“Harrow County” #3 builds off the previous issue’s reveal to offer the darkest look at human nature yet. Perhaps what could have been easily written off (but shouldn’t be – mind you) as a Southern Gothic comic builds to its most shocking moment this month. Emmy’s past horrors are nothing compared to what Cullen Bunn throws at her this issue.
WRITTEN BY: Cullen Bunn
ART BY: Tyler Crook
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: July 7th, 2015
Small towns – or rather isolated places tend to talk a lot about the people who reside within them. This creates a distinctly predatory environment where people are consumed for entertainment. It’s clear that Emmy is pursued because of what she can say. Words carry a lot of power against superstition and despite the ending of the last issue, this time around it’s human evil that poses the largest threat.
It would be easy to write off “Harrow County” as a typical monster filled affair. Here, though – in a world populated with unsightly horrors Bunn shows that man is the greatest monster of all. It’s a lesson that was present on almost every page of issue one. But, something that seems like an afterthought in issue two. This sleight of hand is a great tactic to show the reader the brutality of the world they’re in.
Emmy definitely shines through once again. This is mostly due to her perseverance in the face of danger. She continually gives echoes of any horror movies final girl. Yet, she’s about ten years younger than the average horror protagonist. It’s a unique and refreshing perspective that allows Harrow County to stand out.
Bunn layers his script with huge implications of the looming truth that has yet to be revealed. After the final page of this issue the reader has a much better sense of why Harrow County is such a fearful place. There are still plenty of questions left on the page. And really only half answers offered, but they are captivating in their emotional complexity. It’s an assurance that the story is in good hands from here on out. The script is afraid to linger in small moments to create something more than little girl versus monsters.
Now, Tyler Crook is becoming a quick standout for artist of the year on this book. Despite his insane process (which I’ll continue to praise until I’m dead) he manages to convey the most emotional moment of this issue with an irresistible simplicity. In a series known for grand and colorful displays of horror – Crook takes his talents and centers them on the human eye. He epitomizes the most horrific part of the issue around these “windows to the soul” and you feel it all. You can’t help but feel shivers up your spine in the climax of this issue. And, for an artist with his talents this reduction to a more complex human feature was not only needed but packs such a gut punch that his panels will linger with you for days after you close the final page.
With a narrative that only gets stronger with each separate issue “Harrow County” is easily the best horror comic on the stands. It reminds us what we’re scared of and it isn’t afraid to show us that even the most horrendous creatures can be beautiful.