Review: Daphne Byrne #6
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Laura Marks
Artist: Kelley Jones
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Reviewer: Tony Farina
Summary
The full scope of Daphne’s relationship with the mysterious Brother is revealed – and so is the full strength of their combined power. God help anyone in their path…
Positives
Kelley Jones everyone. Kelley Freaking Jones. Seriously. I could just write his name 250 times and that wouldn’t be enough to explain how positive I feel about him and his work on this. Also, my editor would hate me if I did that. I shall open my thesaurus instead (hey kids, that is a book of words that show other words that mean the same thing). I went to Stupendous and here is what I found: wondrous, grand, staggering, dynamite, miraculous… The list goes on. You get it. Right? Kelley Jones is a beast. You should bow before his artistic mastery. Bow. When you check this panel below, marvel at the game he has when he draws forehead wrinkles. I mean, who knew those could be creepy? Oh right, Kelley Freaking Jones did. Now we all know.
His partner in this delightful creepfest is Laura Marks. She is a TV writer, playwright and, in my book, queen of tension. This book has had me on edge the whole series and Daphne Byrne #6 leaves me out there right until the last panel and damn, what a last panel. Honestly, I read a lot and I am normally not sucker punched with an ending like I was here. I did not see that coming. Thanks Ms. Marks. I appreciate you not being lazy and for treating your readers with respect. Whatever your next project is, sign me up.
Negatives
Look, has this series been perfect? Maybe? Is this issue the perfect ending? Sure. Could I pick a nit? Of course. Am I going to? No. I am not. Once again, Hill House has proven to be the Vertigo replacement we all need.
Verdict
Daphne Byrne #6 is the ending we need and the ending that Daphne herself deserves. This series has been so bananas. I have loved the mystery. Kelley Jones has been his usual brilliant self. Laura Marks has written a tight, horror/supernatural thriller. If you didn’t read this, go pre-order the trade. Go. Right now.
