In POSSESSIVE #3, available from Zenescope Entertainment on October 20th, 2021, Todd’s got his life together and is about to get his family back. Maybe shacking up with a murderous specter haunting his house was a bad idea.
The Details
- Written By: Hans Rodionoff, Adam F. Goldberg
- Art By: Eduardo Garcia
- Colors By: Robby Bevard
- Letters By: Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover Art By: Sean Chen, Ivan Nunes (cover B)
- Cover Price: $5.99
- Release Date: October 20, 2021
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Was It Good?
This is the final issue in the mini-series, and it ends pretty close to how you would expect it to end. On the plus side, there’s plenty of tension, a few awkwardly humorous moments, and a generally satisfying conclusion. On the other hand, the ending was slightly disappointing since it was so predictable.
When we get to the end of a series, we make a point to look at both the issue in isolation and the success (or failure) of the series as a whole. In isolation, the issue works very well. There’s plenty of humorously awkward tension as Todd tries to fudge his way through a rekindled relationship with his family while hiding the spirit’s presence and influence on his life. And the resolution, complete with snarky comments from Todd’s wife after she learns the truth, has some decent action to resolve the haunting while leaving the door open for future conflict. Of the three issues, this finale gave you the strongest understanding of Todd’s family dynamic in the face of the supernatural, giving off a distinct Poltergeist (1982) vibe.
As a whole, the series high points are the emotional beats between Todd and his spirit muse. In a bizarre way, Goldberg and Rodionoff paint (no pun intended) a very effective love story. That said, the tonal inconsistencies noted in the first issue persist all the way through, waffling between hardcore horror and sitcom-esque humor. That’s not to say you can’t have a story with humor and horror, but it’s a tricky balance, and the creators weren’t fully successful in maintaining that balance.
Garcia’s art, however, is the one point of enjoyable consistency throughout the series. The spirit’s designs are creepy, and the acting from the characters’ facial expressions sells the emotion of each scene perfectly. Special credit to Bevard for the fantastic coloring in this issue.
In all, POSSESSIVE is an entertaining mini-series with excellent art, plenty of scares, some laughs, and a satisfying, albeit predictable, conclusion.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
If you’d like to know how Todd got himself into this mess, first read our POSSESSIVE #2 review.
We pick up where the last issue left off with Todd’s wife showing up on his doorstep, offering to give their marriage another try in light of Todd getting his life together. Todd is eager for another shot but too quick to invite her in when he remembers the previous night’s romantic tryst with Kathryn, the spirit. Thankfully, Kathryn remains hidden as Todd gives his wife an uncomfortable tour of the house.
Later, Todd does his best to let Kathryn know in no uncertain terms that he’s breaking up with her. However, Kathryn hasn’t stuck around this long by letting things go easily, and she replies by throwing Todd out a window. Desperate to be rid of Kathryn (while admitting he has genuine feelings for her), Todd consults the last spiritual person he can find, a local rabbi. The rabbi is able to deduce Kathryn is actually a Dybbuk, a spirit bound to something that keeps them in the living realm. Todd figures out that the anchor is Kathryn’s phonograph.
That night, Todd returns to the house with an armful of apology tchotchkes for Kathryn. When they make their way up to the attic for a makeup dance, Todd grabs the phonograph and tosses it out a window. He assumes breaking the phonograph worked since Kathryn suddenly disappears.
The next day, Todd’s family moves into the house but the wrath of a jealous lover is not so easily dispelled. We conclude the last act with Todd finding out he was wrong about the phonograph, Todd’s wife using multiple F-bombs in front of the children, and the hint that Todd’s art may haunt him for years to come.
Final Thoughts
POSSESSIVE #3 is an amusing, albeit predictable, end to an entertaining mini-series about the dangers of “taking a break” in romantic relationships. The art, especially the emotional facial expressions, is consistently good throughout, and the story ends on a positive note with room for future horrors.
Score: 8/10
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