Gou Tanabe’s manga adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Call of Cthulhu” has won the 2024 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel. This prestigious award, given by the Horror Writers Association (HWA), recognizes outstanding works of horror and dark fantasy. The winners were announced on June 14th at StokerCon in Connecticut.
A Master of Manga Horror
Gou Tanabe is a Japanese manga artist renowned for his meticulous adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s works. His dedication to capturing the unsettling atmosphere and cosmic horror of Lovecraft’s stories has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Tanabe’s detailed art style and faithfulness to the source material make him a perfect fit for adapting Lovecraft’s complex and visually challenging narratives.
Tanabe began adapting Lovecraft’s stories in 2004, and his works include:
- The Hound and Other Stories (2017)
- At the Mountains of Madness (2019)
- The Shadow Over Innsmouth (2023)
- The Call of Cthulhu (2024)
His adaptation of “The Call of Cthulhu” was first published in Japan in 2019 in Kadokawa’s Monthly Comic Beam magazine and was later translated into English and released by Dark Horse Comics in October 2024.
“The Call of Cthulhu”: A Classic Reimagined
“The Call of Cthulhu,” first published in 1928, is arguably Lovecraft’s most famous and influential story. It introduces the iconic cosmic entity Cthulhu and explores themes of cosmic horror, ancient civilizations, and the fragility of human sanity in the face of unimaginable horrors. The story follows Francis Thurston as he investigates a mysterious cult and uncovers the terrifying truth about Cthulhu and his impending return.
Tanabe’s manga adaptation of “The Call of Cthulhu” stays true to the original story while enhancing the visual elements and creating a truly immersive horror experience. The manga is 288 pages long, significantly expanding upon Lovecraft’s original 40-page story with detailed scenes and artwork. The paperback edition features eight full-color pages and a title page with silver ink. The cover art is designed in the chaotic and haunting style of Tanabe’s previous Lovecraft adaptations.
Dark Horse Comics describes the story as follows:
“What links together two bands of worshippers, one deep in the Arctic snows, one hidden in the bayous of Louisiana, is more than their shared practice of blood sacrifice. It is the inhuman phrase they both chant: Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn—’In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.’ Now these nightmares will disturb the sanity of Francis Thurston, a young man pursuing an investigation into the cult of Cthulhu that leads to the most forsaken spot in the vast Pacific…and to Earth’s supreme terror, the risen corpse-city of R’lyeh.”
The Bram Stoker Awards
The Bram Stoker Awards are presented annually by the Horror Writers Association (HWA) to recognize superior achievement in horror writing. The awards are named after Bram Stoker, the author of “Dracula,” and are highly regarded in the horror and dark fantasy community. The winners are selected by active members of the HWA.
The Bram Stoker Awards have been presented since 1987 and include various categories, such as:
- Novel
- First Novel
- Young Adult Novel
- Graphic Novel
- Long Fiction
- Short Fiction
- Fiction Collection
- Screenplay
- Anthology
- Non-fiction
- Poetry Collection
- Lifetime Achievement
Other 2024 Bram Stoker Award Winners
Besides Gou Tanabe’s “The Call of Cthulhu,” other notable winners of the 2024 Bram Stoker Awards include:
- Superior Achievement in an Anthology: Discontinue If Death Ensues: Tales from the Tipping Point by Carol Gyzander and Anna Taborska
- Superior Achievement in a Fiction Collection: Love is a Crematorium and Other Tales by Mercedes M. Yardley
- Superior Achievement in a First Novel: The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
- Superior Achievement in Long Fiction: Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram
- Superior Achievement in Long Non-Fiction: Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You’re Too Scared to Watch by Emily C. Hughes
- Superior Achievement in a Middle Grade Novel: There’s Something Sinister in Center Field by Robert P. Ottone and The Creepening of Dogwood House by Eden Royce (tie)
- Superior Achievement in a Novel: The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste
- Superior Achievement in Poetry: Mexicans on the Moon: Speculative Poetry from a Possible Future by Pedro Iniguez
- Superior Achievement in a Screenplay: The Substance by Coralie Fargeat
- Superior Achievement in Short Fiction: “Versus Versus” by Laird Barron
- Superior Achievement in Short Non-Fiction: “Blacks in Film and Cultivated Bias” by Lisa Wood
- Superior Achievement in a YA Novel: Clown in a Cornfield 3: The Church of Frendo by Adam Cesare
Tanabe’s Other Lovecraft Adaptations
Before his award-winning adaptation of “The Call of Cthulhu,” Gou Tanabe had already adapted several other Lovecraft stories into manga form. These adaptations have also been praised for their faithfulness to the source material and their ability to capture the eerie atmosphere of Lovecraft’s tales.
The Hound and Other Stories
“The Hound and Other Stories” is a collection of three Lovecraft stories adapted by Tanabe: “The Hound,” “The Temple,” and “The Nameless City.” This volume was the first introduction to Tanabe’s visual storytelling of Lovecraftian horror. “The Hound” centers on two grave robbers who unearth an ancient relic and discover they’ve unearthed something that should have been left buried.
At the Mountains of Madness
“At the Mountains of Madness” is a two-volume adaptation of Lovecraft’s classic Antarctic horror story. It revolves around a doomed scientific expedition to Antarctica where the team encounters the remains of an ancient alien civilization and terrifying entities known as the Elder Things. Tanabe’s adaptation is praised for its attention to technical and architectural detail and its rendering of faces and use of chiaroscuro to create mood.
The Shadow Over Innsmouth
“The Shadow Over Innsmouth” is an adaptation of Lovecraft’s novella of the same name, set in a seaport town in Massachusetts inhabited by peculiar folks. Tanabe’s manga adaptation is one of the longest in the series at 450 pages.
Why This Award Matters
The Bram Stoker Award for Gou Tanabe’s “The Call of Cthulhu” is a significant achievement for several reasons:
- Recognition of Manga as a Horror Medium: It acknowledges the growing popularity and artistic merit of manga as a medium for horror storytelling.
- Honoring Lovecraft’s Legacy: It pays tribute to the enduring legacy of H.P. Lovecraft and his influence on the horror genre.
- Celebrating Adaptation: It celebrates the art of adaptation and Tanabe’s ability to translate Lovecraft’s complex and often abstract ideas into a visual format.
- Increased Visibility: It brings greater attention to Tanabe’s work and Lovecraft’s stories, potentially attracting new readers and fans.
Where to Find Gou Tanabe’s Works
Gou Tanabe’s manga adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s works are available in English from Dark Horse Comics. They can be found at major bookstores, comic book shops, and online retailers.
A Testament to the Power of Adaptation
Gou Tanabe’s Bram Stoker Award for “The Call of Cthulhu” is a testament to the power of adaptation and the enduring appeal of H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic horror. Tanabe’s masterful storytelling and artistic skill have brought Lovecraft’s nightmares to life, captivating readers and earning him a well-deserved place among the masters of horror.
