Harrow County: Volume 3

Harrow County #5-6

by Cullen Bunn, Tyler Crook (illustrator)

While Emmy has been focused on dealing with supernatural threats from the outside world, a much bigger problem has been brewing at home.

Collects the volumes five and six of Harrow County in a deluxe, hardcover, and oversized format with a new cover, sketchbook material, essays, and "Tales from Harrow County" bonus stories by guest creators, and more!

Collects Harrow County issues #17-#24

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Gothic, Supernatural

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 9, 2018

About the author

Cullen grew up in rural North Carolina, but now lives in the St. Louis area with his wife Cindy and his son Jackson. His noir/horror comic (and first collaboration with Brian Hurtt), The Damned, was published in 2007 by Oni Press. The follow-up, The Damned: Prodigal Sons, was released in 2008. In addition to The Sixth Gun, his current projects include Crooked Hills, a middle reader horror prose series from Evileye Books; The Tooth, an original graphic novel from Oni Press; and various work for Marvel and DC. Somewhere along the way, Cullen founded Undaunted Press and edited the critically acclaimed small press horror magazine, Whispers from the Shattered Forum.

All writers must pay their dues, and Cullen has worked various odd jobs, including Alien Autopsy Specialist, Rodeo Clown, Professional Wrestler Manager, and Sasquatch Wrangler.

And, yes, he has fought for his life against mountain lions and he did perform on stage as the World's Youngest Hypnotist. Buy him a drink sometime, and he'll tell you all about it.

Visit his website at www.cullenbunn.com.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like horror comics, you really need to check out this series. Bunn and Crook have created a fantastically creepy rural horror that works on every level. Crook's art is quirky but once he adds his watercolors, you can feel the dirt and grit of the dusty roads on the page. It gives the book an old timey used look as if it was left in an old barn and recently discovered long after the events of Harrow County happened.

Received a review copy from Dark Horse and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collecting #17 to #24 in which we learn a lot more about Emmy's kin, Beck's past deeds, that monster in the woods the African Americans Lady Lovey and Bernice.The book remains creepy, but not scary. The exposition continues to be mostly people relating stories to one another and the darkness is never that dark. 6 out of 12, barely.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The creators dive even deeper this time around into the world-building of the history of the haints and the beings hovering around Harrow County. This material got a bit boring and tedious for me but is necessary for learning the town's history. It's basically a big exposition dump. But when the book moves on to the present-day material, the story picks up again as we discover what role Emmy's friend Bernice will play in the brewing conflict. This story as a whole is still a work of art but this 3rd book is not as enjoyable and consistent as the first two.

[Siona Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great addition to the series. Again, can’t believe this is supposed to wrap up in one more volume (even if it is 8 issues worth). Really love how much this added to the over all story. However I will say I wish there had been more to the Bernice/Emmy dynamic in this volume. But with so little time left, I get why it was as short as it was.

Would totally recommend this series!

[Maksym Karpovets · Rating 3 out of 5]

На разі найслабший том, який більш працює над розширенням світу, аніж над рухом історії. Банн повністю полишає конфлікт Еммі та сім'ї, більше зосереджуючись на взаєминах із Берніс, подругою і водночас наступницею місцевою чаклунки. Виходить, що тепер ми маємо дві молоді відьми, які намагаються з'ясувати, хто з них краще має оберігати Героу від усілякої нечисті (так, це саме добрі відьми або швидше ті, що за ієрархією ближче до порядку, аніж хаосу). Виявляється, що Берніс має дещо інше етичне розуміння природи добра й зла, тому протистояння із Еммі відбувається радше у ціннісній площині, хоча й триватиме недовго.

Історія Банна у жодному разі не втратила своєї атмосферності й містичності, але мені вкрай бракнуло динаміки, тому читати було дещо нудно. Якщо підсумувати, то за дві арки майже нічого не сталось, хоча й без вражаючого відкриття теж не обійтись. Мені подобається Берніс, її особиста історія, але це підійде для окремої спін-оффної історії, адже ми чекаємо як же вирішиться протистояння Еммі з "членами" її сім'ї. Сподіваюсь, що останній том буде більш динамічним і нарешті просуне сюжет до його логічного й непередбачуваного фіналу. Банн, не підведи!

[Timothy Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The painterly art by Tyler Crook continues to astonish me. The story overall left me a little unsatisfied. Emmy's friend Bernice is pitted against her for reasons that feel incredibly hollow. It didn't engage me like the first two volumes did and I felt a little frustrated that Bernice was so easily manipulated.


Even with that minor criticism this book is still leagues ahead of most other comics. Seriously, try it, even if it's one issue on comixology. It's a good time.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three of Harrow County continues the adventures of Emmy, a young witch who's somewhat unwillingly taken up the mantle of her evil predecessor, but determined not to be evil. Despite helping people, she's a witch, so no one really trusts her and even when people are nice to her, she's realizing it's mostly because they're afraid of her.

But they still ask for her help, and here she has to deal with a very creepy haunted house, which wouldn't sound like such a big deal, but the story actually puts a pretty scary spin on it.

Meanwhile, Bernice, whom we've been promised would get a spotlight of her own, is becoming a more significant character. Chasing down the uncle of her young friend, who's been lured into the swamps by another witchy woman who scares the locals, she learns that she may have a calling of her own.

This title continues to evoke a nice Southern gothic vibe with its ghost stories and haints, illustrated with watercolors (except for a few issues with a substitute artist whose style didn't really appeal to me).

[Koen Claeys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This remains a unique, charming horror comic. Cullen Bunn has created something special with the invaluable help of the atmospheric artwork by Tyler Crook.

[Soteralzobooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of the “Sandman”-style world building with the witch counsel, but everything else is still great.

[Omnibuster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry County keeps getting stranger and better because while the story is about Emmy, the richness of the story comes from all the characters and creatures that know more about her history than she does. Who doesn't love a healthy dose of dramatic irony?

More history of the "family" is revealed, the true nature of specific haints comes to light, Hester's real origin is a twist, haints are being hunted by outsiders, Emmy's connection to the past may not be what we've thought, and she has to face an unlikely adversary all while making a choice to use one of her gifts for the first time.

Vol. 3 is also chocked full of special features: sketchbook, cover gallery, commentary, painting process, bestiary, Tales of Harrow County, and essay.

The final volume is being released next week and I hope it starts right after Vol. 3's cliffhanger ending, goes full blast, and leaves me satisfied yet wanting more from this world.

[Lizzy Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Monster Librarian forthcoming.

[Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is still so pleasant, even for a book about monsters and "haints." I really enjoy it. There was a bit of a jumpscare, but overall I don't think the series is too scary. The main conflict between Emmy and Bernice in this volume was interesting to me. It also goes into some of lore of Harrow County, with backstory for Malachi and some of the other supernatural beings like Emmy. That was a bit less interesting to me. I like the issues that are focused on Emmy, solving problems in Harrow County.
Plot summary: We learn that Ol' Buck is actually the reincarnation of Malachi, the original supernatural guy. And Emmy is the reincarnation of Amaryllis. It turns out Kammi, Emmy's evil twin, is actually the reincarnation of the evil witch Hester. Some hunters from outside the county are influenced to hunt Ol' Buck by an evil doll. Emmy isn't able to stop them from being killed, but she brings them back to life and sends them on their way. Bernice tries to protect the county from Emmy, and they argue. Then Old Lady Lovey dies, so Bernice suspects Emmy and tries to capture her.
Lovey's ghost comes back and tells them that they have something much worse to worry about.
Emmy and Bernice agree to work together. I'm looking forward to reading the next one. Tyler Crook's watercolor artwork is unparalleled.

[Iva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Схоже, згодом заковтну серію повністю.

Самому дивно, що я таке кажу, бо зазвичай все зовсім протилежно, але. Схоже, що я б краще волів дивитися серіал із якимись "монстрами тижня" за мотивами "Земства Гарроу", аніж спостерігати за розвитком цієї глобалки. Із чогось містячкового та дійсно стрьомного вона переростає у забавки із божественим початком, творінням та надмірною (сказав би біблейною, але тут скоріше язичництво) пафосністю у оріджинах.

Сили розставлені, всі повоскресали/повмирали/з’ясували ступені маго-генетичного родства між собою, тож у заключному двотомнику на нас очікує махач. І я ніколи не пробачу Бунну, якщо цей махач буде на кігтях та кулаках замість проклять та метафізичних подлянок.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly shocking but fantastic cliffhanger, although I knew it was inevitable but to see it before my eyes was truly haunting. Harrow County always brings the creepiness, but this issue has a dark and fascinating ending that promises things are only going to get darker. I love the dialogue in this book, the characters' manner of speech; it seems to transport the reader to a different time, which adds a lot to the atmosphere. Harrow County is one of the most haunting comics to come out in a while, and horror fans should not miss it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this story but the next volume is only available digitally from the library and while I can read it that way, my preference is a paper copy.

This is a pretty good horror series in graphic novel format. Interesting characters and creatures. It took me a while to get through this one because I haven’t had as much time read physical books. When I do read it’s usually at night on my kindle app.

[Sohan Surag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is oh so delicious that you can read it all in one sitting. Yumm is the word with some eerie tones, superb characters, rivetting story and some frog legs and snake heads thrown in (the cauldron). If you like horror (psst...it ain't that scary) you owe yourself to read this one. Cullen Bunn & Tyler Crook, you're amazing! Thank you for this one

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My problem with these two arcs are that while the history of Emmy’s family is interesting beyond imagining the bad art takes away too much. I almost wish Tyler Crook had redone any issues that had guest artists for the library editions. I seriously hate the art. Also the whole Bernice story lacks focus but I think that is on purpose so you don’t see Emmy’s family meddling.

[The Smoog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding book in the folk horror comic series. There is a lot more of the history and background explored here, and it just makes the whole setting even more fascinating. I would have liked a little more exploration on the origin of some of the Haints, but I’m not really sure how that could have been incorporated into the story.

[HowardtheDuck95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re getting it in this format and have read this far, you know *exactly* how awesome this series is. This volume continues that awesomeness. Beautiful and haunting, both in art and writing. More secrets revealed, more tension added. I can’t wait to see how it finishes in volume 4.

[Al Capwned · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume we get a huge amount of exposition about some characters and the general past of Harrow County and I have to admit that not all of this exposition worked well for me but Harrow County is still one of the best modern comic series.

[Η Cultσα · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η λύση στο τέλος δίνεται πολύ εύκολα, αλλά δεν μπορώ να κρατήσω κακία σε αυτό το κατά άλλα αριστουργηματικό κόμικ. Ειδικά η Library Edition έχει και ένα σωρό εξτραδάκια που αφορούν τη δημιουργία του σεναρίου, του σχεδίου και ένα κάρο άλλα πράγματα.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

What a great series. Things keep twisting and turning and the story never gets stale. Some comic series tend to spin their wheels at times, but for the most part this one has been a steady ride. Great art and a great story, very unique.

Can't wait to see how the ride ends up.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three volumes in now and I utterly love this series. It's got great characters and super cool, backwoods, horror vibes. It's starting to rival the Sixth Gun for me as one of my favorite things Cullen Bunn has ever written. And the art is stellar too

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much!

If you like gothic horror with a southern flair to it with dark creepy artwork, then this graphic novel series is definitely for you.

[Ronny Trøjborg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ting eskalere, kraftfulde fjender dukker op

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

DPL hoopla

[Manu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrow county continues being great as ever.

[Zachary Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story picks up in volume 3 with some twists, a decent amount of back story and strong progression that should make for hopefully a satisfying conclusion in volume 4.

[Amethyst · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite from the series so far! can't wait to read volume 4