Review by Frank Plowright

Until now The Woods has concentrated on a handful of pupils from a Wisconsin high school transported wholesale to an alien planet. However, they’re far from the first humans to whom this has occurred. We met a few of them during The Swarm, and now we’re introduced to others, including the Duke, founder of New London. It’s a sort of temporal crossroads where humans from various eras co-exist, and gym teacher Clay arrived there before the cast we’ve followed so far. Readers of the opening volume know his true character, but the pupils who left the school early are unaware of his murderous side, although soon pick up his intentions are self-serving.

While allowing space to define the cast, James Tynion IV has moved the plot forward rapidly from the beginning. There’s little lingering anywhere, and it means the paperbacks may be slim, but they’re dense with a lot going on, and this is no exception. While the specifics of what’s happening remain a mystery, the societies within the Woods are explained, along with what they fear. The unknown still holds secrets, but the gist of its threat is apparent.

The sample art shows both the skill Michael Dialynas has in designing fearsome creatures, and the other worldliness of the location ingrained via the simple method of Josan Gonzalez’s colours. Because events move so fast, little details and emotional responses are important, and Dialynas supplies everything needed in alluring pages.

For the first time since the opening volume we also look in on the school, and an indication of how much time has passed since the arrival is how much has changed. You’ll gasp at the revelation regarding Calder that’s been so beautifully set up, and at how a threat is seemingly negated. New London is brilliant, page-turning fantasy and more awaits in Movie Night.

This is collected in hardback along with the previous two paperbacks as the first Yearbook Edition, or the entire story is available as a single humongous slipcased edition.