Advance Review: Harker: The Black Hound Part Two
From Time Bomb Comics
I detailed the release coming soon of the second part of this murder mystery from Time Bomb Comics, and here are some thoughts on Harker: The Black Hound Part Two.
DCI Harker is enjoying a holiday in Whitby, and the last thing he wants is to be drawn into solving a murder. So when a famous novelist is killed right in front of him, he decides he's a suspect and relaxes on the dodgems. DS Critchley, however, needs his help, especially when another body washes in with the tide. Could Harker really be the murderer? He's certainly grumpy enough…
DCI Harker and DS Critchley make an excellent combination. I really enjoy the back-and-forth between them, with pop-culture references, football and modern technology/music being the main wedge between them. Nevertheless, despite these differences, this duo works. There are no forced feelings between them, and their respect for each other is well played out.
In between all this banter, there has been a murder. A novelist has been killed, and it is down to this dynamic duo to discover who did it before any more die.
In this case, they fail. The body count has already risen in the previous issue, with a chef killed and dumped at sea, and that trend seems to continue in this issue before things are all settled.
In this conclusion, there are really three parts to the story. There is the killer's identification, confrontation, and inevitable chase. These aspects are done differently, with interesting settings and differing tones. Each part is played well, with some excellent background stories to go with it all, as we concentrate on the officers searching for their quarry.
I like how the changes in scenes change with the art style. There is some fun to be had, with some excellent scenes showcasing classic British items you seldom see in mainstream comics or TV. The way these aspects play out is funny and intriguing at the same time.
The final scenes are done with aplomb, tension and chase with some unexpected help.
This was an entertaining conclusion and makes you look forward to the next teased adventure.
