Publisher: Dark Horse
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Mike Norton
Colorist: Allen Passalaqua
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover: Steve Morris
The penultimate issue of this series of The Occultist has arrived, and it is a heck of a story. The hungry dead are ready to break free due to violations of the oath the Occultist is making. Rob is shirking all responsibility to play with oblivion, thus causing said violations. Everyone is in grave danger, and what else can happen?
Things with the impostor of James, Rob’s mentor, are staying gross as it deals with maintaining the fraud. Anna is working with Mr. Elder to get to Rob, which means more possessed adventures. While Rob is dealing with his addiction to being so close to death and the bliss it can bring. This part of the story gets really gross in its visuals, and it’s amazing. We see some really strange and messed up landscapes in this land of the dead. I don’t want to give anything away, but there are some terrifying baby things.
The art is still top notch. Again, the landscapes and dead creatures in this are wonderful in how unnerving they look. We get some great action scenes and some fantastic horror shots that convey the story with or without the words. I loved the way the dead that come to warn Anna look; they look so interesting I want a book all about them.
There is a bit of the plot that feels rushed, but I think that has more to do with wanting to know more about these side characters that we may likely never get. I guess having characters I want to know more about that are side characters is a good complaint to have.
If you’re already reading this series, I don’t really have to say much to get you to continue reading. If you’re new to this? Go grab the first three issues as well so you can be caught up in time for the final issue of this arc.
Dr. Alexander Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net