BLEEDING HEARTS #5 (DC COMICS)
Poke’s change of heart (literally) is slowly breaking him.
After being awoken to human feelings, Poke has steered away from the normal zombie life. This has included befriending a little girl named “Rabbit” and her mother Cara. When his best friend catches wind of something not right, Poke’s cover becomes blown.
This results in Cara’s demise and Rabbit set to be eaten on a Zombie national holiday. What will he do now?
BLEEDING HEARTS #5 by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, Matt Hollingsworth, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS) bares witness to a zombie celebration.
Let’s take a deeper dive into recent events.
BLEEDING HEARTS #5 by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, Matt Hollingsworth, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Camp takes his time in detailing the “Out-Break” day. Poke’s monologue cyphers through its’ origin and importance to the zombie culture. His own feelings complicate matters more when he sees Rabbit as one of the human sacrifices. The writing shows his struggles in enjoying this year’s competition. No matter where he looks, the sense of guilt is overwhelming. No moment greater than seeing Rabbit.
Readers watch the young child run through a series of emotions without her mother. Camp’s words convey the rage and sadness of such an event. Her thoughts show a heavy burden put on her shoulders. This leads into more challenges with other humans trying to connect with her on escaping. It’s heartbreaking and upsetting to see play out. Mush and Poke’s relationship gets some page time to explain itself before the ending crashes in. It leaves the issue in an uneasy spot as the time to celebrate has arrived.
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Morian & Hollingsworth paint the dire scene in the opening pages. Rabbit’s current location is dark and filled with gloom. A two page splash of Poke overseeing the Out-Break plans opens up the detailed look at the day. The full page shot of “Patient Zero” is a solid nod before the confliction begins. Poke’s interactions never look comfortable with everyone he encounters. His heart is beating but not as others would like to see. Rabbit’s name is at the top of that list.
Her current deal factors in unnecessary guilt on her face. The flashbacks of previous escape indicates what kind of trouble she is now in. This moves the young girl to find support in Ms. Ruby. Morian’s attention to detail here shines as the larger picture comes into focus. This rolls into the ups and downs of Mush and Poke’s talk. There are quite a range of expressions as the pair work their drama out. This moves events to its’ strong closing. The large panels give more gravity to the countdown to hunt. it leads to a last page that delivers on nothing nice for the survivors. A great visual trip here.
FINAL GRADE: 9.5
Poke has no time to celebrate as Rabbit’s now being hunted by zombie hordes in a superb chapter. Camp pushes all parties into uncomfortable quarters with the writing . Morian & Hollingsworth construct excellent images to build to the hunting hour. You might need to check your own heart after reading this phenomenal series.
Let me know your thoughts on BLEEDING HEARTS #5 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
