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Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: Nov. 12, 2014
Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Cover artist: Justin Erickson
Click HERE for last issue's write-up.
The man-turned-monster Cal McDonald is at a turning point in life and seeks council from other than his friends Mo'lock and Adam, so he's dug up the corpse of his own father to get some advice from the rotted old man. The corpse tells Cal about the day he was born, and how he always knew Cal would be someone who did the right thing no matter the cost. After some encouragement, Cal knows what he needs to do and starts his planning, after plopping dear old dad back into the grave.
Over at Demon Baby Central, Hemlock and his new buddies, the demon kids, the bloody Hemlock lets them know HE is the Third Child, the one needed to get the Armageddon monster mash under way. The demons want proof of his claim, so he does so in a most unique and gooey way. Seems he showed them. Or did he?
Shooting back over to Mo'lock, Adam, and Cal's new police connection, the three witness some of the ugliness to come if they don't stop it. The ghouls, usually there to help their champion, have already abandoned Cal, but Adam called a few favors in of his own. The result seems to give them a bit of hope. Before things get going and a plan is put into play, Cal lets his friends in on a new bit of information he's come by, and it's big news.
Niles' story is fantastic, which is nothing new when it comes to Cal McDonald mysteries, and the conversation with Cal and his father is the highlight of the issue. It's twisted but somewhat endearing at the same time. Niles never ceases to impress with his Criminal Macabre series. And Christopher Mitten continues on his excellent run with Cal's tales, being what this reader feels is the best artist to have taken on the task of illustrating Niles' messed-up characters.
Sadly there's only one issue left in this arc, which means probably a long time to wait until the next series. That blows, but what doesn't blow is the current tale, and this issue is the best of the three so far.
