Things are getting dangerous in Wild’s End #3. Gilbert is dead, and Slipway and his companions now have to process that as well as dealing with the presence of an armed and demonstrably deadly enemy. Slipway gathers the terrified members of the group together and organizes a retreat, leading them away from the cottage and the village in search of some level of safety and possible help.
Small details about Mr. Slipway and Ms. Peardew’s lives are revealed in the course of the book, but Abnett’s primary focus in this issue is on the action: Getting away from the alien menace as quickly and quietly as possible. As yet, there is little indication of where the invaders come from or what—if anything—they want beyond killing anyone who is even slightly in the way. A twist at the end promises to make life more interesting for everyone involved.
The animal types I.N.J. Culbard and Dan Abnett have paired with the personalities continue to be spot on. If anyone was going to be a crowd-hating, creative loner, it would be a cat, wouldn’t it? And of course her language is nowhere near as elegant as her appearance. Culbard continues to create the perfect countryside. The lighting and quality of the silhouettes reflects a full moonlight night, one suitable for strolling in in more peaceful circumstances. The lighting changes to morning and an interesting new view–and a puzzle.
As in previous issues, there is more in-world material at the end of the book, in this case excerpts from the walking guide Ms. Peardew uses for her rambles, complete with rumors of the “Faye” and guides to local pubs. These excerpts add to the sense of Lower Crowchurch and the surrounding area as real places with histories and legends of their own.
Created by: Dan Abnett & I.N.J. CULBARD
Writer: Dan Abnett
Illustrator & Letterer: I.N.J. Culbard
Cover: I.N.J. Culbard
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