Dark Ride, Volume 3: The Devil's Due

Dark Ride #9-12

by Joshua Williamson, Andrei Bressan (Illustrator), Adriano Lucas (Illustrator)

JOSHUA WILLIAMSON (NAILBITER Batman) and ANDREI BRESSAN (BIRTHRIGHT) reunite for a thrilling plunge into murder mayhem and sinister family secrets!

Dark Ride Pluges towards it's thrilling conclusion! Now, that Sam knows who put the “Devil” in Devil Land, it’s time to take a ride on his father’s first creation--The Devil’s Due--to save a loved one.

Collects DARK RIDE #9-12

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 26, 2024

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice ending that wraps everything up.



I wish there were going to be more issues, as I think this wacky family has more entertainment value left, but I do appreciate it when an author doesn't drag a series past its shelf life.
So.
Better to go out with a nice little bang.



Without giving spoilers, I can say that this was an adequately satisfying conclusion. Kind of vanilla, but not unexpectedly vanilla, as this was never a comic that led me to believe there would be a shocking twist at the end.
Recommended.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tame, predictable ending to the weird ride that was Dark Ride. I guess I expected something twistier and stranger? Still looks good and moves fast, but I'm not sure the Dark Ride series is worth the time outside of as a spooky season read.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wraps up a fun, scary, and mostly satisfying story told in the mold of a schlocky horror flick. What I liked best about the first arc - stories told within a weird and imaginative theme park - gives way to more standard fare, a son trying to get his father’s approval and realizing that he has to make his own way in life. This is often the way with this kind of horror story - the wild and weird flattens into the mundane - but it’s done effectively.

I did find the overall message heartening - stick with your family and don’t put personal success ahead of them. As a father immersed in my daughter’s Frozen fandom, I also found the kicker at the end very funny. Frozen is just as scary as any horror film!!!

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This one wrapped up in a really wholesome manner, though it was a tad bit predictable. Overall, I thought the series was fun and creative and fits right along with the style of book I’d expect from Williamson.

[Peter Derk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, but I'm sort of over the idea that someone has a child and that child is the ONE thing that can convince them to not be a dickbag.

I hear this from friends who've had kids, stuff like, "My outlook has changed a lot, I'm really concerned about the world I'm leaving for my kids. I'll be gone, but what will they have?"

And I'm like, "Bro, that's some sociopath shit. You don't care about someone unless your semen was the mortar in their molecular building blocks?" (don't correct my understanding of biology here, nobody cares)

I don't know, I'd just like to see more stories where the writer comes up with SOME OTHER REASON that someone might want to not have the world fold in half and crush all humans the day after he dies.

Should I provide some?

1. Kitties: They will surely still exist after I'm gone, and they have no ability to affect the environment, really, on their own.

2. Homeless Horses: Similar to kitties, but larger and stronger. The Homeless Horse fund is the one I always donate to on my taxes, just because the idea of a horse living under an overpass is sad. Maybe a hero could do something to, I don't know, get these horses off meth and into useful jobs? I feel like there's lots of stuff horses could do. Personal training?

3. Uh...Internet Pornography? I mean, it would be a shame if all that smut just vanished in a nukeular explosion. That's something worth fighting for, I think. ALL porno ever made? How can some monster take it all away?

4. A Library? Listen, writers, hear me out on this one: Librarians are the people at libraries who buy books, and they get such boners for buying books with librarians in them. This is like guaranteed sales to libraries, which are kind of the best bookstores ever and kind of not because while everything is free, they also don't want you to steal it.

[Robert Bussie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the twist ending .... SPOLIER ALERTS .... turning the horror theme park into a winter wonderland. I also liked that Halloween did not turn all sweet, nice, and moral at the end. It would not have fit her egocentric personality to be worshiped as a celebrity. Having Sam finally choosing his family over his need for power was a nice cheerful ending.

The way the park attendees acted during the final act is a brilliant comment on how obsessed people can get with their fanboy and fangirl stuff.

I did not give it 5 stars because even though the ending was good it just did not feel totally satisfying. It really did not conclude, because Halloween will still need to do sacrifices in order to keep the park going. So, they really did not fix anything.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everybody loves....Halloween?

We're in the final volume now, and it's time to learn about Halloween's side of things. What's it like to be the child of someone famous? How can you be yourself? CAN you be something different?
Meanwhile, Sam has a date with the creepy coaster that is 'Devil's Due'. His daughter is trapped inside and he has to buckle up and ride...it...out.

Arthur Dante is running out of time on his end. His contract has no extension and his silent partner is getting....vocal.
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You don't have to be a fan of horror to love this series. Loved it.
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Bonus: Probably the most gruesome deaths in the whole series are in this volume. Ouch!

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dark Ride is a campy horror series from Joshua Williamson and Andrei Bressan that features a haunted theme park and the impact its had on the family that runs it. There's a comedic undertone to a lot of it so it's not truly a horror series, but Bressan does draw the hell out of some scenes to really amp up the haunted aspect well. As a conclusion, this was a pretty fitting (and also surprisingly wholesome) ending, but I can't say I felt like this story was anything all that memorable. The characters have a heightened lunacy to them to make them feel larger than life, but ultimately I can't say the series did anything particularly interesting with the genre.

[Aliyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series had me hooked from the jump not only as a Disney lore fan but as a horror fan as well. There was no moments where I was bored reading because not only was there foreshadowing moments to keep an eye out for but it genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so disappointed to realize that this was the last volume in the series because it left me wanting more. Nothing could prepare me for the climax to this series, especially the second to last page of chapter 11. It gave me goosebumps. Honestly, I haven't picked up a comic that left me feeling so in love with comics in a while. Absolutely a must read.

[Cale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series never lived up to my hopes. It focused too much on the family behind the park, which admittedly makes for a more human story, but even with the POV change to Halloween, the story never got beyond the pretty obvious turns of Volume 1. And it disappointed me that the park was the impetus for the story, but never really the center of it. What we're left with is a pretty straightforward legacy of guilt storyline that plays out just about as expected. Although the climax has its moments, the series never really rose above being just okay.

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first two books back in May, when the momentum was strong, and the mood was just right. Now, something was amiss. Perhaps too much time has passed. Perhaps the mood was a bit wrong.
It was still nice to learn how the Dark Ride family saga concluded, and I still like the general idea, but the actual reading experience this time around was fairly average. The heart rate stayed the same, which isn't right for what's meant to be a haunted ride of your worst nightmares. But either way, it was fun.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Williamson and Bressan bring their haunted amusement park thrill ride to a conclusion in this final volume. I've been getting a little annoyed with these series that have been billed as ongoing and then end after 12 issues, but this one actually feels really complete. All the questions are answered, all the characters get their happy/unhappy endings, and it feels like we've come a long way in only twelve issues. Great art as always, and I don't think I'll ever look at Disneyland the same again.

[The Geeky Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad to see this one end, but glad that they didn't feel the need to drag it out. Joshua Williamson is one of my favourite current comic book writers, shifting easily between horror, fantasy, and mainstream superhero comics, because he always delivers, and he does so here in spades. Visually stunning, 'Dark Ride' is one of my favourite horror series of this past year.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

And we come to the end of the ride! This final volume kinda gets away from itself, plot wise and pacing, but the expected beats aren't unwelcome. The ending was a bit predictable if you think about the story structure, and there is some decent horror. I think avide amusement park goers will have fun with this one, even if it doesn't all come together neatly.

[SassieMolassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with the conclusion to this exciting graphic novel series. It felt very rushed, and I ultimately felt let down at the end. That being said, I enjoyed the heck out of the series, and did like Sam and Halloween's conclusion (especially liked Arthur's big scene at the end).

[Mee Too · Rating 3 out of 5]

one of those books i read just to close out the series. I give all three volumes a 2.9-3.2

I like scary movies not horror and gore.

Maybe i just lean towards the cerebral side of filmmaking....writing, conversations, art.... ...etc.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept hoping for this to be something more. Something it probably was never going to be. At least a coherent story would have been nice. The draw, again, is the artwork by Andrei Bressan. Ultimately, I don't think this series worked the way it should have and would mark it down as a failure.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review is for all three volumes read consecutively

It doesn't end where the first issue seemed to be going, ending up lighter and more friendly than it seems like it should, but overall enjoyable.

[Zachary Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to what ends up being a quick series that is hard to put down. The art feels the strongest in this volume which leads me to hope for an oversized deluxe edition one day.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun ride.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Ride delivers a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to an acclaimed series, cementing its place as a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and horror. Bressan delivers some beautifully detailed art that perfectly captures the dark and horrific elements of the story. I think everyone should read this series, and I thought it ended on a more satisfying note or on the same level as Birthright. Dark Ride stays true to its form in this installment, ramping up both the personal and literal terror to a fascinating degree throughout the volume. I'm sad that Dark Ride is over, but grateful that the series got to end on its own terms.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

ended a bit more abruptly than I wanted it to but still a good series.

[Minki Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

+ exciting climax
- predictable ending

[Mariano · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lukewarm ending for a great series. Feels a little bit rushed, but satisfying nonetheless. Recommended!!!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the series wrapped up pretty well. Maybe a 3.75 for this volume. Not my usual type of series, but it's always good to expand.

[Tom Zilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series overall, with a mediocre ending.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5.0

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This closed out the tale in a satisfying and bloody way.

[Amethyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid ending to a great horror series.