LOCUST #3 – Review

In LOCUST #3, available from Scout Comics on September 8th, 2021, Max’s original conflict with Ford comes to a head with lethal consequences. Meanwhile, Max’s present-day hunt for Ford has him fighting for his life in a cult safe house.

The Details

• Written By: Massimo Rosi
• Art By: Alex Nieto
• Colors By: Alex Nieto
• Letters By: Mattia Gentili
• Cover Art By: Alex Nieto
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Release Date: September 8, 2021

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Was It Good?

Whoa, Nelly! This was a horrific issue in every sense of the word. (Hint: the cover should be a tip-off).

As the solicit description for this issue states, this title is building two timelines that will eventually converge. First, we witness the weeks just after the plague begins with Max and his mother staying under the uncomfortable watch of Ford and his “flock.” Second, Max is hunting Ford several years later after Ford has taken a baby with significance for Max.

Nothing about this story has feel-good moments that will touch your heart. It’s all desperation, hate, and large doses of zealous insanity. In short, it makes for one of the most visceral and effective horror comics out right now.

And the ending… My goodness, the ending can only de described with a meme.

If you’re a horror fan and that endorsement doesn’t convince you, nothing will.

As for the art, again, it’s adequate for this story as I noted in the review for issue #2. However, there is a notable difference here that stands out. When a character goes into full berserker/crazy mode, Nieto uses a subtle trick to give the character a red iris. It’s a small thing but it’s incredibly effective at using the art to show a character’s emotional state and to show how Max and Ford have moments where they can be the same and yet different.

It could be explained as a simple trick of the light, and to be fair, it is a subtle effect. But, it somehow stands out powerfully.

Powerful, tense writing and art that gets under your skin with a gut-punch ending that you can’t unsee.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]

Before you’re dragged down into the madness, find out what happened previously in our LOCUST #2 review.

During the early days of the plague, Max and his mother have taken refuge in Ford’s camp inside an abandoned NYC police station. They discuss leaving within a week since Ford’s people give off a strange vibe. Privately, Max tells Ford his plans, and while Ford is calm about the news, he’s uncomfortably firm that he can’t let them go out into a dangerous world.

Later, Max wakes up to a strange noise coming from the basement. When he investigates, he sees Max holding a religious service where he informs his flock that they are the chosen to endure the plague and restore a covenant with God… through sacrifice. The first to be offered up is a young girl who happens to be Ford’s daughter through an incestuous relationship with Ford’s lobotomized sister.

In the present, Max is forced to defend himself against a room full of Locusts unleashed by the cult. He barely manages to survive, but before he can force the cult to tell him Ford’s whereabouts, a believer takes a child hostage.

We conclude the issue with Max making a demand of the believers, Max saving another child years ago, and Max paying a terrible price for defying Ford’s cult.

Final Thoughts

LOCUST #3 takes readers on an uncomfortable ride filled with hideous monsters, murderous cults, and wall-to-wall desperation and insanity. The gut-punch ending will haunt you. Horror fans must get on board with this title.

Score: 9.5/10