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vengefuldime's review against another edition
3.0
There are many repetitions of violence, seduction, and tragedy. However, it’s all the kind of horror that is hard to look away from, and it continues to feel important. The comic medium really does it justice, I think, in creating some distance from the characters. Looking at them from the outside, they’re horrible and interesting. However, I don’t see any need to portray entire peoples as primitive/mystical- and it doesn’t appear to be meaningful within the world either. The ending doesn’t feel fully complete, but I don’t know that it ever was going to be. The mystery retains its murkiness, but with the suggestion of a new direction. It could be predictable and hard to pin down at the same time.
briesespieces's review against another edition
5.0
Shit. This was too sad and fulfilling at the same time . * wipes away happy-sad tear *
jakekilroy's review
4.0
This was a wild ride to conclude a wild ride. Just supernatural, sinister mayhem. I had the advantage of going in knowing it didn't tidy up the history and legacy of respective powers, so I just got to witness the carnage and chaos. Quite the pulp.
howiedoowinfam's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
joseperth's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
arf88's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not sure I like this. I'm pretty sure I disliked it actually. Josephine was her most unsympathetic, none of the supernatural questions were answered, and the hero gets an "And I Must Scream" ending. I was so excited to read this final volume, but now I'm just wondering what the point of it all was.
duparker's review against another edition
5.0
Great ending to the series. Very well written and in keeping with the overall story. The build up was great, as was the ability of the reader to pick up this edition after not reading others for a bit.
caitcoy's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic finale to a great series!
In this final volume, after rescuing Nick from the psychotic killer who had imprisoned him at the end of volume four, Jo brings Nicolas to her friend Otto, the librarian. She and Otto have created plans for dealing with the cult, plans which require Nicolas’ help. But the bishop of the cult has his own plans and only their final confrontation will determine whose plans win out in the end.
This volume ties together the loose ends left from the other volumes and brings them to an end in a very satisfying fashion. It’s certainly not the ending I was expecting but it fits perfectly.
While the series started out heavily noir, the Lovecraftian influences take over in this volume as well. The themes of sanity being overwhelmed by the sheer terror of the existence of the brutal, implacable elder gods runs throughout the series and Brubaker pulls no punches as he wraps up this great saga. Best of all, at least for me, Brubaker doesn’t answer all your questions. No Lovecraft story ever fully explains its monsters and Brubaker continues that tradition.
The artwork for this volume is truly amazing and I’m still impressed at how well Phillips adapts his style from noir to Lovecraftian horror. While the noir artwork gave that gritty, 1950s feel to the story, the way Phillips draws the supernatural, otherworldly aspects of this part of the story really complements Brubaker’s horror writing. It’s just fantastic all around.
Brubaker and Phillips are one of my absolute favorite duos in comics ever and I honestly cannot recommend this series and particularly this volume highly enough.
In this final volume, after rescuing Nick from the psychotic killer who had imprisoned him at the end of volume four, Jo brings Nicolas to her friend Otto, the librarian. She and Otto have created plans for dealing with the cult, plans which require Nicolas’ help. But the bishop of the cult has his own plans and only their final confrontation will determine whose plans win out in the end.
This volume ties together the loose ends left from the other volumes and brings them to an end in a very satisfying fashion. It’s certainly not the ending I was expecting but it fits perfectly.
Spoiler
I liked that it wasn’t some happy ending where Nicolas and Jo walk off into the sunset either alone or together. The idea that there were consequences that Nicolas didn’t know he was walking into fits the tone of the poor men that have become involved with Jo. And it was nice to see Jo finally getting the ending she’s been longing for this entire time.While the series started out heavily noir, the Lovecraftian influences take over in this volume as well. The themes of sanity being overwhelmed by the sheer terror of the existence of the brutal, implacable elder gods runs throughout the series and Brubaker pulls no punches as he wraps up this great saga. Best of all, at least for me, Brubaker doesn’t answer all your questions. No Lovecraft story ever fully explains its monsters and Brubaker continues that tradition.
The artwork for this volume is truly amazing and I’m still impressed at how well Phillips adapts his style from noir to Lovecraftian horror. While the noir artwork gave that gritty, 1950s feel to the story, the way Phillips draws the supernatural, otherworldly aspects of this part of the story really complements Brubaker’s horror writing. It’s just fantastic all around.
Brubaker and Phillips are one of my absolute favorite duos in comics ever and I honestly cannot recommend this series and particularly this volume highly enough.
saoki's review against another edition
5.0
A punch to the guts of a finale, and that's just as it should be. This is one unique series.
r_lea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0