Gentleman Cthulhu: Year One

What happens when you take the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft and filter it through the prim and proper sensibilities of Victorian literature? You get Gentleman Cthulhu, a humorous web-comic that proves even ancient eldritch gods can have impeccable manners.

Told in the traditional three-panel comic strip format, Gentleman Cthulhu publishes on gentlemancthulhu.com and has spawned multiple volumes. The comic combines J.M. DeSantis’s distinctive sense of humor—often bizarre, always entertaining—with his love for Gothic horror, Victorian-era wit, and classic monsters. The influence of Mike Mignola (creator of Hellboy) is evident in DeSantis’s approach to balancing comedy with genuine creepy atmosphere.

Year One collects the initial stories from this charming series, featuring a Cthulhu who prefers a nice cup of tea to consuming minds. These aren’t your typical cosmic horror tales—instead, they find humor in the intersection between ancient oblivion and everyday politeness. The comic plays with expectations: readers familiar with Lovecraft’s dread-filled narratives get to see those same elements recontextualized through a lens of proper etiquette and gentle absurdity.

Perfect for fans of Lovecraftian horror who enjoy their eldritch menace with a side of humor, web-comics that use the three-panel format creatively, and anyone who appreciates stories where ancient gods have to deal with the mundane aspects of modern life.