Outcast by Kirkman & Azaceta #4

If you need to know the events prior to this issue, check out my review for Outcast #3. In this issue, Luke needs help exorcising his ex-partner and Kyle is the only one who can do it. (NEXT ISSUE REVIEW!)

The Good

THE STORY CONTINUES! After an amazing last issue, writer Robert Kirkman and artists Paul Azaceta and Elizabeth Breitweiser deliver yet another, outstanding issue! From start-to-finish, this issue will have you hooked into its story for one reason. Because it built on the events and tone of the last issue! Newly introduced character, Det. Luke, is desperate for help at curing his partner. His entire story of coming home and seeing his wife totally destroyed by his friend and police partner put a heavy toll on him. It is amazing how the artist capture Kirkman's ideas perfectly, because you can tell that Luke is distraught about the events and how characters [Kyle and Reverend] react to certain information. It is amazing to see how well the connection between writer and artists is, because from reading this book, it seems like they are all acting from one mind! (Which is awesome!) Anyway, you can still tell that Robert Kirkman is easing us [still] into the world of Outcast issue-by-issue and preparing us for something big! (Which is a part of the problem as well.) I like seeing characters constantly teased (to an extent) and origins vaguely talked about (again, to an extent), but overall it adds to the story in some way, form, or shape. (i.e. as a particular issue's story might deal with Kyle and his problem directly or indirectly; or an issue just might show off more of the world of Outcast and get the reader prepared for something to come.) Whatever the answer is, the team behind this issue do a great job at capturing the dark tone of something "bad" going to happen, continue to play around with really complex characters, and still is a really [really] creepy series to read!

The Bad

If I did have to say something, I do wish that Robert Kirkman spends more time on the characters he's been teasing so far. Evil villains (weird creepy old dude in a suit) or just normal broken people (Allison Barnes), Kirkman has been doing a lot of teasing these past 4 issues. And while I do want him to continue to utilize this tool, until the time is right for the big reveal of who plays what role in Kyle's life (both normal and abnormal); I want to see a bit more subtle [character development] details given to these characters that aren't necessarily major yet, but act in the background and give a weirdly unique vibe to the world of Outcast.

The Verdict

In conclusion, Outcast is a weirdly unique series. Kirkman and company did an outstanding job with this issue as they established the events of the next with a great use of mystery, character development, and beautiful pictures. It does have a problem or two, but the creative team behind Outcast are confident in their work and continue to deliver near perfect issues every month. This is a series worth reading if you are a fan of Kirkman's The Walking Dead. 4 out of 5. Until the next issue, as we see what happens to Kyle, Reverend, and Luke in prison!