HORNSBY & HALO #4, by Image Comics on 2/26/25, finds the teens from Heaven and Hell running from a zombie horde.
Credits:
- Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
- Artist: Peter Snejbjerg
- Colorist: John Kalisz
- Letterer: Rob Leigh
- Cover Artist: Peter Snejbjerg
- Publisher: Image Comics
- Release Date: February 26, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 36
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of HORNSBY & HALO #4:
Plot:
Rose and Zach discovered their true identities during a zombie battle in Hornsby & Halo #3. Now, the teens run for their lives as the zombies follow them chanting “Give It Back.” After a quick car chase and a race in the snow, Zach figures out the zombies are after goods stolen from their graves, including the pearl necklace around his cat’s neck. The adventure concludes with a late-night Pawn Shop visit and a later graveyard visit.
Artwork and Presentation:
Peter Snejbjerg’s perfectly serviceable figure work and choreography get the job done in an action-heavy issue. With John Kalisz on coloring, the artwork looks much better than you’d expect, especially through Kalisz’s smooth implementation of contours and shading.
Art Samples:
Character Work:
Sadly, Peter J. Tomasi doesn’t do much to expand, enhance, or deepen the personalities of Zach and Rose through one wild night. There’s a cartoonish quality to their adventure that doesn’t give enough space for the characters to do much more than run around and act scared.
Structure:
Tomasi’s plot is fairly straightforward. Zach and Rose are chased by monsters, so they have to figure out why and come up with a solution. The solution was immediately guessable, so it wasn’t much of a puzzle. Further, the celestial beings responsible for the zombies don’t quite make their intentions or motivations plain, so things are happening, but you’re not sure why.
Strongest Point(s):
The highlight of Hornsby & Halo #4 is the relatively satisfying conclusion to the zombie attack. Zach figures out the solution and puts in the work to make sure everyone is happy. It’s basic but complete.
Weakest Point(s):
After four issues, the series just lacks a soul, which is ironic considering the subject matter. Tomasi has yet to give Rose and Zach more than superficial personalities, so there’s little reason to care about them. Further, the two appear to be pawns in a much larger conflict that is poorly defined. For these reasons, Hornsby & Halo will be the first Ghost Machine title we drop from the review rotation.
Final Thoughts:
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HORNSBY & HALO #4 brings Zach and Rose further along on their journey when they learn supernatural forces are in conflict over them, and they aren’t entirely human. Peter J. Tomasi’s script and Peter Snejbjerg’s art are technically serviceable, but this issue confirms there’s no reason to care about or continue with this series.
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