Review by Ian Keogh

Despite this hardcover conclusion to Harrow County now being a premium priced item (although not as prohibitively expensive as earlier volumes), it’s still worth consideration as a great finish to a great series.

These eight chapters are all by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook, and when combined form an ever-escalating, rocket-paced terror ride as Emmy Crawford is faced with one incredibly dangerous threat, then one that’s even more horrific and brings the danger of death closer.

Bunn is so clever in so many places by effectively using information supplied in previous volumes in a surprising way, although that’s not going to be appreciated by just reading these eight chapters in isolation. You’ll pick up the gist, enjoy the ride, but not realise how everything falls so neatly into place. An example is Volume Three stopping just short of a major confrontation between Emmy and best friend Bernice, but suggesting the day will come. Well, here it does, but in a form other than expected, and Bernice holds her own far longer than expected.

Crook’s watercolour art has been astonishingly good all the way through, and as if to underline his talent there are four spreads toward the end suitable for framing. The composition is exquisite, telling its own mini-story with the mood progressing from explicit horror to serenity. They’re a prime advert for digital, as they’ll look even better without the fold needed for physical publication. All the way through the remainder, Crook’s mastery of mood is showcased in a virtuoso performance, be it setting the scene, making nature seem deadly, or providing the horror. He’s especially good with the emotional responses. So often we know what one of the more sympathetic people is keeping to themselves.

In the end, were any reader who’s followed Harrow County from the start to make a list of the five points most important to their enjoyment of a conclusion it’s likely Bunn fulfils most wishes. Crucially, though, he remains a step ahead as there’s little conformity with expectation. Yet surely no-one will be disappointed.

If this hardcover is too pricey, Dark Times A’Coming and Done Come Back supply the same content in paperback, or you can go for the thicker Harrow County Omnibus Volume 2, which combines them with the previous two collections