Bad Medicine

A group of Cree teens gather around a fire to share stories of spirits and shapeshifters in this chilling debut graphic novel.

“Bad Medicine’s about as good as medicine can get — stories with blood on the ground, sure, but a lot left in the heart, too.” —Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians 

After wandering out to the river near their homes, five teens decide to build a fire and exchange horror stories. Chad begins by telling the group about an unfortunate fisher who encountered a cluster of small, malevolent creatures while navigating the river in his canoe. Attempting to defend himself, Carl lashed out with an oar… and his world changed forever. One by one, the teens try to outdo each other, and the evening evolves into an impromptu storytelling competition.

On certain nights, if you walk along Loon River and peer under the bridge, you might spot a fire. You might hear a laugh. You might hear a scream. If you edge closer—and the conditions are just right—your view of the river will melt away, into the inky black beyond the firelight. Not to worry—the echoes of rushing water will help you find your way back. Or will they?

Inspired by Cree folklore and modern Cree life, Bad Medicine will transport readers to terrifying new worlds that only exist at the edges of human imagination.

“Like a peyote-stitch medallion, the interlaced pattern of stories found within Twin’s graphic novel, Bad Medicine, remind me of belonging, remind me of cold nights around a warm fire with friends—sharing chilling stories, some all too real and close to home. This Indigenous horror debut is a medallion I’d wear proudly on my chest. And? I have a clawing hunger for more.” —Shane Hawk, author of Anoka and co-editor of Never Whistle At Night

About Christopher Twin

Christopher Twin has been doing freelance illustration and comic work for close to a decade. He was self-taught from an early age and took correspondence courses.

In 2018 he enrolled on the Fine Art program at Grant MacEwan University to advance his practice as well as to explore other mediums. His self-directed work is usually narrative driven and consists of stories about journeys of self-discovery and stories in the Horror and/or Science fiction genres. Christopher’s work is inspired by social/cultural divides, alternative philosophies/religions, and life as a mixed-race person.

He was born and raised on the Swan River First Nations reservation in northern Alberta and now lives and works in Edmonton, Alberta.

Publication Details

ISBN: 9781772620870
116 pages, full colour
trade paperback
October 24 2023