In THE PLOT #8, available from Vault Comics on March 3rd, 2021, the Blaine family thinks they’ve defeated the beast at the expense of Chase’s life. When both Chase and the beast rise up to continue the fight, Chase chooses a different plan of attack.
The Details
- Written By: Tim Daniel, Michael Moreci
- Art By: Joshua Hixson
- Colors By: Kurt Michael Russell
- Letters By: Jim Campbell
- Cover Art By: Joshua Hixson
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: March 3, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, in a soulful way. The art is still dramatic and moody, but the art team added in a ray of hopeful sunshine that may or may not be real.
Daniel and Moreci’s writing successfully interweaves dialog from the past, present, and future to collide at just the right point for a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to this country horror story.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD]
Before we get too far, read out THE PLOT #7 review to get caught up.
We begin with a flashforward (maybe) to Chase walking into a surprise birthday party that hasn’t quite been set up yet. Reese is busying herself with preparations. Zach is home from college to do a little laundry before the party gets going. And MacKenzie phones home to let everyone know she’s running late from work.
Right off, you get the sense that Chase is living the idyllic family life he never had. The ages of Zach and MacKenzie tip the reader off that this is the future, but the one remaining question — is it real?
Back to now and Chase is struggling to get to his feet after getting stabbed at the end of the last issue. The beast lies dead (maybe) nearby, and the family helps Chase get up
Of course, the beast isn’t dead and it rises in classic monster movie fashion behind the family when suddenly, the beast’s head is half blown off by the newly-arrived deputy.
Chase, injured but managing, asks the deputy to take his family out and away from the house while he arranges to burn the house down. Chase heads down into the tunnels with a torch to find the heart of the catacombs to kill the curse at its core.
Along the way, Chase meets the specters of dead relatives who’ve all been taken by the beast over the years. They guide him to where he needs to go with the same mantra spoken over and over — “Want only what you have…”
Chase is lead by the ghost of his deceased brother, Charles, to the heart of the catacombs; a crypt wall. Before he goes any further, Chase unloads all the hurt and feat and regret he’s been feeling on his brother before they say goodbye for the last time.
Without giving away the very satisfying ending, Chase makes good use of a sledgehammer, the beast (still alive) faces a stronger enemy than Chase, and many tears are shed but for different reasons
Final Thoughts
THE PLOT #8, available from Vault Comics on March 3rd, 2021, wraps up this country monster story with drama, thrills, and lots of heart. The art creates a suitably gothic atmosphere, and the conclusion is epically cinematic.
Score: 9/10
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