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Outcast #7
Outcast, Vol. 7: The Darkness Grows
At long last, Simon's story is told.
Collects OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #37-42.
Collects OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #37-42.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2019
3 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,523 books7,021 followersRobert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 8, 2020
I've waited quite a while for this one to come out, and to be very honest, it's not worth it.
You do finally get Simon's backstory. YAY!
But the rest of the comic is just the same annoying mystery-speak between the demon/alien/other-dimensional beings about who/what/where/why/how they came to start hopping into people's bodies.
There's really nothing here that moves the plot forward in any real way.
I also had the same issue with trying ot tell these characters apart. There are a lot of them that look obnoxiously alike. Kyle and his father are basically interchangeable - to the point that I thought the first issue was about Kyle doing some walkabout, only to find out it was Simon.
I'm not a fan.
There's a new villain.
But instead of being excited about the newest baddie, I just inwardly groaned that this was one more thing thrown in as filler to keep this title floating along without really telling us anything worthwhile.
I used to gobble these up as soon as I got my hands on them, but the charm has worn thin and I found myself uninterested in even opening it up right away. In fact, I waited until it was almost due back to the library and then finally made myself get on with it.
Thing is, I want to find out what happens.
But at the same time, I'm going to be completely pissed if the ending turns out to be one of those vague Oh, they went back to wherever they came from, draw your own conclusions as to what they were to start with kind of conclusions.
I'm really on the fence about continuing.
You do finally get Simon's backstory. YAY!
But the rest of the comic is just the same annoying mystery-speak between the demon/alien/other-dimensional beings about who/what/where/why/how they came to start hopping into people's bodies.
There's really nothing here that moves the plot forward in any real way.
I also had the same issue with trying ot tell these characters apart. There are a lot of them that look obnoxiously alike. Kyle and his father are basically interchangeable - to the point that I thought the first issue was about Kyle doing some walkabout, only to find out it was Simon.
I'm not a fan.
There's a new villain.
But instead of being excited about the newest baddie, I just inwardly groaned that this was one more thing thrown in as filler to keep this title floating along without really telling us anything worthwhile.
I used to gobble these up as soon as I got my hands on them, but the charm has worn thin and I found myself uninterested in even opening it up right away. In fact, I waited until it was almost due back to the library and then finally made myself get on with it.
Thing is, I want to find out what happens.
But at the same time, I'm going to be completely pissed if the ending turns out to be one of those vague Oh, they went back to wherever they came from, draw your own conclusions as to what they were to start with kind of conclusions.
I'm really on the fence about continuing.
December 10, 2020
Kirkman is really milking the series at this point. Nothing much happens in this volume. Lot of vague, obtuse references to shit we still don't know about. Lots of people grimacing or grinning maniacally. Kirkman's juggling way too large a cast, especially too large for Azaceta's artistic talents. Half the characters look the same. I'm having a real hard time keeping the story straight in my head. That being said, I'm still looking forward to how this unfolds. I just hope it unfolds soon.
October 3, 2019
“Is this the Great Merge?”—Kyle
Nope! Not yet! (Did you not see the pre-Big Wrap-Up-subtitle: The Darkness Grows??!)
After waiting more than a year from Robert Kirkman for volume eight of this series, after having left volume seven dissatisfied at the slow pace we were approaching “The Great Merge,” we end volume eight at almost the very same place, with things slowing things down even more with backstory about Kyle’s father Simon and his own history with demon-battling. So, yeah, the promised eight volume series is either going to come to a crashing halt very quickly, in one volume, or we are going to Slow Walk the Apocalypse (as in Walking Dead) a few volumes more.
In volume eight, the Outcast Commune builds strength and the Demons also build strength, and almost nothing new really happens until the slam bam finish involving mass demon possession and a little something surprisingly and satisfyingly dramatic involving little girl Amber and a lot of either dead or unconscious bodies.
I liked the opening of this series and have always appreciated Paul Azaceta’s dark, brooding artwork in it. And I love, as always, Elizabeth Breitweiser’s color work, raising this series a level above any every day comics fare. So the look is great. And I liked the first half of the series, but it began to spin its wheels, repeating itself. I will, however, read on, hoping for something surprising beyond just the inevitable The Outcasts Defeat the Powers of Darkness ending. But it’s still better than average fare, with that big Amber finish promising more action.
Nope! Not yet! (Did you not see the pre-Big Wrap-Up-subtitle: The Darkness Grows??!)
After waiting more than a year from Robert Kirkman for volume eight of this series, after having left volume seven dissatisfied at the slow pace we were approaching “The Great Merge,” we end volume eight at almost the very same place, with things slowing things down even more with backstory about Kyle’s father Simon and his own history with demon-battling. So, yeah, the promised eight volume series is either going to come to a crashing halt very quickly, in one volume, or we are going to Slow Walk the Apocalypse (as in Walking Dead) a few volumes more.
In volume eight, the Outcast Commune builds strength and the Demons also build strength, and almost nothing new really happens until the slam bam finish involving mass demon possession and a little something surprisingly and satisfyingly dramatic involving little girl Amber and a lot of either dead or unconscious bodies.
I liked the opening of this series and have always appreciated Paul Azaceta’s dark, brooding artwork in it. And I love, as always, Elizabeth Breitweiser’s color work, raising this series a level above any every day comics fare. So the look is great. And I liked the first half of the series, but it began to spin its wheels, repeating itself. I will, however, read on, hoping for something surprising beyond just the inevitable The Outcasts Defeat the Powers of Darkness ending. But it’s still better than average fare, with that big Amber finish promising more action.
September 30, 2019
Well, I just caught up on Outcast, it’s officially Halloween now!
What’s it about?
Shit gets crazier than ever with the demons after the main group of characters.
Why it gets 5 stars:
The story is getting more interesting now and that’s saying something considering how much I was into the story before.
The art in this series is always perfect! Azaceta and Breitweiser make such a fantastic team and their styles suit each other so much.
The characters are pretty interesting and well written.
There’s some pretty bad-ass, intense action in this volume! Especially in the final scene, holy shit!
This volume is very suspenseful and unpredictable.
The horror stuff is pretty cool this time ‘round.
The first scene of this volume gives a little more background on Kyle’s past and I really liked it.
The ending... holy fuck, that ending! Yeah, I need volume 8 now!
Overall:
This volume is so fucking awesome!
After a couple of good but not quite great volumes, the team behind this book made Outcast great again!
Interesting story, fantastic artwork, bad-ass action, lots of suspense, horror and more!
I can’t wait ‘til volume 8 comes out, I’m motherfuckin’ hyped now!
Read this series!
5/5
What’s it about?
Shit gets crazier than ever with the demons after the main group of characters.
Why it gets 5 stars:
The story is getting more interesting now and that’s saying something considering how much I was into the story before.
The art in this series is always perfect! Azaceta and Breitweiser make such a fantastic team and their styles suit each other so much.
The characters are pretty interesting and well written.
There’s some pretty bad-ass, intense action in this volume! Especially in the final scene, holy shit!
This volume is very suspenseful and unpredictable.
The horror stuff is pretty cool this time ‘round.
The first scene of this volume gives a little more background on Kyle’s past and I really liked it.
The ending... holy fuck, that ending! Yeah, I need volume 8 now!
Overall:
This volume is so fucking awesome!
After a couple of good but not quite great volumes, the team behind this book made Outcast great again!
Interesting story, fantastic artwork, bad-ass action, lots of suspense, horror and more!
I can’t wait ‘til volume 8 comes out, I’m motherfuckin’ hyped now!
Read this series!
5/5
October 19, 2019
My years-long tradition continues as I read yet another new volume of Outcast during October, the spooky season. This comic is like a little treat for me, and I always enjoy it. Yeah, I know that I am very much in the minority here, but I can’t help it — I just really like the atmosphere and the art, and while the story has come a long way from those small town buddy cop exorcisms of early days (which I enjoyed a lot), I am still intrigued by what’s going on with the mythology and characters enough to stick around till the end. I can’t wait to pick up the all-but-confirmed compendium collecting the entire series so that I could revisit this gloomy story every October as I please.
July 3, 2024
I started reading Outcast in 2016 but was losing interest in it and wandered away after reading Vol. 6 in 2018. But my local library has just added the last two volumes so I'm here to see how it concluded.
My strongest memory of this series is that exorcisms are performed by beating the crap out of the possessed people. In recent issues, some people now can zap out demons with power jolts from their hands, and they've holed up in a compound while government authorities and the demonically possessed close in.
The book starts off with a fairly unnecessary flashback to the early life of the main hero's father before bringing us back to the siege. It's not much of a siege as demons infiltrate the compound with new possessions and other people wander in and out, but it's the only siege we've got, so we're sticking with it.
Thankfully, the next volume should put an end to this floundering series, and I have it on hand from the library for tomorrow's walk.
My strongest memory of this series is that exorcisms are performed by beating the crap out of the possessed people. In recent issues, some people now can zap out demons with power jolts from their hands, and they've holed up in a compound while government authorities and the demonically possessed close in.
The book starts off with a fairly unnecessary flashback to the early life of the main hero's father before bringing us back to the siege. It's not much of a siege as demons infiltrate the compound with new possessions and other people wander in and out, but it's the only siege we've got, so we're sticking with it.
Thankfully, the next volume should put an end to this floundering series, and I have it on hand from the library for tomorrow's walk.
September 8, 2021
This was pretty good.
We get the backstory of how Simon and Sarah met and like his origin and how he left and became this outcast warrior and meeting Nikki and Darius (we were introduced to them in the end of last volume) and then getting to see in the present how the demons are making their plans while the outcasts assemble and Kyle deal with this new powers and like some breakouts in the camp and him exercising new power and when things go from 0 to 100 in the last pages we see the ultimate power and maybe something big for Amber and Allison..something new!
The end is almost here and I love how Kirkman takes time to slow things down and give some characters moments to remember by ad continues to build up mysteries atop more and its heading for a final confrontation and I love how Rowland is progressing as a character and also seeing his motives. Angelica remains mysterious but it maybe intentional on the writers part plus there are underlying themes of "stronger together" which I like. Subtle messages to real world chaos could be seen here too and its cool the way Kirkman writes it.
We get the backstory of how Simon and Sarah met and like his origin and how he left and became this outcast warrior and meeting Nikki and Darius (we were introduced to them in the end of last volume) and then getting to see in the present how the demons are making their plans while the outcasts assemble and Kyle deal with this new powers and like some breakouts in the camp and him exercising new power and when things go from 0 to 100 in the last pages we see the ultimate power and maybe something big for Amber and Allison..something new!
The end is almost here and I love how Kirkman takes time to slow things down and give some characters moments to remember by ad continues to build up mysteries atop more and its heading for a final confrontation and I love how Rowland is progressing as a character and also seeing his motives. Angelica remains mysterious but it maybe intentional on the writers part plus there are underlying themes of "stronger together" which I like. Subtle messages to real world chaos could be seen here too and its cool the way Kirkman writes it.
March 20, 2020
If it ends in a volume or two, a good installment. If the series drags on then it will be reevaluated as a mere placeholder.
November 27, 2021
Probably been waiting for too long to close this series. Barely remember who’s who and can’t even remember if I ever cared. Too many innuendoes, too many people smiling sardonically for whatever reason... Let them merge so we can call it a day! Next volume is last at least.
Azaceta’s getting sloppy but Breitweiser still uses a beautiful color chart. There’s still that for the eyes...
Azaceta’s getting sloppy but Breitweiser still uses a beautiful color chart. There’s still that for the eyes...
February 4, 2020
Bullet Review:
Remembering where I was in the story was the trickiest part. Reading Simon's backstory and realizing how ultimately pointless and boring (and a waste of time) it all was made me a bit disappointed. But it ultimately picked back up a bit, as more Outcasts converge on Kyle Barnes' impromptu commune and things ramp up for the Big Showdown.
Let's hope this Showdown happens sooner rather than later.
Remembering where I was in the story was the trickiest part. Reading Simon's backstory and realizing how ultimately pointless and boring (and a waste of time) it all was made me a bit disappointed. But it ultimately picked back up a bit, as more Outcasts converge on Kyle Barnes' impromptu commune and things ramp up for the Big Showdown.
Let's hope this Showdown happens sooner rather than later.
March 6, 2023
Re-read: Nechápem, jak som mohla frflat pri prvom čítaní na toto volume, keď je fakt skvelé.
May 15, 2022
(Zero spoiler review for the deluxe edition this volume collects) 2.5/5
There is probably little need to keep this as a zero spoiler affair, as anyone looking for advice on whether to start this series or not isn't going to go all the way to book four to see whether Kirkman shat the bed or not. It's far more likely that people who read the story would like to see what others thought of it. That being said, I didn't think much of this at all, and that's being kind. This series was a blind buy for me, and I really fell for its small town narrative, supernatural/horror thriller. The slow burn mystery about Kyle, the priest and the estrangement from his family, not to mention his mother. It really sucked me in to the world Kirkman had created. There was nothing extraordinary going on. It was just a good story, being told pretty well, with some well suited art. This enjoyment continued all the way through book two, although the shift in tone from a a tense, near claustrophobic tale into some bland, gotta save the world nonsense was precisely what Kirkman should NOT have done with this. My interest and enjoyment nosedived throughout book 3 and has since flatlined in book 4. Everything that made this series special has been gutted from this book, with its limp, awful replacement seriously tarnishing my initial enjoyment for it. I have often lamented when great little stories inevitably go all big and bold at the finale. There is a right way to do this, and this certainly isn't it. No more characterisation. No more small time moments. No more atmosphere. Any sense of tension has been castigated for plot conveniences and contrivances that had me shaking my head with every page, asking why an accomplished comics writer would head in such an unappealing direction. The whole thing feels rushed, with far less care put into crafting it as the first half of the arc. This is a textbook example of how to wreck your series. I am genuinely mystified that Kirkman would think this was acceptable. This isn't about the ending itself, as bland as it is. This is all in the execution. I'm sure Kirkman could have executed this far more competently if he gave a shit. If in the years to come I reread this series, I will be stopping halfway through. Azaceta does his best, although is muted with the lack of horror. His art was neve dripping in detail. What he was able to do was really ramp up those small, scary moments with his illustrations. Needless to say, there is precious little of that here. How sad. A generous 2.5/5
OmniBen.
There is probably little need to keep this as a zero spoiler affair, as anyone looking for advice on whether to start this series or not isn't going to go all the way to book four to see whether Kirkman shat the bed or not. It's far more likely that people who read the story would like to see what others thought of it. That being said, I didn't think much of this at all, and that's being kind. This series was a blind buy for me, and I really fell for its small town narrative, supernatural/horror thriller. The slow burn mystery about Kyle, the priest and the estrangement from his family, not to mention his mother. It really sucked me in to the world Kirkman had created. There was nothing extraordinary going on. It was just a good story, being told pretty well, with some well suited art. This enjoyment continued all the way through book two, although the shift in tone from a a tense, near claustrophobic tale into some bland, gotta save the world nonsense was precisely what Kirkman should NOT have done with this. My interest and enjoyment nosedived throughout book 3 and has since flatlined in book 4. Everything that made this series special has been gutted from this book, with its limp, awful replacement seriously tarnishing my initial enjoyment for it. I have often lamented when great little stories inevitably go all big and bold at the finale. There is a right way to do this, and this certainly isn't it. No more characterisation. No more small time moments. No more atmosphere. Any sense of tension has been castigated for plot conveniences and contrivances that had me shaking my head with every page, asking why an accomplished comics writer would head in such an unappealing direction. The whole thing feels rushed, with far less care put into crafting it as the first half of the arc. This is a textbook example of how to wreck your series. I am genuinely mystified that Kirkman would think this was acceptable. This isn't about the ending itself, as bland as it is. This is all in the execution. I'm sure Kirkman could have executed this far more competently if he gave a shit. If in the years to come I reread this series, I will be stopping halfway through. Azaceta does his best, although is muted with the lack of horror. His art was neve dripping in detail. What he was able to do was really ramp up those small, scary moments with his illustrations. Needless to say, there is precious little of that here. How sad. A generous 2.5/5
OmniBen.
September 30, 2019
The Merge is imminent. The growing Outcast community prepares for battle but doesn't really know what to expect, or when, or even what form a win would take.
I really do love the illustration, and big points to the artist for figuring out how to do a jump scare in a graphic novel. Best experiential moment of the series.
But there's not a lot of meat here, too many pages are just spreads of people grimacing in fistfights. I sailed through without much thought or investment. In spite of how things are coming to a head, the volume lacks punch.
Plot points:
I really do love the illustration, and big points to the artist for figuring out how to do a jump scare in a graphic novel. Best experiential moment of the series.
But there's not a lot of meat here, too many pages are just spreads of people grimacing in fistfights. I sailed through without much thought or investment. In spite of how things are coming to a head, the volume lacks punch.
Plot points:
December 17, 2019
Outcast's slow-burn tumble towards the apocalypse continues apace, though affairs certainly seem to have clicked into place for a final showdown by the conclusion of this volume. Other outcasts have been drawn to Kyle's powers just as a sleek, new villainess arrives in town to take control of the evil cabal.
There's plenty of wheel-spinning, but it's well-written, finely art'd, and just propulsive enough to keep my attention. Hard to find anything to truly dislike in Outcast at this point, aside from the fact that I am 100% going to forget that cliffhanger ending by the time I pick up the eighth volume.
(Note to self: )
There's plenty of wheel-spinning, but it's well-written, finely art'd, and just propulsive enough to keep my attention. Hard to find anything to truly dislike in Outcast at this point, aside from the fact that I am 100% going to forget that cliffhanger ending by the time I pick up the eighth volume.
(Note to self: )
October 24, 2021
I like the story and the art, I want it to be 4 stars, but I feel like we're treading water a bit. And after 7 volumes I'm still not sure how or when people become posessed. It seems almost random -- in other words, timed to suit the plot.
Are there non-posessed people who are in league with the baddies? I have gotten that impression, but I have no idea what would motivate someone to do that.
Are there non-posessed people who are in league with the baddies? I have gotten that impression, but I have no idea what would motivate someone to do that.
October 3, 2019
Simon's origin was so-so but that ending...sheeeitttt. Can't wait to see how this ends!
March 31, 2021
Things are heating up in this creepy series. This might not be Kirkman's strongest work but it does have much to recommend it, IMO,
and I love these visual artists' work.
and I love these visual artists' work.
October 27, 2022
Well shit...new powers? Nice.
October 28, 2023
Outcast Vol. 7: The Darkness Grows collects issues 37-42 of the Image Comics series written by Robert Kirkman with art by Paul Azaceta.
Outcasts from far and wide can feel the power growing in Rome, West Virginia. Sensing something major is about to happen, they make the trip to meet up with Kyle’s growing army. Meanwhile, the Merged are pulling together their own forces to complete the Great Merge
The penultimate volume starts arranging the sides for what appears to be the final battle. New powers are unlocked as more Outcasts are together than ever before. I’m really looking forward to finishing this last volume!
Outcasts from far and wide can feel the power growing in Rome, West Virginia. Sensing something major is about to happen, they make the trip to meet up with Kyle’s growing army. Meanwhile, the Merged are pulling together their own forces to complete the Great Merge
The penultimate volume starts arranging the sides for what appears to be the final battle. New powers are unlocked as more Outcasts are together than ever before. I’m really looking forward to finishing this last volume!
March 8, 2020
I mean...it wasn't the worst.
Simon's backstory and the last few pages were the best parts, which isn't actually saying as much as it sounds like it is.
3-Ready-For-This-To-End-Anytime-Now Stars
Simon's backstory and the last few pages were the best parts, which isn't actually saying as much as it sounds like it is.
3-Ready-For-This-To-End-Anytime-Now Stars
April 30, 2025
For the penultimate volume this felt a little bland. The final pages were great but everything leading up to it felt more like filler because it really didn't answer any questions or provide any insight. I really hope that this wraps up neatly because overall, I have really enjoyed this story.
November 16, 2019
I'm reaching that "point-of-no-return" in most of my series lately...and this seems to be no exception. Not sure how much road there is left to go...
December 6, 2019
Nice look into Simon's backstory, while still advancing the plot.
May 11, 2021
The Great Merge is coming. Interesting new powers appear.
April 2, 2021
Great volume. Looking forward to the finale!
January 9, 2020
Not much here. We get a sprinkling of backstory and then we seem to inch forward in the story a tiny bit. Seems like the next volume will be the last but the series may have already outlasted its welcome.
September 11, 2019
I love it... the end of this volume is spine tinglingly epic and I just don’t know how long we now have to wait for the next one!
January 15, 2019
I can see where this is going. Worried it will get boring.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews