After nearly two years, a laundry of questions plaguing readers has finally been answered. Witness the truth behind the titular town. What still lies in store for this series as a whole, Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino, absolutely hold no prisoners with this immensely rewarding chapter. The duo continues to weave an immersive tapestry of mystery and horror with this standout title. As the television series is still yet to come, the ongoing title has still managed to feel as though it has only just begun.
Learning the truth behind his identity and family legacy, Norton Sinclair, now known as Daniel Sutton, becomes aware of how much his father truly knows about the Black Barn. The sinister Smiling Man continues to work from the shadows, beginning to make his way into the physical world inhabiting one body after the next, having escaped from the hospital. Meanwhile, Dr. Angela Xu and Father Wilfred Quinn come face to face with Bishop Jeremiah has Burke, one of the men lost during that fateful day in 1886. Learning more about the future, the bishop plans to send the duo on a journey through time. Back at the hospital, Daniel helps his father escape as they seek help from the Ploughmen.
Andrea Sorrentino continues to deliver his surrealistic pencil work and bringing an overall cinematic feel to each respective chapter. Between the design-oriented panel layouts and the beautifully detailed splash pages, Sorrentino brings a unique flavor to the market with this nightmare fueled mystery. Whether the beautifully saturated hues of the past to the dower overtones of present and future Gideon, Dave Stewart delivers nothing outside of spectacular colorwork to this chapter and creating the entire aesthetic of the series as a whole.
By far, Jeff Lemire’s most ambitious titles out currently. Every month he manages to delve even deeper into this world he has built with Sorrentino, adding layers to this immense labyrinth. Seeds from all the way back in the first volume have finally come into fruition, setting the stage from the very first page of the series, Lemire brings his best work to date on the title.
While many mysteries finally come to light, the future continues to remain bright for the series as even more new windows begin to burst wide open. With a television show not far off, this Eisner Award-winning series will continue to blow fans away with rich storytelling and exquisite artistry while pushing the medium and fully displaying the power of comic books in full force.
Grade: A+
