I’m not sure where to start. I was late to the party on this one, which is more the norm for me these days given my … what do they call it … “Work Life Balance”? Riggghhhtt. I have no such balance, so as much as I’d love to sit around each and every day, writing my thoughts down over the things I enjoy, there is that little problem of paying bills and acquiring foodstuffs.
Ok…enough of that.. Gideon Falls… The Black Barn. I’m still not sure what it truly represents, but I’m “ascared”. It’s that rare treat where you know you’re hooked early on.
Blown away? FACT! I picked up Volume 1 of this incredible series and knew I had to share it with you, the inter-web folk. If you’ve got a pulse and enjoy horror, you will love this series. If you’re a fan of comics, you will love this series. I could go on… I’ll spare you. This tale reminds me a lot of the classic stories we’ve come to love. Salem’s Lot comes to mind. In fact, this just felt like a lost Steven King story from the beginning. I mean that in a good way. The story is well paced and hard to put down. Having finished volume 1, I’ve decided that I want to read it again before picking up volume 2. I want to savor this like a fine whiskey or wine.
The story introduces us to a priest, but not your traditional priest. Father Wilfred is clearly a flawed individual… Alcoholic, you get the sense that he doubts his faith, but there is a strength in this man that comes through. I say this of course having only read Volume 1, the Black Barn ( issues 1-6 ). Needless to say I find the character riveting. It’s like a great movie where you become annoyed when your favorite character is not in the scene. You want more of this man. You want to understand what makes him tick. As he begins to question people in town over recent happenings, you are further drawn in. Hey Scoob, we’ve got a mystery to solve! Then there’s Norton, the social recluse. The troubled individual and inpatient that has… visions. He believes that he sees beyond the veil. Perhaps he is right. He creeps me out. I get the sense that the writers do not want you to be comfortable with him, or with his perspective on things. I’m looking forward to finding out where the author leads us; likely a dark, twisted corridor.
The art and writing combine here to take us to a very special place. I doubt that I will be disappointed with volume 2, and am preparing myself for what comes next. If I continue to blather on, I’ll take something away from the strength of this story which is its ability to push you to turn that page and continue reading! Stories like this are what drove me to comics. I would suggest that it’s the very thing that made comics great at one time. I can do without the social justice in my stories. It has its place, but not in my collection. I read comics to escape. The team of Lemire, Sorrrentino, and Stewart have done just that with this epic read.
Go pick this one up!
Retrodude
RetroDudeZ 