Nectar #4 – I’ll Wait For You At The Gate

Off the coast of Salem, Massachusetts, a swarm arrived. This swarm of butterflies brought with it a taste for a strange nectar and, with it, a strain of the dancing plague. When the butterflies prefer not pollen but human blood, all hell breaks loose. As Amos and Lillian try to solve the mystery of the swarm before it gets worse, the Reverend has taken matters into his own hands.

This review is brought to you by Nerd Initiative’s Shawn!

Creative Team

Writer: Jeremy Robinson
Artists: Annapaola Martello and Francesco Francini
Color Artist: Steve Canon
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Cover Artist: Chris Shehan

Writing

What an amazing ending to this series. I did not see the story going that way, and that is such a testament to what a great writer Jeremy Robinson is. Through Nectar, Robinson made me fall in love with horror comics all over again. This issue was well written and emotionally driven. The amount of love Amos has for Lillian is clear and comes through in this issue. The darkness in the town, reckoning with what the swarm has brought, is so dreary and impactful.

I’ve enjoyed this entire run, but the only thing I don’t like about this series is that it’s ending. Robinson spent three issues crafting complex characters like the Pastor, Amos, Lillian, and others, and this issue finally allows them to pay off. Amos is a fascinating and multifaceted character. Every time I think I understand him, Robinson reveals another layer or wrinkle that makes him even more complex and enjoyable to read. Robinson closes Nectar #4 in a way that is both satisfying and leaves you wanting more.

Art

Annapaola Martello, Francesco Francini, and Steve Canon saved the best for last with this issue. This creative team has done stunning work this entire series, but this truly is their best work. For Martello and Francini, the art is gorgeous. Faces are expressive, the scenery is beautifully drawn, and the climax panels are crisp and cleanly drawn despite the chaos of the scene itself. Together, they created a story that even if Jim Campbell wasn’t doing a killer job on lettering, I could still read the emotion on the face of each character.

Steve Canon was all gas from the first to last page of Nectar #4. Whether its fire burning, the incredible climax of the story, or even the color in Amos’s eye, Canon gets everything perfect. Previous issues have used very subdued color palettes, making the hints of color, such as the swarm pop, but with the bright fires of this issue, Canon gets to show the full range of colors and skills, and he just absolutely nails it. Jim Campbell perfectly captures the tone that Robinson is going for with this story in the lettering department. Campbell’s SFX stand out against the beautiful art of the story, drawing your eyes to the action.

Final Thoughts

Nectar has brought back my love of horror. It feels like an old, familiar horror story updated. The characters are distinct, the story compelling, and the art eye-catching. I’m sad for the end of this part of Nectar and patiently wait for the launch of the sister series, Night of Sorrows!

Overall Grade: 10/10

What did you think about Nectar now that the series is over? Let me know in the comments