By Cat Wyatt

The story continues to slowly unfold in Evolution #4. We’re still focused on the same set of characters, all of whom are working on the puzzle (for lack of a better description) from different angles. While the Doctor probably has the best background for understanding the issue, he’s absolutely the worst at getting people to understand him (he rambles more than a doomsayer).

I’ll admit the cover for this issue had me a little concerned about the graphic nature inside (I don’t know why I’m not sure it’ll get much more than we’ve already seen?), but the worry seems to have been mostly unfounded.

Like the previous issues, I’m going to lump each character’s events together, rather than talking about everything in the exact order that they appeared in (if you want that I highly suggest you simply follow the series for that, they do a wonderful job of it).

In Los Angeles Claire has decided to face Mr. Hurwitz (and her fears) and ask him directly about the money he paid her. I can understand her concerns about him paying her off (to stay quiet about what she witnessed). Apparently the man had been friends with her parents longer than she was aware, and thus he felt obligated to help her pay off the debt they had racked up. It’s actually quiet kind, when you think about it. Assuming he’s telling the truth, that is. It’s probably worth noting that Hurwitz is hiding one of those…growths…on his neck under a scarf. But we pretty much already knew that about him anyway, now it’s just confirmed.

Do you remember how Hannah’s story left off in the last issue? With her fleeing the church because the priest wouldn’t listen to her? She made it out safely, and apparently she had a specific goal in mind; find Juan. He’s the last person left that she feels she can trust, so it makes sense that she would run to him (even if we have no clue who he is).

We knew there was more to Hannah than she was letting on. The fact that she was infected with whatever this is made that pretty clear. Finally we get a glimpse of what happened to her. When she was eighteen she went to a party, where she witnessed people taking drugs and repeating the word ‘praegressus’ over and over (no wonder that she was triggered when the young man said that before killing himself). She saw things her mind couldn’t cope with that night, resulting in her fleeing (I’m seeing a common theme here) to the church, where she stayed until this day.

Meanwhile in Pennsylvania the doctor is having some issues, to put it kindly. He can see the bug (his choice of words) where nobody else can, and I think that fact is starting to get to him. It’s almost like the bug is taunting him – it knows nobody will ever believe him, so it doesn’t have to hide from him. I’m not sure if that is actually accurate, since we’re seeing this side through his biased perspective, but it certainly appears to be the case…

The doctor has a plan to force the bug to reveal itself to the world, but I’m not sure what it is. I’m also not sure it will be safe (for him or the people infected), but I doubt anybody could talk some sense into him at this point. He’s determined to ‘drag it out into the light’ no matter the cost. And that’s what concerns me.

I love the slow buildup of this story. We’re slowly getting the chance to put pieces of the puzzle back together, sometimes with help and sometimes not. I’m sure there will be a cataclysmic event at the end of all of this buildup, but in the meantime I’m enjoying the pace that has been set. The author doesn’t rush, which adds to the eerie tone of the series.

I’m thrilled that the art style has remained the same through all of these issues. The rougher sketchy quality to the artwork really adds to the horror element being told. The use of color palette to imply tone and moods is brilliant as well.

Score: 4/5

Evolution #4
Image Comics