“Wild’s End” Chapter 3 The Dark Woods is the most exciting and engaging chapter yet. Picking up immediately after Gilbert’s head was vaporized last issue, the gang and an incredibly shaken Mr. Minks retreat into the relative safety of Susan’s home.
WRITTEN BY: Dan Abnett
ART BY: I.N.J Culbard
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: November 12, 2014
Reviewed By: Torin Chambers
Clive’s hardened wits and general common sense continues to be one of this groups few assets. Although I have found a new favorite character in the self medicating reclusive writer Susan Peardew, who also manages to fully grasp the situation they are in and not become baggage. She’s actually an astonishing help to the group and has become infinitely more engaging then the simple towns folk Clive has interacted with up until this point. While “Wild’s End” was a fun read before it’s now become a captivating experience.
Clive’s handling of Alph and Mr. Minks after Gilberts unfortunate but heroic passing is the first of a string of excellent scenes that beautifully spill from the page. He’s not overtly angry with them, it’s more disappointment than anything and he doesn’t sugar coat it for either of them.
Aside from Mr. Minks everyone has a couple excellent character moments this issue. I almost want to write Mr. Minks off at this point; he hasn’t had any of his own moments and only seems to slow everyone down. He can’t go very fast and is handling the situation much worse than everyone else. Even Alph, the child who’s caretaker/aunt was just killed has adjusted better. I would love to see him come into his own in the coming issues but right now he feels like he’s just there to artificially slow everyone down. Maybe he’s actually a robot in disguise or has some pact with them where they’ll spare him for his services? What ever happens to him I hope he evolves out of the stereotypical coward soon.
Dan Abnett has to be the certifiable master of the shocking and exciting final pages at this point. Always leaving your mouth watering for more and more. They get more astonishing and unpredictable with each passing issue.
Wild’s End has finally elevated itself from a fun romp into an appealing and enthralling read. Susan was just the punch in the arm Wild’s End needed, her along with Alph’s awesome character turns and the lovable but damaged Clive make Wild’s End easy to recommend. It can only go up from here until we reach the Wild’s End.
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Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter @TorinsChambers