THE ATONEMENT BELL #4, from Red 5 Comics on 4/12/23, brings the terrifying nightmare to its ultimate conclusion when the Sovereign Witch lays Jake on the altar of sacrifice to be skinned alive.
The Details
- Written by: Jim Ousley
- Art by: Tyler B. Ruff
- Colors by: Benjamin Sawyer
- Letters by: Ed Dukeshire
- Cover art by: Tyler B. Ruff
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.95
- Release date: April 12, 2023
Is It Good?
Look. If you’re going to finish a story, finish strong. Readers will always remember a story with a weak start more fondly when it has a strong finish. Therefore, readers are going to remember THE ATONEMENT BELL #4 because it doesn’t just finish strong, it swings for the fences and hits a grand slam home run.
When last we left Jake, his mother got knocked out by Aunt Tiana (because she’s in on the witch’s plan), leaving Jake to be carted away for sacrifice by the coven in his much-weakened state. Now, Sara and Baby Al are the only ones left to help… or are they?
This arc is a delight, so kudos times ten to Jim Ousely for crafting a generational urban horror story that’s as grounded as it is supernaturally captivating. Every issue begs you to ask yourself, “What would I do?” In so doing, the story immediately grabs the audience with relatable characters with relatable problems and relationships challenged by a supernatural curse spanning centuries.
The key to this finale’s success is pacing. Ousely kicks the issue into high gear after a brief flashback and doesn’t let up until the conflict’s resolution. The dialog is authentic, the character’s actions and reactions feel natural, and even the supernatural elements have an air of believability that hooks you.
Credit is also due to Ruff and Sawyer for rock-solid art. The pacing is buoyed by smart panel transitions, and the gore is copious and spectacular.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our THE ATONEMENT BELL #3 review to find out what happened to Jake’s mother.
We begin with Baby Al desperately running through the snowy streets, looking for help. He witnessed the attack on Jake’s mother and fled the house to find help. Baby Al finds at least a friend in Sara as she keeps a watch on the church.
Elsewhere, Jake’s mother wakes up in the catacombs beneath the church with Deacon Shaw. The two join forces to find a way out. Fortunately, Baby Al and Sara arrive to pick a lock and lend a helping hand.
Meanwhile, Jake’s visions continue as the murdered boys and the coven’s true leader tell Jake what he must do to break the curse. We conclude the issue with ghosts, secret names, and a reckoning.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
THE ATONEMENT BELL #4 ends the exceptional horror story the only way it should – with blood and fire. Ousley’s pacing is relentless, the characters feel authentically grounded in their speech, actions, and acting, and the ending is immensely satisfying.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.