I have enjoyed the Image Comics Haunt title since the first issue hit the shelves. I love Robert Kirkman’s writing and Greg Capullo’s big, dynamic art. So you can imagine how crushed I was a couple of months back when it was announced that Kirkman, Capullo and inker Jonathan Glapion would all be leaving the title after issue #18. Well here we are at issue #17 and the end is near – better savor the current Haunt team while we still can.
In the last issue (click here to see the Bullet Review), after Kurt’s spirit was ripped from Haunt by the Apparition, Kurt found himself in a strange realm that exists between the worlds of the living and the dead. A disembodied voice explained that Kurt’s spirit must be haunting his brother Daniel for a reason, that he must be able to inhabit the earthly plain for a true purpose. Kurt also learned that he should exercise caution when merging with his brother to form Haunt, as the power used is drawn from Daniel’s life-force. The mysterious voice sent Kurt back to the earthly realm, to the hospital where his injured brother was. There was no time for a joyous reunion upon Kurt’s return, as the Apparition appeared in short order.
Issue #17 opens with Kurt and Daniel merged as Haunt and desperately fleeing from the Apparition. Armed with the knowledge that he is draining Daniel’s life-force, Kurt is hesitant to stay in the Haunt form for an extended period of time. Unfortunately Daniel is severely injured and in no shape to flee, let alone even walk, without Haunt’s power to assist him.
Fortunately Alegria shows up at just the right moment. The Apparition is easily able to track Haunt, because of Kurt’s spirit not being of this realm. Alegria forces a solution upon the situation, but it will come at a great cost to one of the parties involved. I won’t spoil it, but someone is about to make the ultimate sacrifice as this showdown with the Apparition finally comes to a shocking resolution!
What can I say? The writing continues to be everything I have come to expect from Robert Kirkman and Haunt – that is, superb. Greg Capullo continues to deliver incredible art. His angles just make for very interesting looking panels. The panels themselves can’t even contain his work. I love his layouts and entire pages filled with detail. He just keeps pulling out all the stops here at the end of his run on this title. The colors, often overlooked, are striking and bold in Haunt; I love them and that think they add quite a bit to the art. The bright red of the Apparition, against the cool background colors, is just a joy to see on the page.
So there we have it, only one Kirkman/Capullo issue left to go. It is obvious the current story arc is winding down. I guess the big question that remains is, what is the future for Haunt? A new writer (Joe Casey) and artist (Nathan Fox) will be taking over Haunt duties, with Todd McFarlane continuing to provide additional inking. It really remains to be seen if Haunt can survive the loss of so much talent and even be a shadow of the title it has been. Robert Kirkman has been very busy with the Walking Dead TV series, and getting his Image Comics imprint Skyboundup and running. Greg Capullo is one of my favorite artists, and his illustrations will surely be missed. Greg is now the artist, and Jonathan Glapion will be doing inking for the new Batman title in the DC Comics relaunch. His art has been so tight over the years that I will be following his Batman work for sure. Some of the new Haunt artwork from Nathan Fox has been previewed, and the style really is quite different. I was actually very concerned at first, but more recently previewed work gives me quiet hope that the new team can continue to keep Haunt an amazing title. I guess only time will tell. See you back here next month for the final Kirkman/Capullo issue of Haunt review. Thank you for reading.
Tags: art, Batman, book, Comic, comic booked, Comics, DC, DCnU, Greg Capullo, Haunt, Image, Joe Casey, Jonathan Glapion, Nathan Fox, Robb Orr, Robert Kirkman, Skybound, The Walking Dead, Todd McFarlane
About the Author
Written by Robb Orr
Robb Orr is a comic bibliophile and game aficionado from the “Emerald City” of Seattle, WA. He hopes to win enough favor to gain pet status after the upcoming and inevitable monkey apocalypse comes to fruition.
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