HOUR OF THE WOLF #3 – Review

HOUR OF THE WOLF #3, by Mad Cave Studios on 1/15/25, finds Own leading his latest rescue through a maze of memories to stop the painting from claiming another victim.

Credits:

• Writer: Mark London
• Artist: Danilo Beyruth
• Colorist: Fabi Marques
• Letterer: Dave Sharpe
• Cover Artist: Andrei Bressan
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: January 15, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of HOUR OF THE WOLF #3:

Plot:

The issue picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of Hour of the Wolf #2. Owen leads Jan through the maze of halls and doors created by the painting. Their trail ends at door #1888, the same year Owen became a member of Wolvenheart. When Owen and Jan push through, they experience a truncated montage of Owen’s memories, when he was nearly killed by a supernatural spider demon, rescued by another member of Wolvenheart, and given a choice. The issue ends with Jan’s daughter making an innocent deal with two “children” and an arrival at the last door.

Artwork and Presentation:

Brazilian comic artist extraordinaire Danilo Beyruth has his hands full as Owen and Jan jump from one scene to the next in rapid-fire succession. There is an intentional atmosphere of disorientation, but Beyruth uses camera angles and panel perspectives to keep the transitions from one panel to the next smooth and linear to help the reader along.

Art Samples:

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Character Work:

Writer Mark London uses the opportunity of the chase to give new readers an origin story for Owen. You could make the case London is extremely clever for using the mechanism of the painting to explore Owen’s memories in a more creative way than a standard flashback. That case would be correct.

Structure:

London’s plot structure is where Hour of the Wolf #3 may not hook everyone. We know Owen is the focal character, and we know the deadly stakes for anyone who succumbs to the painting’s hunger. What we don’t know is what Owen is trying to accomplish or how he intends to accomplish it. Generically, Owen needs to get Jan and her daughter away from the painting, ideally through its destruction, but after three issues, there’s no inkling of the path to get there. It reads as if Owen and Jan are following the path they’re given, reacting instead of acting.

Strongest Point(s):

The two highlights of this issue are the strong art from Danilo Beyruth and Mark London’s clever use of the present danger to explain Owen’s origin story.

Weakest Point(s):

The weak point, which is minor, is the lack of clarity surrounding Owen’s path to success in his mission. Obviously, he wants to save the day, but for now, Hour of the Wolf #3 reads like Owen is going where he’s led.

Final Thoughts:

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HOUR OF THE WOLF #3 leads Owen and Jan through a maze of horrors, creating a clever opportunity to inform readers about Owen’s history. Mark London’s script is well-paced and thrilling. Danilo Beyruth’s art gets a successful workout with the multitude of setting transitions that come at you rapid-fire. That said, this issue works best as a backstory for Owen, but the forward direction is less clear.

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