Lord written by acclaimed writer and artist Brom is a riveting story set against Appalachia’s rugged landscape that weaves a complex tapestry of myth, magic, and modern-day struggles.
Set in Appalachia, Krampus: The Yule Lord is a twisted fairytale about a failed West Virginia songwriter who gets ensnared on Christmas Eve in an eternal war between a not-so-saintly Saint Nick and his dark enemy Krampus, aka Black Peter, an ancient trickster demon.
Brom does a masterful job telling a reimagining of ancient folklore in Krampus: The Yule Lord focusing around a protagonist named Jesse—a disillusioned songwriter whose life has unraveled amidst personal failures and broken dreams in West Virginia. As the story progresses Jesse finds himself in the middle of a battle between Krampus and Santa that stems from eons-old betrayals. This combination of the two storylines made for a unique holiday horror that stands out from the crowd.
In Krampus: The Yule Lord, Brom breathes life into these mythical characters while maintaining their dark allure. Santa Claus is stripped of his jolly veneer to reveal complexities beneath the iconic character. Meanwhile, Krampus emerges as more than just a shadowy figure meant to instill fear; he becomes an intriguing anti-hero whose motivations are steeped in ancient grievances and misunderstood intentions.
Brom’s take on the classic horror story is both intriguing and refreshing. The author tells a holiday tale full of action and horror with a dash of heart and humor without diving too far into the cliche moments of the season. Brom’s Krampus is a multifaceted character driven by motives deeper than mere mischief or malice.
The character development is top notch. Jesse’s arc in Krampus: The Yule Lord is a testament to Brom’s storytelling abilities. Initially introduced as downtrodden yet relatable everyman grappling with personal demons (both literal & metaphorical), Jesse evolves as the book moves along. The author invites us into each character’s psyche through beautifully crafted prose interspersed with Brom’s haunting illustrations. This combination of a dash of artwork interspersed throughout the novel gives the holiday feel while also making it standout from the crowd.
Despite its fantastical elements, the story remains grounded by relatable themes such as ambition lost or relationships strained during the festive periods meant for more celebration and joy rather than conflict. This makes for well-rounded tale for horror and Christmas fans alike.
Krampus: The Yule Lord is a clash of titans but also an exploration into redemption, power struggles, and the dichotomy between good and evil. Brom’s take on the classic horror character (as well as Santa Claus) is fantastic and should be added to everyone’s holiday reading lists. This is the holiday horror story I want to see on the big screen.
Krampus: The Yule Lord was released October 2015 is available at bookstores everywhere from Harper Voyager. The audiobook, narrated by Kirby Heyborne, is available at Libro.fm!
