Comics
Review: ‘Harvest’ #4
Harvest is one of my favorite series coming out of Image in the past year. Not only does it offer a fresh idea of an intense, unexplored reality, but the art is mind blowing, packed with graphic imagery. In issue #4, story truly comes full circle from its first issue. A.J. Lieberman wove a comprehensive story line that seems to culminate with this book. With only one issue remaining in this 5-part arc, it’s no wonder this book takes it up a notch in its 4th issue with a fast pace story line, ample amount of bloodshed, and plot twists.
WRITTEN BY: A.J. Lieberman
ART BY: Colin Lorimer
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: 3.50
RELEASE DATE: November 7th
Issue #3 left off with our protagonist, former doctor, Ben Dane, about to get his underground surgery on. This issue opens up with a scene that strikes up déjà vu, as the very first “Harvest” issue opened at this moment. Having finished the flashback, we find ourselves at an unknown time. As per usual for Dane, the situation deteriorates around him and he’s once again on the run from Crave, Greer, and their goons. This issue is full of action and doesn’t lack the gore that “Harvest” showcases brilliantly. The issue starts off very fast but slows towards the end, there are several plot twists involved as well which lead up to a hefty cliffhanger ending.
The dialogue is clever, as always. The use of the child displays Dane’s inner thoughts; it also adds some dark humor as the kid can’t help but poke fun at Dane’s terrible situations.
I’m interested to see what role the police will have in this book. as they get closer to Dane it will start to become clear that he’s more of a puppet than they truly believe. But it is unknown where the blame is to be laid. Lieberman is doing one hell of a job with this book; I’ve been surprised constantly by the twists and turns, and with only one issue remaining I really have no idea how the story will culminate.
The art in “Harvest” is stellar, a very realistic look that holds a subtle sketchiness adding to its dark atmosphere. This book contains a lot more blood than the previous issue, beginning with a surgical scene show casing Lorimer’s detail on organs and gore. After this there is a sufficient amount of gun fire and blood shed, very well laid out and detailed.
“Harvest” fits its own niche and set a precedent for anyone who is thinking of dropping a book with a similar premise. If you’re a horror fan and you haven’t read this book yet I don’t know what you’re waiting for, only one more left to cap it off.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – GreenBasterd
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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