The plague begins!
Creative Staff:
Story: Evan Dorkin
Art: Veronica Fish
Letterer: Andy Fish
What They Say:
The Blackwood curse claims its first victim in a most horrific manner, the three surviving students attempt to lift the curse on their own by hunting down Dean Ogden, Chimp Ho Tep is on the loose and causing havoc for reasons unknown, and the Bug Mother sends her ”millions of babies” on a murderous revenge mission against the school.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Blackwood has definitely been an intriguing book from the start and with it concluding in the next issue that leaves me hopeful that this is the first of several miniseries exploring this particular campus. Evan Dorkin’s working a fun flavor of the occult/horror side here that definitely works for me since it’s open to a lot of weirdness along the way. It also continues to work well since we get Veronica and Andy Fish working to bring it to life as there’s a good sense of personality about the characters and what they’re doing and how they’re feeling. Small things like that can go a long way to really making it engaging and between that and all the great detail in the backgrounds it has a look that really connects for me.
The death of Dennis has now put everyone on edge for obvious reasons and the core group is freaking out on different levels as to how connected they are to it with the curse that Ogden put on them. Reiko’s the one that’s the most connected to understanding Blackwood by not freaking out over all the reveals, especially compared to Wren, but there’s a good sense that they’re in something deep here. And Colby with his kind of standoffish approach and almost disconnected way of thinking of other things instead of in the moment only complicates things. He’s got a lot more to connect with so it makes sense and I love the way that everyone they’re dealing with seems to say that the disturbing side of this college is starting earlier and more problematic than usual. That does not make this a welcoming place.
The further they delve into everything the stranger it gets, such as the memorial grove outside of the Dean’s residence where Tyler is able to point out that the graves are empty – and that there are only four of them to begin with. There’s a lot of curiosities going on in trying to get into the locked room in the place – at the cost of some fingers for another professor – but also just a growing sense of danger as well. While the heavy coat of Ogden’s is being swiped by little beasties we also get a plague of insects swarming across the area, first taking out Jamar but also others along the way. Jamar at least gets to live since it was quick thinking material but the old woman coming to the campus has a deadly plan all of her own that I really can’t wait to see how it all connects in the next installment.
In Summary:
Blackwood is primed for a whole lot of stories that can really grow this concept into something big and I’m hopeful that this opening four-issue run can get it all in motion. The third issue here does some fun stage setting for what’s to come with a new thread, reinforcing the bigger issue, and digging into a variety of smaller character issues, from Wren’s coldness toward everything and Reiko’s own ease with what Blackwood really is all about. It’s a solidly fun if creepy and violent book at times and it delivers an engaging throughline with what’s going on all while bringing out lots of great artwork. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 16+
Released By: Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 25th, 2018
MSRP: $3.99
