FISHFLIES #4, by Image Comics on 10/10/24, takes Fran and Bug on the run after their argument with Fran’s father turns violent. How far can they get when the police are closing in?
The Details
- Written by: Jeff Lemire
- Art by: Jeff Lemire, Beatrix Green
- Colors by: Jeff Lemire
- Letters by: Steve Wands
- Cover art by: Jeff Lemire (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $5.99
- Release date: January 10, 2024
Is FISHFLIES #4 Good?
Jeff Lemire’s surreal fantasy about a girl and her giant bug friend ramps up the urgency when the police and supernatural forces surround the unlikely friends in FISHFLIES #4. Lemire once again delivers a bizarrely enthralling mix of fantasy, heart, drama, and heart to draw you into his invented world.
When last we left Fran and Lee, aka Bug, Fran decided it was time to leave home and her bitter father. When Fran’s father became violent, bug arrived to put him down (temporarily). Now, Fran and Bug run away into the woods to find a place where they can live in peace, but hunger and a ghostly vision bring unwanted attention to the runaways.
If you’re new to this series and the above recap sounds… odd, don’t let the presence of a giant bug put you off. At its core, Lemire’s tale is a human story about the need to feel kinship amid the loneliness of a sometimes ugly world. This human tale just happens to be told with the use of a giant bug monster. Easy peasy!
What’s great about FISHFLIES #4? The selling point of this series is Lemire’s tender, heartfelt relationship between Fran and Bug. Bug, formerly a criminal on the run named Lee, and Fran, a lonely girl from a broken home, find a fundamental connection that speaks volumes about the basic human need to be with someone, to not feel alone. There’s something so true and heartbreaking about this story.
What’s not so great about FISHFLIES #4? After four issues, the plot hasn’t quite taken shape. Characters are moving, and Fran’s predicament is progressing, but the story (so far) is a situation that doesn’t fully qualify as a story. With three issues left, there’s time to bring the plot into focus, but we shouldn’t still be wondering where this series is going when it’s more than halfway done.
How’s the art? Lemire’s soulful, heartfelt tale is helped along by Lemire’s equally soulful art. Admittedly, Lemire’s loose lines and watercolors may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Lemire’s emotional communication through the characters’ eyes is spectacular.
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What’s FISHFLIES #4 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our FISHFLIES #3 review to find out what happened to Fran’s father.
We begin with Fran and Bug working their way through the woods when they happen upon an old lean-to made from dead wood. Fran imagines a simple life with Bug, but hunger sets in, and they leave to find food. Fran leads Bug to a nearby convenience store for a little shoplifting.
Meanwhile, Danny receives a visit from the Sergeant to explain he’s off the case as a scapegoat for the Tremblay boy’s shooting and now Fran’s “kidnapping.” Danny is furious at the ultimatum of accepting a transfer or being fired, so he storms off, but he receives word about the shoplifting and heads off to investigate.
We conclude the issue with a mother’s worry, a ghost, symbols in the woods, and an understanding helper.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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FISHFLIES #4 sends Fran and Bug on the run with another heartfelt entry in the surreal fantasy series. Lemire is a master at tugging at the heartstrings with poignant moments, and his art captures the essence of quiet emotion. That said, the plot hasn’t fully taken shape, so readers may still be wondering where this series is headed.
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