Image Comics reviews 10/16/19 – The Marked #1, Gideon Falls #17

Gideon Falls #17

Horror/Thriller is so hard to do well. It’s nearly impossible in comics without the benefit of camera angles, ominous music and clueless characters. Yet every month writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino almost make it look easy. There’s a weird feeling when a comic panel can legit freak you out and somehow that happens multiple times this issue for me.

Norton and Fred find themselves swapped from their previous locations and they’re still disoriented. Fortunately they both have allies on the other side willing to help them sort things out. For Norton, it’s a woman claiming to be his sister as they sit in a waiting room hoping to get some news on their father. At the alternate Gideon Falls

Lemire does such a great job building the tension in this issue and constantly keeps instilling this sense of dread is right around the corner. And when it proves to be more than a cheap jump scare it’s a strong payoff.

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Sorrentino does some of the more creative layouts in the industry. There’s a real sense of artistry in the panel arrangements and the tiny details crammed throughout each page. Dave Stewart’s colors are an essential piece of this puzzle as it’s invaluable in establishing the mood.

Gideon Falls is not the standard comic as it doesn’t have to deliver major plot advancements each issue. The pacing works as maintaining that unnerving tone is more important than rushing to some shocking twist. The mood is key here.

Gideon Falls #17 delivers another eerie and unsettling installment for one of the best horror thrillers going today.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10