“The Eye Collector #3” Review – The Dream Man Cometh

The Run Down

It feels like it was just last week that we were looking at the second issue, so I can’t believe we’re here already! In case you missed the last issue, we were introduced to Nathan and his parents. Now at the halfway point, things really start picking up! What does this monster want with Nathan? How are the two of them connected? These are two questions I asked myself, and this question made me ask so many more. So come along with me as I review Ball and Chomichuk’s “The Eye Collector #3”!

Writers: Jonathan Ball, GMB Chomichuk
Artist/Colorist: GMB Chomichuk
Letterer: Lyndon Radchenka

The Writing

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Ball and Chomichuk really found a way to outdo themselves here! This time around, they had the genius idea to involve the song “Hush! Here Comes the Dream Man” by Robert Patrick Weston, Fred J. Barnes, and Maurice Scott. Given that it’s in the background of a couple of panels, this is an issue where the writing and artwork are really starting to become one. This is forming an almost symbiotic relationship, which I believe is on purpose to serve the story. This process of creation gives the story so much more symbolism and metaphor, something I’ll go deeper into later.

Not only does this issue prove that the writing and artwork are working together, but it also helps us further understand what’s going on. Where the last issue felt like the ramblings of a madman, this one really starts to bring things into perspective. Without saying how or why, this perspective is something that has me utterly excited for the latter half of this run!

The Art

As I stated previously, the art and writing are really starting to form a symbiotic relationship, creating plenty of symbolism and metaphor. A lot of that has to do with the aforementioned song. “Hush! Here Comes the Dream Man” was written around the 1880’s to early 1900’s as a way to help children fall asleep. Given that our main character, Nathan is himself a child, it stands to reason that Coppelius is being equated to the Dream Man. Listening to the song while reading truly makes things feel like Chomichuk is flipping the song on its head.

As for the art in general, I’m still loving this papier-mache style. Not only does it make this comic truly stand out from everything else, but it gives the reader plenty of discomfort and a sense that things aren’t right. While that should be the goal of every horror comic, Chomichuk succeeds in a way most others can’t.

Final Thoughts

“The Eye Collector” just keeps getting better and better with every issue. However, it’s here that Ball and Chomichuk really make the series come alive. If Coppelius enters my nightmares, I put full blame on his creators for doing such a wonderful job!

Overall Grade: 10/10

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Comments

How are you feeling about “The Eye Collector”? Do you feel the same way I do about the special relationship between the writing and artwork? Let’s discuss in the comments below!