There were three “oh crap” moments in this issue. The first moment was within the first eight pages. I was getting the impression initially that this was going to be slow-moving. I wasn’t happy about that. The second moment was more like a “oh crap, no wonder it was so slow in the beginning, it was setting me up for this!” Then I got really excited. I was remembering why I’ve continued reading this series in the first place. Now the third “oh crap” moment could have to do with my interpretation of the possible direction of the book from this point on. I don’t want to sway anyone just yet, but I’ll pepper that moment in here in a second. Mel surprised everyone last month by springing from her catatonic state and saving Eve from a very possible and gruesome death. Now she’s back and everything seems to be fine, or is it? She and Nate are back together. They appear to be one of those disgusting kissy face, make you want to throw up kind of couples. That’s all well and good, but now there seems to be tension between these two women who used to be best friends. Of course Nate, like I would be, is completely gaga for the lovesick Mel and doesn’t see what else could possibly be going on. And now I’ll talk about the third “oh crap” moment:
Is this turning into a Soap Opera? I really hope not. I’m not a big fan of the daytime television dynamic. I think that Kittredge is a fantastic writer, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Coffin Hill so far, but I hope that this is just an isolated incident, and that it continues to be the series that I voted for in the Ghastly Awards.
Here is the where this issue really stood out more so than usual. The very first panel of this issue blew my freaking mind. The art was good throughout, but the way that the lighting fell on the character in that panel, looked ridiculously real. I don’t think that I’ve ever seen anything in a comic book quite like it before. That was some amazing stuff from Inaki Miranda. I made a note of it immediately. I didn’t want to take the chance of leaving a detail like that out of this review. Bravo.
Coffin Hill continues to be the most interesting series that I’ve been reading lately. Aside from that one hiccup (that may only be in my mind), I’m still very impressed with everything that I’ve seen so far. This is a six issue arc. That means that there are two to go. I know that Caitlin Kittredge and Inaki Miranda are going to deliver. I wouldn’t still be reading if there was any doubt of that. I look forward to the next two months.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Caitlin Kittredge Artist: Inaki Miranda Publisher: DC/Vertigo Price: $2.99 Release Date: 1/15/14