Outcast #9
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Paul Azaceta
Colors by Elizabeth Breitweiser
Published by Image Comics
Finally, we’re getting somewhere: Kyle and Reverend Anderson continue their aimless journey throughout town to discover what has happened to some of the Reverend’s past exorcism patients. The duo encounter Sherry, the girl who evaded them in the last issue and someone the Reverend thinks he hasn’t helped. During the encounter Kyle forces out whatever demon that was inside Sherry. At the end of the issue he finally understands that it is him, and only him that cause the demons to leave. Ironically they also derive their power from his proximity. How Kyle helps is still uncertain as is Sherry’s life.
Robert Kirkman is starting to let his readers peek behind the curtain of this story. After many issues involving strange encounters that haven’t led anywhere we finally understand a little more about what Kyle can do. Throughout this issue Kirkman makes it a point to focus almost solely on Kyle’s journey. There are a few pages dedicated to a drunken detective and scenes where we find out the demons amongst the elderly greatly enjoy life on Earth. Overall, Kirkman is showing us the crux of this story will rely on Kyle’s willingness to go head to head with the possessed. He’ll have to drag Reverend Anderson along for the ride and the Reverend will have to exorcise his own demons. Kirkman has the train on the tracks; hopefully the following issues provide more clarity and even more tension.
Paul Azaceta’s pencils are astounding as usual. All character and setting designs are perfectly placed to look like we’re in Anytown, USA. The feeling that this could happen anywhere to anyone is truly terrifying. Elizabeth Breitweiser’s colors continue to amaze. The extremely dark tones duing Kyle and Sherry’s standoff are only offset by Sherry’s red hooded sweatshirt. The attention, all on Sherry, is a great choice by the creative team. There is no doubt that this duo will continue to be in top form.
Outcast #9 finally feels like the story is about to explode and become wide open. If Kirkman can continue to expand the “Outcast” theology there’s no telling where this book will go. Kyle has seemed immune to the demon attacks but all may not be as well as it seems.