Gideon Falls #3 Review

Gideon Falls #3

Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Andrea Sorrentino
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Will Dennis
Publisher: Image

Review by Jim Allegro

Jeff Lemire continues the slow burn in Gideon Falls #3.  The last issue of this intense new horror comic from Image doled out tidbits about the main characters, Norton and Father Fred, as they struggled to make sense of the inexplicable events unfolding in the small town of Gideon Falls. In a different vein, this latest issue provides a glimpse into their interactions with other people touched by the paranormal mystery.

We watch as Father Fred struggles to write a sermon that helps his parishioners grapple with the bizarre death of Father Tom.  After the service, he has an ominous meeting with two parishioners who invite him to their farm.  Meanwhile, Dr. Xu confronts Norton, who is hunkered down in his apartment, about her vision of the Black Barn and the silhouette of a sinister man.  The issue ends with Father Fred piecing together information about the Black Barn and the town’s surprising, tragic history.

Sorrentino’s pencils further the bleak and jarring feel of the story.  Everything is always a little out of focus in a Lemire comic, as if the line between reality and fantasy is fading away.  Sorrentino and Stewart continue to plot the use of red to heighten the dread that follows the characters, especially Norton.  The paneling contributes to Lemire’s talent for steady pacing.  And, the use of rectangles and circles to frame interactions among the characters has an interest effect on the way we receive the story.

Verdict:
Buy it. I very much enjoy this comic and look forward to it every month.  Gideon Falls is one of the few comics that can still actually frighten me.  It remains a solid BUY.