DC Comics

Red Thorn #8

Comic Books Library
by Comic Books Library August 01, 2025
Red Thorn #8


Red Thorn #8 – A Wicked Garden

Genre

🌌 Urban Fantasy • Mythological Fiction • Supernatural Drama

Combining Scottish folklore with gritty urban storytelling, Red Thorn is a myth-laced dark fantasy set in modern-day Glasgow. It explores the clash between ancient gods and modern mortals, layered with themes of destiny, rebellion, and hidden truths.

Main Characters

  • Red Thorn – A powerful and enigmatic demigod rooted in ancient Scottish myth, newly awakened in the modern world.

  • Isla Mackintosh – A young artist whose drawings bring mythological beings to life, unknowingly unlocking forces she cannot control.

  • Tarek – Isla’s close friend and reluctant participant in the supernatural events unfolding around them.

  • The Stepping Orc – A mysterious figure that bridges folklore and chaos, with ambiguous motives.

  • The Couril – A guardian spirit linked to the ancient Callanish Stone Circle, keeper of long-buried secrets.

  • The Upstart Gods – Violent and unruly deities threatening to unravel the balance of power across the human and divine realms.

Writer

✍️ David Baillie
Baillie brings a unique voice to the narrative, blending Scottish legend with contemporary fantasy. His background in both comics and prose writing gives the series a literary edge, full of layered symbolism and cultural depth.

Artist

🎹 Meghan Hetrick
Hetrick’s art is moody, dynamic, and gorgeously textured. Her use of shadow, expression, and mythic surrealism captures both the gritty realism of Glasgow and the ethereal terror of the gods.

Editor Details

🖋️ Shelly Bond (Executive Editor)
Known for her visionary work at Vertigo, Bond’s editorial hand ensures Red Thorn remains bold, provocative, and boundary-pushing in both theme and style.

Publisher and Brand

🏱 DC Comics – Vertigo Imprint
As part of Vertigo's legacy of mature, genre-defining storytelling, Red Thorn sits alongside classics like Sandman and Hellblazer, appealing to fans of mythic depth and psychological complexity.

Release Year

📅 2016

Brief Plot Summary

In Red Thorn #8, the series kicks off a brand-new arc titled “A Wicked Garden.” As blood rains down on Glasgow, the Upstart Gods begin their reign of terror. Thorn discovers the local flair of kilts, while the enigmatic Stepping Orc pays a cryptic visit to the Whitburn Wiccan. Meanwhile, Isla and Tarek have mysteriously vanished, leaving behind a trail of questions. Deep within the Callanish Stone Circle, the ancient spirit known as the Couril guards a secret that could change everything. This issue sets the stage for chaos, revealing hidden players and unseen powers in a shifting divine war.

Notable Arcs or Storylines

🌀 "A Wicked Garden" Arc Begins
This issue marks the beginning of a new narrative arc that shifts focus from awakening mythology to the violent consequences of meddling with divine forces. It raises the stakes dramatically as Thorn faces opposition from both gods and mortals alike.

Fan Theories or Interpretations

🔍 Theory: Isla as a Modern Muse
Fans speculate that Isla may be more than a conduit—perhaps she is the reincarnation of an ancient muse or a lost deity herself. Her powers suggest a creative force central to the battle between old and new gods.
đŸȘš Callanish Stone Circle’s Cosmic Role
The Couril’s presence at the Callanish Stones hints at the site being a cosmic nexus, possibly aligning ley lines or magical thresholds. Some believe this sacred site may be the battleground for an impending god-war.

Review Summary

⭐ Rating: 8.5/10
Red Thorn #8 dazzles with lush, haunting visuals and a rich continuation of a unique mythological saga. The writing is bold and poetic, delving deeper into Scottish mythos while pushing the story forward with new characters and heightened tension. Meghan Hetrick’s artwork elevates the narrative with eerie detail and cinematic paneling. With strong character development and a renewed sense of urgency, this issue breathes fresh life into the series, making it a must-read for fantasy lovers and Vertigo veterans alike. ⚔️🖌️đŸ”„

Enter the Wicked Garden. Where the gods are angry, the mortals are missing, and the truth is buried beneath sacred stones.



Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)

Red Thorn #8
Language : English