Well The Woods has been building towards something pretty big for the last four issues. Well, really the last twelve when you look at the series as a whole, but with each arc broken up in fours it’s easier to digest that way. There’s not a whole lot I can say about the ending of this story arc. Much like the three before it a lot of stuff happens. I think each arc has been successful in changing the landscape of the plot at its conclusion and that’s definitely the case with The Woods #12.
While the issue is good and successfully ends in a satisfying way, it was also the first time that I basically could call the ending. Now I’m not knocking it for that because that could be me getting on the same page finally after twelve issues. It could just be good writing from James Tynion as he’s included the reader more and made it less “shock and awe” with the reveals. Maybe his intention this time around wasn’t to surprise us knowing that he had done so, many times before. It’s hard to say, but yeah I wasn’t as surprised by the outcome and while the landscape has changed I don’t know if it was as big of a deal as it should have been for the conclusion of the first year of story… and that’s okay.
We read comics for these ups and downs. No story can be thrilling and pleasing all the time and if it was you’d grow tired of it. Hell maybe that’s all this is, is me tired of digesting and analyzing it so much, but that’s okay too. That’s fucking comics. That’s what divides this fan base from all the others because we all do this. And that’s why I’m not knocking the story down for what I felt while reading the book. I do think the pacing needed some work. A lot of time is spent in the wrong places and that led to some weaker payoffs for certain characters.
Also I was beyond pissed to see Calder’s brother back and read the things he was saying. That’s good though. The dude is a character I love to hate, but I really hate him. I’m not looking forward to where Calder’s story goes and it sucks because he’s become my favorite character for sure. We’ll see though.
Now I’ve come to the difficult task of finding something new to say about the art. The art is absolutely consistent. That’s what makes this books damn good. If there was a rotation of artists on this series it wouldn’t be nearly as good. Hell if this book didn’t have Michael Dialynas on the series it wouldn’t be The Woods. It would be the wood or something like that.
I can see Dialynas improving. Visually it’s not leaps and bounds because then it would be too noticeable and mess with the consistency of the series. It’s the little details though like longer hair, dirtier clothing and the sense of time having passed. That’s all visual and it’s so damn good. It’s what keeps me coming back because as good as the writing is, as good as the dialogue is, I’m honestly here for the visuals and the story they tell. I can’t get enough.
I’m definitely taking a break from reviewing The Woods for a bit because I want to just enjoy the series. I do now, but there’s just something nice about not analyzing a book after reading it. To want to talk about it on a casual level. I won’t stop reading it though and I won’t let you forget about it when it returns in June. In the meantime, you should get caught up because this is still one of if not the best monthly series from BOOM!
Score: 5/5
The Woods #12 Writer: James Tynion IV Artist: Michael Dialynas Colorist: Josan Gonzalez Publisher: BOOM! Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 4/1/15 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital