Gideon Falls #14 // Review
Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino continue to lead readers on a trip through time within the Black Barn, on the hunt for a madman. This hyper-realistic surreal horror suspense defies not only expectations but genre classifications on the whole as it perpetually shifts ever so dramatically from one issue to the next. This title stands leagues ahead of most comics on the market today and stands side by side with many much earlier medium bending classics. Clearing having struck gold, this creative power couple continues to take this series to the edge of the abyss.
As the reverend continues his journey throughout the ages, he witnesses as multiple timelines and scenarios play out with Gideon Falls as the backdrop of each descent. Finally landing in a dilapidated Gideon, the townspeople have been waiting for him and claim to have met him already within the future. Even more confused than before, the reverend heads their words and is introduced to their lead doctor. As the doctor takes the reverend to their church, he comes face to face with the Pentoculus, the swirling five sons previously seen within the Black Barn. Learning of its time travel capabilities he is sent backward 50 years into the future from his present time.
Andrea Sorrentino continues to lay his hyper-realistic character moments right alongside his mind-bending high concept pages in this menagerie of beautiful horror. From every individual unique panel layout to the inherent dichotomy between the multiple techniques between, Sorrentino is putting his heart and soul into this genre-defying modern classic. It cannot be stayed enough the actual sheer talent and mastery of the medium Sorrentino completely displays with each new issue. Black Hammer colorist, Dave Stewart continues to lay the dreary backdrop over the series and adding the realistic grit to keep the series grounded firmly within reality while maintaining to bring the high concept panels leaping off of the pages.
Jeff Lemire is by far one of the most hardworking creators in the industry today. Producing multiple ongoing projects at any given time, Lemire never relents as each of his multiple titles continue to outdo each respective chapter. Standing as his strongest yet most esoteric title, Gideon Falls continues to leave jaws hanging on the floor with each new issue as fans wait patiently for more from this modern classic.
As the duo continues to draw out this slow burn, more secrets and questions reveal themselves and keep interest locked on the title. With an ending coming from completely the left field, the next chapter will be left to answer many questions as to what has truly taken place and what will come next. Lemire and Sorrentino continue to produce one of the most original, engaging and imaginative titles on the market today.
Grade: A+
