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‘Harrow County #29:’ Advance Comic Book Review

Issue #29 begins the final story arc of Harrow County – one of my favorite comic books of the last couple years – and contains one of the most moving and heartbreaking story beats I’ve experienced in a while. The story of Emmy, while wildly succeeding on the level of the horror genre which it finds itself comfortably living in, also succeeds at reaching the heights of an epic Greek tragedy set in the gothic south. Whether the story will end tragically, I don’t know…in fact, I have no idea how this is going to end, only that in this small neck of the woods called Harrow County, gods and monsters, family and friends, family and family, and all manor of loved ones wage war against each other. They spill each other’s blood and eat each other’s flesh. It’s a dark, morbid tale penned by Cullen Bunn and with the beautiful fable-like artwork from Tyler Crook.

MINOR SPOILERS BELOW

Crook’s imagery is violent, but never gross. The most disturbing imagery is, at times, caught in the smile of a character who is in the midst of some devilish thought or deed. The most beautiful imagery is found in a moment that’s full of sorrow, as storytellers Bunn and Crook have found a balance few others in recent years have found. They aren’t just churning this out; they care about their work, they care about these characters, and they have a passion for this world.

This final story arc (minor spoilers in this paragraph for those with sensitive eyes and who would like to read from the top with a fresh palette) finds Emmy having to face the one that started this story: her mother, a witch buried under a tree, the same tree that birthed Emmy. This is going to be a showdown like no other. If you want to be a part of it, find the collection and get caught up – you’ll thank me.

Special call out to Crook who is also on lettering here. You can hear the voices of the characters as their words float in the wobbly bubbles. Like some of the other comics Daniel Chabon edits, this book is thought out from top to bottom. If you see Chabon’s name on a book, it’s a mark of excellence.

This series is supposed to be turned into a TV series for SyFy. If I had my druthers, I’d be working on it in some capacity. Being someone who has read this series religiously has been a treat. To be a part of the recreation of this world for another medium would be glorious.

Creative Team: Cullen Bunn (writer), Tyler Crook (art, letters), Daniel Chabon (editor), Brett Israel (assistant editor), Mike Richardson (publisher), Keith Wood (designer), Christianne Goudreau (digital art technician)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Click here to purchase.

Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor

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