Time to Stop Running
Synopsis: The aftermath of Zoe's latest murder commences. Will Hunter be added to her growing list or does how favorite geek have a Guardian angel?
Minor Spoilers Ahead!
Pros:
We finally get back to one of the most interesting and adrenaline inducing dynamics in Zoe and Hunter. Fresh off of Morning Glories #15 we arrive at the scene of Zoe's most recent kill. First, I'd like to give congrats to Alex Sollazzo for providing the colors for the gore in this issue (and there is plenty of it) as it is delightfully sick. Also the look of danger in Zoe's eyes as she chases Hunter through the forest is subtly horrifying. The art is what you've come to expect. It is by no means horrible or atrocious and does well to convey the emotions of the characters, more accurately the terror of Hunter as he flees a pursuing Zoe. I also enjoyed Zoe's expression towards the end when she tells him to "Shh" in anticipation of the stabbing to come.
Enough on the art, on to the story. This issue is intertwined with present and past events, per usual, and this time we get to see the relationship between Hunter and his dying mother. I cared deeply for Hunter most in these scenes even though I knew he was in mortal danger in the present. This is exemplified at the end of scene with his mother that really tugs at the heartstrings. We can clearly see the care he has for his ailing as he rushes to see her in the hospital not even stopping to apologize to a girl he smashes into. In addition, we are reintroduced to something that is a defining characteristic of Hunter: his lack of confidence. This is put on full view as he has a conversation with his mother about a certain application to a certain school. Speaking of his mother, I actually enjoyed how lighthearted she was given her situation and the role she clearly played in Hunter's life.Though some of the things she said made me wonder if she was more knowledgeable about the school than she let on. Finally, we see Hunter's frustration with his special condition regarding time and the consequences relating back to one of earlier issues where Hunter missed his mother's funeral.
Back in the present we get the confrontation between Zoe and Hunter. I mentioned in a previous review how I disagreed with the notion that Zoe killed that girl because of her jealously for Hunter and offed her because she basically was in the way and I feel this issue proves my guess correct. Anyway, we get yet another shocking development in the last 2-3 pages that will definitely bring you back next month. More questions will be asked and no answers given.
Cons:
Mostly just how short the chapter felt. Even though the issues have about the same amount of pages this one felt on the light side mostly due to the lack of exposition and heavier focus on action, movement, and intrigue. Also I find this monthly insert of more and more questions a bit aggravating, but as I said before I believe Spencer will provide the answers when the time is right.
Verdict:
A good, solid chapter even if it is a bit light on content as it more than makes up for it in substance. A bit more reveal in the way of character history regarding Hunter. By the end we have more questions and even less answers especially regarding the status of someone who is considered a main character.