FISHFLIES #3, by Image Comics on 11/15/23, marks a turning point in Francis’s adventure when the police start sniffing around her farm.
The Details
- Written by: Jeff Lemire
- Art by: Jeff Lemire
- Colors by: Jeff Lemire
- Letters by: Steve Wands
- Cover art by: Jeff Lemire (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: November 15, 2023
Is FISHFLIES #3 Good?
A ‘turning point’ is right. FISHFLIES #3 switches the momentum of Francis’s tension-filled attempts to keep her monstrous friend hidden into a fateful decision to flee, leaving her world behind. Jeff Lemire’s human tale (with a monster) digs at the relatable pain of realizing the only way forward is to give up on the burdens holding you back.
When last we left Francis and her “friend,” their shared secret blossomed into friendship when Francis learned her friend could jump great distances, almost flying, with Francis along for the ride. Meanwhile, Paul’s mother tells Danny about her vision involving bugs, giving Danny a greater suspicion that something unusual is happening. Now, the police dogs catch Lee’s scent, which leads through Francis’s farm. Hiding is no longer an option, so Francis and her “friend” must part ways to survive.
The more this story develops, the more you get overtones as famous books and films where a good-hearted child makes friends with an outsider, sometimes at a personal cost. Although the semantics are different, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) comes to mind.
What’s great about FISHFLIES #3? At the risk of sounding repetitive, we harp on this rule because it matters as much as or more than almost everything else – every issue must have one big idea. In this issue, Lemire delivers that big idea wrapped in a small decision that’s sure to have huge consequences for the future. Francis’s choice is a potential game-changer for the series.
What’s not so great about FISHFLIES #3? The longer the series goes without addressing the elephant in the room, the longer that elephant becomes a sticking point, namely the circumstances of Lee’s transformation. Readers can “just go with it” for a while, but eventually, that plot point needs to play out or risk creating frustration.
How’s the art? Lemire’s art is understated but deceptively powerful as even small glances and slight gestures convey tons of meaning. Granted, Lemire’s loose lines and watercolor coloring are not everyone’s cup of tea, but the art hits where it’s needed.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s FISHFLIES #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our FISHFLIES #2 review to witness what happened when the monster learned it could jump.
We begin with Danny speaking with Paul’s mother, Helen, while the dogs continue sniffing through the nearby fields. Helen apologizes for her (crazy?) story about bugs the night before, but Danny isn’t so sure her story is as crazy as it sounds.
Son, the dos pick up Lee’s scent, leading straight through Francis’s farm. Francis’s abusive farm isn’t pleased about Danny coming by on police business, but he eventually agrees to let Danny look around the fields and barn.
We conclude the issue with throwing stones, resignation, and retribution.
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)
FISHFLIES #3 marks a turning point in the series when the police pick up Lee’s trail, forcing Francis to make a painful choice. Francis’s small decision has huge potential for the future, and Lemire’s stylistic art communicates so much in the smallest gestures.
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.