Rachel Rising: Issues #13-18

Rachel Rising

Issues #13-18

Publisher: Robyn Moore with Abstract Studios

Writer: Terry Moore

Artist: Terry Moore

Genre: Horror

Price: $3.99/issue

This is the next installment of Rachel Rising. Rachel has saved herself from her prior predicament and is back in the game. Jet has her own things going on (or not, as the story resumes.) This portion of the story gives the reader a lot of insight into the characters, and their own motivations. One set of 'big bads' in particular are escalating their torment of the town of Manson, while the other is seemingly grooming his own avenging angel.

As a plague of biblical proportions descends upon Manson Rachel and her team do their best to find out what's going on. There are a few references to her past, some 300 years ago, that are sure to factor heavily into things going forward. It is more than hinted at that everyone is playing parts that they've been made to play, and have played before; but a lot of that is still shrouded in mystery up until this point.

The last book of this part of the story ends in a tremendous cliffhanger. It is an understandable reaction under the circumstances, but I didn't quite feel that the character that instigates it would've gone to such extremes. Of course, in this situation it's quite possible that even the most rational person would jump to do things that they wouldn't normally, so that small gripe isn't really much of one.

There are some beautifully detailed panels in this installment, sprinkled occasionally throughout, my favorite of which was high angle depiction of Aunt Johnny's study. I did notice though, that with as many female characters running around as there are, I have a little trouble telling one from the other in certain scenes. Really that's a minor issue though, and doesn't detract from what is a masterfully told story thus far.

Conclusion: These issues are collected in a trade paperback titled Cemetary Songs, and it is definitely worth your hard earned cash. What began as an interesting story has become a story that leaves me anxiously awaiting the next issue. I can't recommend it highly enough to everyone I know that has at least a passing interest in comics or horror stories.

Rating: 9.25/10