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The Woods
The Woods, Vol. 7: The Black City
A Midwestern high school is transported into the middle of an Alien forest. This is the story of what happens next.
Is there a reason mankind has always feared the untamed forest? Isaac’s premonitions have revealed the key to returning to Earth: The Black City. Karen, Sanami, and Ben will have to venture far beyond the reaches of the civilization they’ve built and into the heart of the alien wilderness in the hopes of finally going home. But in the center of the woods, they discover the truth behind the ancient fear of the forest for themselves. Written by James Tynion IV (Detective Comics, Memetic) and illustrated by Michael Dialynas (Gotham Academy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), “The Black City” collects the seventh arc of the best-selling series.
Is there a reason mankind has always feared the untamed forest? Isaac’s premonitions have revealed the key to returning to Earth: The Black City. Karen, Sanami, and Ben will have to venture far beyond the reaches of the civilization they’ve built and into the heart of the alien wilderness in the hopes of finally going home. But in the center of the woods, they discover the truth behind the ancient fear of the forest for themselves. Written by James Tynion IV (Detective Comics, Memetic) and illustrated by Michael Dialynas (Gotham Academy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), “The Black City” collects the seventh arc of the best-selling series.
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2017
About the author
James Tynion IV
1,746 books2,233 followersPrior to his first professional work, Tynion was a student of Scott Snyder's at Sarah Lawrence College. A few years later, he worked as for Vertigo as Fables editor Shelly Bond's intern. In late 2011, with DC deciding to give Batman (written by Snyder) a back up feature, Tynion was brought in by request of Snyder to script the back ups he had plotted. Tynion would later do the same with the Batman Annual #1, which was also co-plotted by Snyder. Beginning in September 2012, with DC's 0 issue month for the New 52, Tynion will be writing Talon, with art by Guillem March. In early 2013 it was announced that he'd take over writing duties for Red Hood and the Outlaws in April.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Tynion is also currently one of the writers in a rotating team in the weekly Batman Eternal series.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
November 8, 2017
The final act begins. There's another time jump to the 2nd anniversary of Bay Point HS's disappearance...from Earth's perspective. For the first time we get to see how the parents of the missing students are making out. Meanwhile back in New London, Ben, Karen, Sanami, and Sander are following Isaac to the Black City for their last shot at getting home.
July 29, 2017
I'm so happy we finally saw what is happening on (what we can only assume is) earth.
Also, if you put this series down at any point, I can assure you NOW IS THE TIME TO PICK IT BACK UP. LET'S GO, PLOT. LET'S GO.
Also, if you put this series down at any point, I can assure you NOW IS THE TIME TO PICK IT BACK UP. LET'S GO, PLOT. LET'S GO.
August 13, 2017
We're heading right for the conclusion here as, after another little time jump, the kids from Bay Point head out towards the Black City to finally escape The Woods once and for all.
For the first time since the series started, we get to flash back to Earth and see how the kids' parents are dealing with the loss of their children two years later. Spoilers: not well. It seems like a weird plotline to introduce this late in the game, but there's a good reason for it that isn't apparent till right near the end.
A lot of Tynion's chickens are coming home to roost here as the Horde, the kids, the New Londoners, and Isaac and Adrian begin their endgames. There's a lot to wrap up in the final four issues, that's for sure.
For the first time since the series started, we get to flash back to Earth and see how the kids' parents are dealing with the loss of their children two years later. Spoilers: not well. It seems like a weird plotline to introduce this late in the game, but there's a good reason for it that isn't apparent till right near the end.
A lot of Tynion's chickens are coming home to roost here as the Horde, the kids, the New Londoners, and Isaac and Adrian begin their endgames. There's a lot to wrap up in the final four issues, that's for sure.
November 5, 2022
If I were to foster a cat right now, I'd name it Doctor Robot, for sure.
It'd be kind of fun to name your kid Doctor. Really stick it to all the doctors out there. "See, I just DECIDED to do this! This is a baby, he doesn't even know how to keep HIMSELF alive!"
Take that, stupid asshole doctors.
It'd be kind of fun to name your kid Doctor. Really stick it to all the doctors out there. "See, I just DECIDED to do this! This is a baby, he doesn't even know how to keep HIMSELF alive!"
Take that, stupid asshole doctors.
February 27, 2020
Third-year of The Woods starts and I am disappointed. It is still well made - writing is good and so is the art. Unfortunately, this lacks the... fun? I guess so. The art is pastel, the colouring is weirdly blurred and it doesn't feel like the series at the beginning. I understand that it shouldn't feel like that and that the series needs to evolve, yet in here it doesn't work for me.
In here we star seeing the parents on Earth and maybe I would care if they were here from the beginning but now they seem to be there simply just because. I'd much rather saw the story with more characters from the alien moon, rather than pages upon pages with the parents and their grief, which works but it is kinda boring.
But my biggest problem is at the end of this book. We have Adrian become Issac 2.0. aaaand I don't give a shit about that. It was done. It may be a fake-out because he didn't actually kill Sanami... However, I don't feel the excitement I felt once before.
In here we star seeing the parents on Earth and maybe I would care if they were here from the beginning but now they seem to be there simply just because. I'd much rather saw the story with more characters from the alien moon, rather than pages upon pages with the parents and their grief, which works but it is kinda boring.
But my biggest problem is at the end of this book. We have Adrian become Issac 2.0. aaaand I don't give a shit about that. It was done. It may be a fake-out because he didn't actually kill Sanami... However, I don't feel the excitement I felt once before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2020
(3,5 of 5 for finally getting direction to some conclusion)
Nothing changed in my RX (reader's experience) since the previous book. Maybe I even started to like some of the art (a page here, a page there). But I have little interest in characters and the only thing I'm interested in is the story. And now I'm looking towards its end.
Nothing changed in my RX (reader's experience) since the previous book. Maybe I even started to like some of the art (a page here, a page there). But I have little interest in characters and the only thing I'm interested in is the story. And now I'm looking towards its end.
May 31, 2023
We’re getting closer to the end! We finally find out who/what inhabited The Black City & why they’re calling humans to the planet every century. We also get our first glimpse at what’s been happening on earth since the kids have been gone, how their parents have been dealing, etc!
THAT ENDING THO!
THAT ENDING THO!
August 19, 2022
Jesus, things are escalating quickly.
Karen is not so annoying on this one, Adrian and Isaac are back, with us understanding what that moon really is and, finally, we see what is happening on earth, on the site of the disappearing, with the school's families and all. Good volume.
Karen is not so annoying on this one, Adrian and Isaac are back, with us understanding what that moon really is and, finally, we see what is happening on earth, on the site of the disappearing, with the school's families and all. Good volume.
October 26, 2025
Read as part of my October 2025 spooky reading marathon (book ten).
January 21, 2018
The buildup from all previous volumes is finally starting to pay off here, and the answers are gonna come with a heavy price. Also, kudos for actually addressing what's going on back on Earth, and then for throwing that zinger. This series is totally delivering.
July 30, 2017
The cast has been whittled down in the last few volumes and the story seems to be benefitting from that. It also helps that the central plot of how do the kids get home was advanced considerably.
August 14, 2022
The inhabitants of Bay Point have settled in and are living their lives as much as one can given their situation. However, there’s just one small question they need answered before they can move on once and for all: will going home ever become a real possibility? Karen, Sanami, and Ben are about to find out the answer to that once and for all now that Isaac has summoned them. The reason? It’s time to venture into The Black City, which has all the answers to their questions.
After reading the sixth volume, which I didn’t review because I didn’t have much to say about it other than I wish it was in real time rather than a series of flashbacks, I was really excited to see what this volume had in store. After a small time jump, we see Karen still struggling with Calder’s death, but dealing with it better than expected. Most of the characters appear to finally and truly settle in because the chances of going home are slim, but not totally out of the question. There’s still a small chance, but everyone knows it’s likely one very small sliver of a chance.
That’s where Isaac comes in. He’s finally figured out how to get into The Black City and survive traveling there. We finally learn what the city is as well as the original purpose of the moon all together along with who has been transporting humans to this moon at random. We finally get some answers, but now there’s new questions and a new threat to the survival of everyone living on this moon. Honestly, I wouldn’t have gone with Isaac because he’s shown he’s short tempered and untrustworthy, but that’s just me.
The most exciting part of this entire volume is that we finally get to see what’s been happening back on Earth. We learn what story has been given to explain the disappearance of the school and all of its inhabitants along with what a handful of the parents left behind believe. I’ve been dying to find out what’s been happening back on Earth, so I’m extremely excited that it’s finally happened and that we’ll be seeing more for the rest of the series. I loved seeing the parents and seeing how they’ve dealt with what’s happened. I feel bad for them, but I’m also excited to see the journey they’re about to go on after the ending of this volume. Phew. What a way to end the volume!
After reading the sixth volume, which I didn’t review because I didn’t have much to say about it other than I wish it was in real time rather than a series of flashbacks, I was really excited to see what this volume had in store. After a small time jump, we see Karen still struggling with Calder’s death, but dealing with it better than expected. Most of the characters appear to finally and truly settle in because the chances of going home are slim, but not totally out of the question. There’s still a small chance, but everyone knows it’s likely one very small sliver of a chance.
That’s where Isaac comes in. He’s finally figured out how to get into The Black City and survive traveling there. We finally learn what the city is as well as the original purpose of the moon all together along with who has been transporting humans to this moon at random. We finally get some answers, but now there’s new questions and a new threat to the survival of everyone living on this moon. Honestly, I wouldn’t have gone with Isaac because he’s shown he’s short tempered and untrustworthy, but that’s just me.
The most exciting part of this entire volume is that we finally get to see what’s been happening back on Earth. We learn what story has been given to explain the disappearance of the school and all of its inhabitants along with what a handful of the parents left behind believe. I’ve been dying to find out what’s been happening back on Earth, so I’m extremely excited that it’s finally happened and that we’ll be seeing more for the rest of the series. I loved seeing the parents and seeing how they’ve dealt with what’s happened. I feel bad for them, but I’m also excited to see the journey they’re about to go on after the ending of this volume. Phew. What a way to end the volume!
June 3, 2025
The Woods Vol. 7: The Black City – Fight for Survival in a Mad World!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas continue their gripping saga with *The Black City*, a high-stakes installment that plunges deeper into the chaos of survival and the desperate search for home. The tension is palpable, the stakes are higher than ever, and the eerie heart of the forest reveals its secrets in ways both terrifying and mesmerizing.
Epic Story of Survival
From the very first issue, *The Woods* has balanced thrilling action with deep character-driven storytelling, and this volume is no exception. Karen, Sanami, and Ben’s journey into the unknown forces them to confront not only the physical dangers of the alien wilderness but also the psychological weight of their past choices. As they navigate the treacherous terrain, the mystery of the forest intensifies, delivering gut-punch revelations that reframe their understanding of the world they’ve come to know.
Dialynas' Stunning Artwork
The visceral energy of the story is magnified by Dialynas’ artwork, which effortlessly shifts between beauty and brutality. The alien landscape feels hauntingly alive, reinforcing the book’s central theme—humanity’s instinctive fear of the wild. His work continues to be a perfect match for Tynion’s storytelling, bringing emotional depth to every panel while keeping the tension razor-sharp.
Final Verdict
This volume is a powerhouse of emotion, mystery, and survival, setting up an explosive finale that promises to be unforgettable. For long-time fans, *The Black City* delivers everything *The Woods* has excelled at—rich lore, sharp writing, and unforgettable moments.
Now, onto the final volume—because there's no way I’m stopping here!
Happy reading 🪐👽👾📚
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas continue their gripping saga with *The Black City*, a high-stakes installment that plunges deeper into the chaos of survival and the desperate search for home. The tension is palpable, the stakes are higher than ever, and the eerie heart of the forest reveals its secrets in ways both terrifying and mesmerizing.
Epic Story of Survival
From the very first issue, *The Woods* has balanced thrilling action with deep character-driven storytelling, and this volume is no exception. Karen, Sanami, and Ben’s journey into the unknown forces them to confront not only the physical dangers of the alien wilderness but also the psychological weight of their past choices. As they navigate the treacherous terrain, the mystery of the forest intensifies, delivering gut-punch revelations that reframe their understanding of the world they’ve come to know.
Dialynas' Stunning Artwork
The visceral energy of the story is magnified by Dialynas’ artwork, which effortlessly shifts between beauty and brutality. The alien landscape feels hauntingly alive, reinforcing the book’s central theme—humanity’s instinctive fear of the wild. His work continues to be a perfect match for Tynion’s storytelling, bringing emotional depth to every panel while keeping the tension razor-sharp.
Final Verdict
This volume is a powerhouse of emotion, mystery, and survival, setting up an explosive finale that promises to be unforgettable. For long-time fans, *The Black City* delivers everything *The Woods* has excelled at—rich lore, sharp writing, and unforgettable moments.
Now, onto the final volume—because there's no way I’m stopping here!
Happy reading 🪐👽👾📚
November 17, 2017
Just when you thought the stakes couldn't get higher, after two years trapped in the strange other world, the high school students finally find a way home. At least, the ones who are still alive. Alternating between grieving parents and the hard boiled adventurers that the kids have become, this book tells a story of difficult decisions which shape lives.
I absolutely recommend this comic to science fiction fans and YA readers.
I absolutely recommend this comic to science fiction fans and YA readers.
January 30, 2022
Finally seeing what's going on back on Earth gives the comic a nice grounding that I hadn't even realized it was missing. Meanwhile, things are starting to dovetail together on the alien moon, and we finally start to get some answers.
And the ending: it makes me want to immediately pick up the next volume.
All around a strong volume hopefully suggesting we're coming in for a strong ending.
And the ending: it makes me want to immediately pick up the next volume.
All around a strong volume hopefully suggesting we're coming in for a strong ending.
September 30, 2023
Wow just wow. In this volume, it jumps back and forth between the grieving parents on Earth of their missing kids. On the alien planet, our fearless team follows Isaac to a powerful computer in order to send them back to Earth. But does it really happen? Love everything about this volume, the story, the graphics and of course the cliffhanger at the end!
October 27, 2019
I’ll probably finish this series tonight. It is finally picking up again. This volume in particular ended on a nice cliffhanger that suggests the story will come full circle. It is nice to see a glimpse of hope with high stakes.
December 28, 2017
I enjoyed this volume a lot more than the last. I’m glad to finally see what the parents of the kids from Bay Point have been going through – and it appears that the beginning of the end has begun.
July 9, 2019
After so long, I finally get to see what the parents on earth are doing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2021
It was a very solid volume! As we're heading to the finale, we get to understand more about this place, as well as the impact the school's disappearance had on the ones who stayed behind.
April 4, 2025
Good ending but a bit dull in the lead-up.
August 2, 2018
Wait no, this is the best book in the series!
Mind blown! Lets just say that James Tynion is so good. I'm so impressed with this series. I feel like I've grown with the characters as they grow. These kids aren't kids anymore. Far from it. I feel like this series is an exploration of what people could become. Their potential more than just surviving an alien planet. All while the story keeps the suspense and action high. But does the growth of the characters take a back seat to any one it.
Another year has gone by and our heroes are more hardened than before. The last time we had a pretty big time jump like this, with out flash backs it was hard to know what had happened in between. All we need to know is that our heroes have become hardened more than ever. Even to the point that they're settled with never leaving the planet. But after 2 years an opportunity arises and how ever skeptical they might be they take it.
What this book does compared to the rest before it is finally show us the perspective of the people back on earth. The parents and family who lost their kids. The effective it has is real. I mean as real as as ya know anything like a school disappearing in thin air can be. Through out reading this series I haven't really thought that I had to see this but I did always wonder of corse. Here we finally see it and if it were anywhere else, even through out the series it definitely would have slowed the story down seeing Earth's perspective. Its perfect how it finally been visited.
I anyone ever wondered when we'd see the parent's side of all this I'm still wondering when we'll see more of the teachers. This is a whole school were talking about. Its been forever since we've seen a teacher! The flow of everything works of corse but really though in-between books I always wonder when we'll see a teacher.I feel like people would roll their eyes to find out that its all these kids running everything but this is a teen book. I know what I was getting myself into. I didn't know how blown away by everything I'd be though. Thats whats been so great about these books, how ever unrealistic it all may be, the characters are. Makes everything else melt away.
I can't wait to start the next book. But I'm coming to the end and I am not looking forward to that at all.
Mind blown! Lets just say that James Tynion is so good. I'm so impressed with this series. I feel like I've grown with the characters as they grow. These kids aren't kids anymore. Far from it. I feel like this series is an exploration of what people could become. Their potential more than just surviving an alien planet. All while the story keeps the suspense and action high. But does the growth of the characters take a back seat to any one it.
Another year has gone by and our heroes are more hardened than before. The last time we had a pretty big time jump like this, with out flash backs it was hard to know what had happened in between. All we need to know is that our heroes have become hardened more than ever. Even to the point that they're settled with never leaving the planet. But after 2 years an opportunity arises and how ever skeptical they might be they take it.
What this book does compared to the rest before it is finally show us the perspective of the people back on earth. The parents and family who lost their kids. The effective it has is real. I mean as real as as ya know anything like a school disappearing in thin air can be. Through out reading this series I haven't really thought that I had to see this but I did always wonder of corse. Here we finally see it and if it were anywhere else, even through out the series it definitely would have slowed the story down seeing Earth's perspective. Its perfect how it finally been visited.
I anyone ever wondered when we'd see the parent's side of all this I'm still wondering when we'll see more of the teachers. This is a whole school were talking about. Its been forever since we've seen a teacher! The flow of everything works of corse but really though in-between books I always wonder when we'll see a teacher.I feel like people would roll their eyes to find out that its all these kids running everything but this is a teen book. I know what I was getting myself into. I didn't know how blown away by everything I'd be though. Thats whats been so great about these books, how ever unrealistic it all may be, the characters are. Makes everything else melt away.
I can't wait to start the next book. But I'm coming to the end and I am not looking forward to that at all.
March 4, 2019
This volume jumps forward a year, which was helpful because it reintroduced its main characters while setting up their new circumstances. It also starts unraveling the secrets of the world, as our cadre of protagonists strive to discover why the world has been selecting and collecting people. There are some unexpected deaths, which has always been true of this series, but death doesn't necessarily mean removal from the plot. This also takes the story back to Earth, to see what's happening to those left behind - the parents who have been grappling with the loss for years. And the stories manage to collide in an unexpected way.
This is a pretty strong volume for the series, redefining the playing field and moving players into the needed locations for the final arcs. The art is as distinctive as always, with its beautiful green and purple palette. While the story itself doesn't move a whole lot, and the central story seems to be ultimately unimportant, it's an important piece to building the finish.
This is a pretty strong volume for the series, redefining the playing field and moving players into the needed locations for the final arcs. The art is as distinctive as always, with its beautiful green and purple palette. While the story itself doesn't move a whole lot, and the central story seems to be ultimately unimportant, it's an important piece to building the finish.
November 9, 2019
Twists and turns, new characters, plot threads advanced... fun stuff. This series is turning into a outright favorite of mine. I’m really enjoying it.
July 10, 2022
It feels like this series is finally picking up steam. I think this was the first volume in a while where I wanted to see where the story went, instead of just plodding on to the next book. This volume features another time jump, but this one didn't feel as jarring. Not sure why, but the artwork seemed tighter here. I appreciated it.
December 14, 2017
I have a bit of a love/hate with this one. Supposedly volume 9 is the end of the series, so I can see they're trying to wrap things up. I did REALLY like that they actually had the parents in this one, and went into a bit about how they're coping or not coping. I always wondered what would have happened if a school just up and vanished without explanation, how the people left behind would react.
But it also felt like the main action of finally getting to the Black City was rushed. Like the past two volumes were spaced out more than need be to have this one squished with content, actually needing content removed to stay within page count. It needed more depth and time, especially for Isaac's character development. He's been away from the group for a year and a lot has happened, but he can't just verbally sum up what he's been doing that whole time. It didn't feel like Isaac to me. Arguably it's not anymore, but it technically still is, so... I don't know. The characters didn't feel as authentic to themselves as they should.
But it also felt like the main action of finally getting to the Black City was rushed. Like the past two volumes were spaced out more than need be to have this one squished with content, actually needing content removed to stay within page count. It needed more depth and time, especially for Isaac's character development. He's been away from the group for a year and a lot has happened, but he can't just verbally sum up what he's been doing that whole time. It didn't feel like Isaac to me. Arguably it's not anymore, but it technically still is, so... I don't know. The characters didn't feel as authentic to themselves as they should.
May 30, 2021
I feel kind of bad that I never though of this prior to reading this volume - what about the parents of the students? What the fudge have they been thinking and feeling since their children's high school literally disappeared into thin air, with their babies inside? Seems like something I should have thought about given that it always crosses my mind in other forms of media, but perhaps something in the written format distracts the reader unless the writer takes them to those left behind.
The story finally gets moving with an explanation for what the fudge is going on with the big reveal that . Some characters not visited in a while will play a key role in the big reveal.
Definitely a big improvement from the previous few volumes. This is a good series but the pacing is off and it has too many tangents.
February 24, 2023
This one brings in the survivors back home. It does a decent job of giving a few grief reactions. I feel as if there was a lot more to mine here that would be illuminating to a number of different audiences. As written, I feel as if it is given short shrift and more as a plot point.
As far as it goes, this pays off. There is a great cliffhanger at the end of this arc. Reading it as a single issue series would provide a series of payoffs at the end of each issue. There is definitely some good pacing and cinematic tricks in the layouts. The page turns are excellent at times. There are deep breaths taken. Sometimes, it feels a little too dramatic and has Spielberg effect. I am one that doesn't care for that part of emotional manipulation. There is more than enough small moments that pay off that these big ones feel a little too much.
As far as it goes, this pays off. There is a great cliffhanger at the end of this arc. Reading it as a single issue series would provide a series of payoffs at the end of each issue. There is definitely some good pacing and cinematic tricks in the layouts. The page turns are excellent at times. There are deep breaths taken. Sometimes, it feels a little too dramatic and has Spielberg effect. I am one that doesn't care for that part of emotional manipulation. There is more than enough small moments that pay off that these big ones feel a little too much.
June 15, 2019
Alright, we're coming up on the finale. You can see the story is starting to wrap up as more questions are answered. Well, answered-ish. We get to see the impact the school's vanishing had on earth, which was nice although tbh, it wasn't my favorite part of the story. Just as done previously, there was a big jump between this volume and the previous one. The characters seemed more settled into their new life and the new civilization they built, and tbh, this was the point where I was thinking: hey, would it be so bad if they stayed?! You can read my full review on my blog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews