By: Robert Kirkman (writer), Greg Capullo (pencils), Jonathan Glapion & Todd McFarlane (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors) & Richard Starkings (letters)
The Story: Now a fully trained agent of the agency, Haunt goes out on his first real mission.
What’s Good: There’s a lot of like about this comic. After a first story arc that was sometimes clumsy as this title tried to find its feet, it has really gotten rolling and turned into an espionage comic with a super-powered twist. One of my favorite things in comics is seeing personal growth (or at least change) from the characters and Daniel (the human half of Haunt) has come a LONG way from the cigarette-smoking, prostitute-”visiting” guy we met in issue #1. As was said in Full Metal Jacket: He has been born again hard. So, getting to see him kicking ass on his first real mission for this mysterious agency was a very fulfilling moment.
The story also brings us back face-to-face with Haunt’s main nemesis and leaves us with a classic comic cliffhanger that has me very eager to read issue #10 next month. This comic is now top-of-the-stack material.
And the art is just awesome if hyper-detailed and unafraid depictions of violence are your thing. I’m not a weirdo who gets off on the images of gutted bodies we get to see in this comic, but I do like to see art that goes for “it” (whatever “it” may be). Capullo and his inkers are pulling no punches. When Haunt chops a bad guy in two, it isn’t just a blurry mess of red. You could almost do a human anatomy lesson on what we see here. It won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I really appreciate unafraid art. If I want quasi-censored art, I can read a Marvel or DC book.
What’s Not So Good: Honestly, at this point, the only negative about Haunt is that people are still rolling their eyes at the title based on the rough start to the series, the fact that Haunt is a little similar to Venom and general fandom ill-will towards McFarlane. But, other than having to justify why you like this comic, there is nothing negative about it.
Well… I guess you cannot read it to your young kids.
Conclusion: Another issue that is top-of-the-stack material. Fun story and bold art.
Grade: B+
- Dean Stell
Filed under: Image Comics Tagged: | Comic Book Reviews, Dean Stell, Fco Plascencia, Greg Capullo, Haunt, Haunt #9, Haunt #9 review, Image Comics, Jonathan Glapion, review, Richard Starkings, Robert Kirkman, Todd McFarlane, Weekly Comic Book Review
Thanks, dfstell
I wish this book had more people like yourself–willing to give Haunt some attention. I’m grateful for the props.
Hey Greg,
Thank YOU for giving us a nice looking comic! Keep up the great work on this title.
Dean