Harrow County Omnibus One

I don't read comic books often, but once in a while a series captures my attention and I go for it. So glad I did with this. The artwork is phenomenal. Stylistic and full of detail and watercolor washes. The soft style with muted colors really suits the time period which looks to be 1930s America or thereabouts - somewhere in the Appalachians I think. Beautiful scenery, buildings, clothing and other details really come together and I took lots of time over many of the scenes. I really like some of the ways sound and vocal changes are depicted as well. There was a shift in the drawing style at some point along the way, but thankfully it didn't last long. If it had I probably wouldn't have continued with the second omnibus, however it was show more an interlude that encapsulated a specific time and place in the story.

The story is a tad weaker in terms of how it's told - a lot of blunt statements and sentences, but there is sometimes poetry in the various voices of the characters. That's one thing that comes across well - everyone sounds and speaks differently. The world and its laws work well once you grasp them. I felt that Emmy's realization of her powers/real identity came a bit fast. She just knew how to use them and the skinned boy didn't frighten her at all - that was a bit much. I would have rather seen her at first scared, but then coming to realize that the haints wouldn't hurt her for the most part, and the ones that wanted to could be controlled. But I guess they wanted to get on with the story. I really liked Bernice and her side story with the snakes; it will be interesting in she develops her powers in a similar way to Emmy.

It is otherworldly as you imagine, but it's also sort of reassuring in the very clear lines between good and evil. Emmy is a force for good although she is quite aware of the darkness within her; like all of us. As the story unfolds there are allies and enemies, but the tone is always hopeful. Some of the images are gory, but not drawn in such a realistic way as to really horrify. I've now purchased the second omnibus and am happily back in Harrow County. show less