Review: Deadhorse #3

Well after two raving reviews, an exclusive first look and a boasting podcast, is there any doubt that I enjoyed the hell out of this book?The uniqueness of the story and the stylistic art continue to make this bookstand out from just about anything else on the market. What’s more amazing is that it’s just two creators doing everything.Not that you need a million and one people working on the book, but it’scertainly become common place in the industry. I know that I have thereputation of the “indie” guy that hates everything the bigger corporations putout, but if you honestly look at the books I review and talk about you’ll findthat I’m well versed in comics. I feel the need to point that out so thatwhen I give this book another great review you don’t write it off as an indiefanboy loving it because it’s indie. This series has real merit in the world of comics.

I loved the way this issue opened. The previous issue leftus with our main character Mr. Pike in danger after the bus had a sudden "accident." This issue takes a break from that scene and takes a TV show approachas it brings us back later. We’re dropped into a car with a family offive; the only boy in the family has just finished reading about the Sasquatchand was come to the conclusion that it’s real. He begins arguing with hissister until their father nearly hits… a Sasquatch. No not the mythical beast,but the man dressed as a Sasquatch. It’s a clever and funny opening scene thatdrops us off right where it left off before.

Now in the pouring rain, Sasquatch begins interrogatingpeople looking for Mr. Pike.  This forcesPike to make a decision on what to do, he knows he can’t let the key fall in tothe Sasquatch’s hands. He decides to give it to his newly made friends for safekeeping and asks them to run off into the forest. They all agree to meet up atthe Trapper’s Keep. Pike then decides to take on the Sasquatch, but not beforehe’s sniffed out.

“Like dead dreams and charred canary.”

That line made me laugh so much. It’s feels out of place andhell the entire character of the Sasquatch feels out of place, but it works inthe story. The Sasquatch character or “Frank,” was very well crafted. He’s evengiven a brief character background that provokes emotions on his behalf. I wanted tojust accept him as a goofy one off character, but Eric Grissom wouldn’t let me.He made me care for his plight and want him to continue to play a role in thestory.

Grissom continues to impress me with his pacing. He coversso many characters and story points within the issue that you’d typically feelshort changed, but not with Deadhorse.Instead I’m left wondering how other books can’t seem to do the same. Alreadyin our tale we have at least three main characters and dozens of supportingcharacters in the present day storyline alone. There’s a very strong balance thatkeeps the mystery interesting and is starting to give me a bit of an X-Files vibe in the sense of mystery andsupernatural element.

Usually once I’ve praised the art once or twice I move on.What’s left to say right? Not the case with this issue as Phil Sloan somehowmanaged to improve upon his already unique style. His layouts in this issuewere dynamic and truly captured the action of the scene. When Pike is facingthe Sasquatch its pouring rain and there is a feeling of helplessness for Pike’scharacter. This scene and the entire opening sequence where just amazing andfelt bigger somehow than the first two issues. Honestly at this point Iactually want more characters just to see what Sloan will do with them.

This book is definitely my pick of the week. I enjoyed theissue from beginning to end and this series is quickly becoming oneof my all-time favorite comic books. Now that doesn’t mean that Deadhorse gets a free pass as I expectthe story to continue to amp up everything that I’m enjoying about it to thenext level. I would hate to see this product plateau and never reach its fullpotential. As usual you will not find Deadhorsein print (not yet anyways), but you can find this 100% indie title on Deadhorse.com or Graphiclyand even DriveThru Comics so check it out this week.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Eric Grissom

Artist: Phil Sloan

Publisher: Deadhorse Comics

Release Date: 2/1/2012

Issue #1 Review

Issue #2 Review