Review: Harrower #1 (of 4)

Being a geek is cool, no matter what anyone else says. We are the ultimate fans, we live for the special variant cover by that artist we really like. We explore the minutiae of why Batman could work or why Superman’s cloak does not tear or how Peter Parker attracts so many babes. I bring this up as some people are fans of so many different things, some of which are rather unhealthy.

In this new book, Harrower, from Boom! Entertainment, the town of Barlowe NY, is about to celebrate its annual Gala. Thing is, this time of year brings back dark memories and a darker presence to the fore. Through this high schoolers get to live large, with those with loss and knowledge in their sights get to live on the edge, in fear of the Harrower!

Justin Jordan, of Luther Strode fame has created a book that mixes several influences, presenting a new whole. Those influences cover the movies, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Purge and the idea of a tulpa. These common threads weave through a mystery in which Jordan delivers an obvious end, though you know that there is going to be more it down the line. This type of hidden in plain sight writing is evident in how characters desires and wants look to oust characters from their perceived roles in their and others lives, with each interaction adding. more disquiet to proceedings.

The art is provided by Brahm Revel with an edgier style that reminds me of Klaus Janson in the first act at least, before moving into a subtler style, though that edge returns in the final act. Maybe this is a choice by Revel as a means to demonstrate the horror or the first and third acts, juxtaposed by the normalcy of high school life. With not colourist credited, I assume that Revel pulled double duty. If thats that the case, a round of applause is well deserved as the dark colors, like the edgy art, gives way to a pastel scheme before the darkness descends once more. Pat Brosseau’s letters have a strong impact, with no obvious edging around the word balloons, trying to give the impression that the dialogue is somehow of the world; does that mean the the characters world creates as much as the characters live within said world?

Horror isn’t normally my kind of thing, and the influences on show are rather obvious at this early stage. Still, there is enough going on to intrigue enough to see what happens next issue.

Writing – 3.5 Stars

Art – 4 Stars

Colors – 4.5 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Created & written by; Justin Jordan
Created, art & colors by Brahm Revel
Letters by; Pat Brosseau
Published by; BOOM! Entertainment

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network