Comics
Comic Book Review: Wilds End #5 Barely Advances The Plot
“Wild’s End” hits its penultimate chapter this month with what ends up being a bit of a mixed bag. For an issue almost entirely encompassed by running there’s not much real plot progression and no reveals to speak of. Abnett is definitely saving some of his juicy twists for next month’s finale, although I bet that issue will completely satisfy it leaves this month’s chapter a wee thin. It’s still a good read just one with a few more hiccups than normal.
WRITTEN BY: Dan Abnett
ART BY: I.N.J Culbard
PUBLISHER: BOOM! Studios
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: January 14, 2015
Reviewed By: Torin Chambers
Wasting absolutely no time Wild’s End #5 picks up immediately after issue #4’s cliffhanger ending. Mr. Slipaway rushes back to the bar which is now engulfed in flames, in an attempt to save Mr. Blatchley and Alph. Mr. Blatchley, as we all know was incinerated last issue but little Alph manages to make it out. Although with horribly burned hands from trying, in vain, to save Mr. Blatchley. It’s almost heart breaking to see this little guy go through so much pain, both mentally and physically. He’s visibly shaken by the ordeal and is sort of aloof for the rest of the issue. Not being able to fully come to terms with what’s happened and still is happening around him.
The remainder of the issue follows our heroes as they try to make their way back to Lower Crowchurch, using any means at their disposal. A couple interesting dynamics form this issue as Mr. Slipaway and Mr. Fawkes become something of a leadership team and Ms. Peardew and Mr. Minks strike up an intriguing friendship. While these new dynamics are refreshing they don’t add much to the plot.
Visually this is the most beautiful Wild’s End has looked yet. I.N.J Culbard flourishes during a gorgeous night scene. The first page of the river side at night is absolutely stunning and it just keeps getting prettier. The starry night sky is dotted with a massive amount of stars that gives a sense of just how much is out there. Out there, where these space-things have come from. Thematically I love it.
While the plot barely advances this month, instead there’s some excellent character work happening and the visuals are at an all-time high. Wild’s End’s finale next month is sure to bring it all home in a big way and I’ll be counting down the days.
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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