In DARLING #4, available from Source Point Press on September 29th, 2021, Darling and Finch take a quick detour to a Pawn Shop for supplies. The experience is… transformational.
The Details
- Written By: Michael Fleizach, Todd Hunt
- Art By: Dave Mims
- Colors By: Dave Mims
- Letters By: Zack Turner
- Cover Art By: Dave Mims (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: September 29, 2021
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Was It Good?
The more this series progresses, the more this series continues to pleasantly defy expectations. Is it a drug-fueled hallucination? Is it an urban fantasy? I don’t know but I continue to be thoroughly entertained by the sheer volume of imagination and creativity in every issue.
Similar to the last issue, the big “oh, snap!” accomplishment here is the transformation of Finch. Darling is leading the adventure with a visit to an old friend who runs a pawn shop to acquire some protection. As with every scene in this series, Darling’s purchase is not a simple transaction as the item in question comes with a dark past and a warning for Darling’s future. However, Finch’s impromptu shopping spree packs the biggest wallop by taking a simple moment and transforming both the tone and the character into something new. I’m dancing around the subject, so you can jump to the next section for more details.
Mims’ art grows on you. I wasn’t sold on it in the first issue as the inking is intentionally sketchy and sloppy to capture the slovenly nature of the character in an urban setting. With each issue, however, the nuance Mims infuses into small facial looks and simple hand gestures convey so much without saying a word. Yet again, the standout in the character designs is Finch. This small, wordless sidekick is turning into the Hit-Girl to Darling’s Kick-Ass, both in the way Finch emotes and in the way Finch makes every action impact the story. If this creative team continues beyond this run, I’d be very curious to see an adventure focusing on Finch.
There’s not a lot of meat to this assessment because, frankly, the entire issue is one scene. That said, it’s a captivating issue and I’d highly recommend this series for anyone looking for something a little different.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Don’t get lost in this urban Wonderland. First, check out our DARLING #3 review to find true North.
Darling and Finch narrowly escaped Queens Ruby at the end of the last issue, and Darling decides he needs a little protection for whatever may be coming their way. Enter “Darby’s Sushi Pawn,” a combination pawn shop and sushi bar run by Darling’s old friend Darby.
Darling needs a gun, but due to a lack of funds, Darling insists on taking the cheapest thing available. Darby offers the cheapest thing he has, a revolver called Delilah with a mysterious and sordid past. Darby proceeds to tell the tales of how the gun will kill its owner as easily as the owner’s target if Delilah doesn’t like how she’s being used. The mini fable shows just how temperamental Delilah can be.
When the deal is done, Finch gestures interest in doing a little shopping as well. We conclude the issue with Darling making an unanswered call to Trix, Darby feeling relief at getting rid of some unsellable items, and a new Finch!
Final Thoughts
DARLING #4 is light on action or plot movement, but the story more than makes up for it by taking a whimsical shopping trip that gives Darling a little help and completely transforms Finch into something next level. The writing excels at taking mundane moments and transforming them into something magical, and the art, especially for Finch, communicates volumes with just a simple gesture.
Score: 9.5/10
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