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Harrower #3 – Boom! Studios
Creative Team: Justin Jordan, Brahm Revel, and Pat Brosseau
Welcome to an all-new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book review blog to the ODPH Podcast via Nerd Initiative!
For this entry, the latest hit series from BOOM! Studios hits the midway point and horror fans haven’t been able to stop raving about it! HARROWER by Justin Jordan, Brahm Revel, and Pat Brosseau takes the classic elements of slasher films, and amplifies them to connect with a whole new audience. Considering how things were left in the last issue, who knows what to expect now?
Before we start the review, the images featured reflect the horror story going on and some pictures might be too intense for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. That said and if still good to go, let’s take a closer look at the latest chapter, shall we?
**Graphic Horror Content Ahead Viewer Discretion Advised**
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Barlowe, New York…A Quiet Place
Barlowe, New York seems like a quiet town at first glance, but there is definitely more than meets the eye happening here. After the town sheriff is killed, a mark is found in his home. The mark is the “sinner’s mark”, which summons the Harrower, an avenger that “keeps Barlowe pure.” Jessa and her friends think of the Harrower as a myth and give the warning from their teacher little weight. On the way to a house party, some of Jessa’s friends find out first hand that the Harrower is no myth!
Even at the party, there is an eerie mood hovering around them. There is no cell phone service and the landline is dead. Shortly after, the power goes out completely to the house. What follows next is pure mayhem as the Harrower makes his move. Things become dire until help arrives in Carter Creed, the outsider at school whose sister died in the same car accident as Jessa’s brother and the sheriff’s son. Carter has had an inkling of something coming ever since finding his dad killed in issue #1.
What Happens Next?
This issue wastes no time hitting the ground running (literally) as Carter drives the police car directly into the Harrower! Knowing that won’t stop it, Carter starts firing a shotgun directly at the wounded evil. Jessa is ordered back inside the house with who’s left until Reed pushes his way in. Knowing what we do about him, readers will be waiting to see what he does to impact the current event. Carter takes the fight directly to the Harrower to buy time. In the process, he destroys part of its’ mask, vowing not to follow in its footsteps.
Meanwhile, Jessa and the survivors are assessing options. With the house burning down around them and dead bodies everywhere, options for survival are slim. Carter kicks in the door badly injured and orders everyone to the basement. What secrets lurk underneath the house?
Readers get many big reveals as the truth behind the unstoppable killer starts coming to light. Secrets are unveiled that shatter the status quo of everything Jessa knew. Can she survive the night with all she knows now? Trust me when I say no one will be expecting what happens when the final panels appear.
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Story Review
Jordan doesn’t shy away from the huge reveals throughout this issue. Before we get into those (as much as we can without spoiling…they’re THAT good), the issue immediately captures the unstoppable evil verses, the ordinary hero theme played out in many films. It’s a great way to start events rolling as seeing Carter’s valiant attempts to stop the killer elevates not only his own character but why the Harrower is such a danger. The moment with the broken mask feels as it will come into play later but deepens the lore of the Harrower.
Momentum swings back to Jessa after the descent into the basement as so many reveals hit to flesh out the mystery while creating new ones. Jordan paces them out well, giving enough time to let the information hit before moving onto the next one, leading into the big bombshell at the issue’s end. There is a great deal to process after reading this issue but it’s very well done that readers will want to do an immediate re-read.
Artwork Overview
Revel pulls no punches with the brutality of Carter’s standoff with the Harrower. The fight is bloody, intense and leaves nothing off limits. It is literally everything you want from the good vs. evil battle seen in every great horror story. As Jessa and company walk through the carnage of the house party, the panels exemplify the danger they’re running from.
Even when the reveals start in the basement, the emotions read across each character’s face plays right into the fear of what’s coming and the shock of what’s been now realized. Jessa’s world has been turned upside down and it’s mirrored in these panels. The final page will have fans talking as that reveal hits readers with a huge exclamation point to close this chapter out on.
Final Point
The frightening world of Barlowe, New York delivers a fantastic issue with sharp writing by Jordan mixed with excellent art from Revel. The mystery behind the Harrower starts to become clear with more questions than answers. The issue balances an intense opening with huge payoffs as the book progresses that readers won’t be ready for what transpires on the final page. Do not miss this book and series on New Comic Book Day!
Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Harrower #3. Thanks for reading Parlay Points on Nerd Initiative!
