Set in the quaint town of Barlowe, New York, this deconstruction of the slasher genre gives horror fans a fresh and terrifyingly grounded take on the horror sub-genre that has been dying for in The Harrower. Created by writer Justin Jordan and artist Brahm Revel.
The Harrower centers around a teenage girl named Jessica Brink and her group of equally skeptical friends on one Halloween night. Their night takes a turn for the worst when they find themselves being stalked by the Harrower, who no one seems to have ever caught before. The Harrower is a purveyor of puritanical vengeance, his target always being those who he feels have strayed from traditional values. What gritty and gruesome secrets will Jessica unfold as she tries to survive the night?
The series feels like a well made 1980s slasher film in a comic book form. The story is both unapologetic and unrelenting, a rollercoaster ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning each page. The artwork adds to the suspense, with a simple color scheme that allows the story to take center stage. You can feel the grit and grime of the town as you move through each page. The artists manage to capture the feeling of dread, and the sense of utter hopelessness that the characters experience.
The Harrower is not for the faint-hearted. The creators do not shy away from the violence, gore, and brutality that you would expect from a slasher story. The difference is, however, the reality factor that is thrown in the mix. The characters are relatable with real-world problems that make you feel for them. You can never predict what’s going to happen next; the story is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing.
We love this series and would love to see it adapted into a film in the future. It has all the hallmarks of being a great horror movie and would make the perfect addition to the slasher genre. It has something for both horror fans and non-horror fans alike. It’s not a cookie-cutter story with a predictable ending, but a unique and refreshing take on the genre that really keeps the reader hooked.
The Harrower is perfect for those who enjoy a scary movie, but prefer to read comic books instead. The comic book is fresh, exciting and the potential of what it could become makes it one to watch. The Harrower is an excellent work of horror that deserves an audience.
The collected trade paperback of The Harrower hits local comic shops on October 25, 2023 and bookstores everywhere on October 31.
The Harrower Preview
