DEVIL ON MY SHOULDER #4 (DARK HORSE COMICS)

comic reviewscomicbooksDARK HORSE COMICSdevil on my shoulderkyle starks

Mar 18

The woman has finally made it to the last of the boys that ruined her life and complete revenge is almost hers. However, she still wants to know who the fifth boy is, but the answer to that question is the key to everything.

Devil on my Shoulder #4 - Written By Kyle Starks – Art By Piotr Kowalski - Colors By Brad Simpson - Letters By Joshua Reed - Edited By Daniel Chabon - Published By Dark Horse Comics

* POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING *

STORY OVERVIEW:

The showdown between the final boy and the woman is upon us. As she confronts him, she asks him who the fifth boy is and where he is. That’s when a bombshell is revealed, the fifth boy is a demon that has given this boy power and influenced the others with the temptation of money and power. The fact that the woman can see the demon is not lost on the boy, but he believes that the demon’s power is too great that he can’t be defeated. However, he doesn’t know the training and what the woman has been through and seen. With the full picture revealed to the reader, we get an epic final standoff.

WRITING:

This final issue really closes out the story in a big way and reveals the reality of what has been going on the whole series. Kyle Starks sticks the landing with this final issue, well still surprising the reader with revelations we didn’t know. The reveal about the training Father Guerrero put her through and the gift that they shared was an awesome and fitting missing piece to take this story to the next level. The evils revealed in this issue were disturbing but necessary to show the reader what was really at stake overall. Starks crafted the final showdown perfectly and this makes the story feel much more epic. Ending the story with the possibility of more from this world really gives the reader hope for the future of this great series.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this issue is notably graphic, establishing an atmosphere that aligns closely with the narrative’s somber tone. Piotr Kowalski displays strong technical proficiency, capturing the horror elements present in each scene and enhancing the story with visuals that are both impactful and evocative. His illustrations accentuate the unsettling aspects of the storyline, indicating the publication's suitability for a mature readership.

Brad Simpson effectively supports Kowalski’s illustrations through carefully chosen color palettes that reinforce the themes of despair and darkness. These selections contribute to the overall presentation by ensuring the intensity and bleakness of the narrative are communicated with precision and clarity.

Check Out My Review of Devil on My Shoulder #3

Final Thoughts:

Devil on My Shoulder #4 is the perfect ending to what has been the horror comic book series of the year. With an epic final showdown, revelations about the story that are finally revealed, and a strong tease for a possible continuation, this final issue checks every box. My only detraction is that we didn’t get more issues of this series, but hopefully that is rectified with Volume Two. This is my Pick of the Week and should be on the top of every horror comic fans list to pick up at the shops this week. If you have not been reading this series, keep your eye out for when the Trade Paperback is released and grab a copy.

FINAL GRADE: 10/10

Let me know your thoughts on Devil on My Shoulder #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Richard Coryell

Comic Book Reviewer for Fanlight Zone, Video editor extraordinaire, Host of the 3FN Podcast & 607 TWS, and lover of all things Nerdy, especially independent comics.