Harrow County 1

Emmy always knew that the deep, dark woods surrounding her home crawled with ghosts, goblins, and zombies. But on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, she learns that she is connected to these creatures—and to the land itself—in a way she never imagined.

Harrow County is the kind that of story that makes your skin crawl, because in some of the panels, there is literally skin that crawls.  The first issue is a story that could be right out of the imagination of a Edgar Allan Poe.  The writing is chilling with lush narration and a healthy dose of local color to bring the rustic setting of the story to rich, vibrant life.  The art is a little on the plain side for my tastes but it seems to complement the dark tones of the narration.  Reading the first issue I could really feel like I was in the backwoods of undeveloped Harrow County.

The first issue starts out by chronicling the execution of a witch in Harrow County by the townspeople when they learned the dark dealings that were required to maintain her “gifts”.  Before finally succumbing the flames the witch intones that the town has not seen the last of her.

Years later we meet Emmy, a young woman that miraculously heals a calf on the edge of death.  Her father is then seen burying scores of animals that have just as mysteriously died.  Is it coming of the witch’s powers or just common farm sickness.  Her father evinces concern.

Harrow County is chock full of beautiful imagery and an intricate plot.  The series is a must have for lovers of gothic fiction but is probably not for the average reader who prefers action, explosions and mass decapitations.

For more information about Harrow County or other great titles from Dark Horse Comics visit Dark Horse Comics.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.