Part five! In the dark hills of West Virginia a power is growing. Dr. Ishmael Stone and his crew go to investigate the series of killings that have been occurring within and around the mines of the small town. There they find a fading community searching for life and the sad, angry Lloyd Canby. Stone begins to realize he is dealing with more than the normal case.
"It's also right around then that we noticed the numbers spiking. We tag several specimens every year, of course, to track their movements. Grey wolves, Dr. Stone. Their numbers surged in the area within a week. I've never seen anything like it. At night, the hills were black with them. They made their way into fish village. All of them. As though they were drawn there. And then this. This terrible thing. We assume you'll want to leave right away."
Dr. Ishmael Stone is a detective, a monster hunter, and a philosopher. His team comprised of his half-ghost/half-witch daughter Amara Stone, master of mystic weapons Wilbur Branch, mysterious monster detector Blind Jack, and smooth-talking mentalist Martin Priest.
This is a full flashback issue, detailing Dr. Stone travelling alone to a remote Alaskan Wildlife Management Outpost where strange goings on have the locals on edge. He must battle possessed children but is reluctant to fight back. However, an ally comes from an unexpected source and we find out how one of the team joined up with Stone.
A more rounded issue with a self contained story. 3 1/2 stars
Arcana comics freebie. Suitable for teens and adults. Good color artwork. The millers borrow from others. But do it well. Each book feels like it should be a few pages longer.