Family Tree #4

Image Comics

Writer: Jeff Lemire

Artist: Eric Gapstur, Phil Hester, and Ryan Cody

Family Tree is the newest series from critically acclaimed writer and horror master, Jeff Lemire. Fresh off of Descender and in the midst of Gideon Falls, Lemire has teamed up with Eric Gapstur, Phil Hester, and Ryan Cody to create this family-centered thriller.

Meg is slowly being transformed into a tree due to her mysterious condition and it’s getting worse by the day. Judd, Meg’s grandfather, became a part of her life for the first time to help her family find a cure. He’s the only one who has dealt with this disease before and only he knows the truth about why Meg’s father abandoned his family.

Each issue contains a lot of story in a short amount of time and issue #4 is no exception. It begins with Judd trying to explain what’s happening to his family. The son is quick to accept it but Meg’s mother is in complete disbelief. Their discussion is quickly interrupted with an ambush that splits the grandfather off from everyone else. While his family runs Meg to safety, he is left to take on the ambush. The issue ends with a major cliff hanger that has the potential to completely change the direction of the series.

This issue continues to push the plot forward and expand the lore of the condition plaguing the family. We find out who the attackers from the previous issues are and why they will never stop coming after Meg. It’s also reinforced that the disease will never stop; the best they can hope for is slowing it down. With these two devastating truths following Meg and given the introduction, you start to question if her life is worth fighting for. Meanwhile, the rest of the book is centered around the family interactions. The grandfather trying to reconnect with his daughter is moving and Josh calling his “grandpa” for the first time in his life makes you feel for the broken but healing family.

The art style of this book takes it from an exciting story to a thrilling ride. The matte and shadowy coloring contrasts the imperfect and angular pencils. The only thing that would be harder than finding a saturated color in this book would be trying to find a straight line, and that’s to the book’s benefit. Both add to the haunting and uncertain atmosphere the story sets up. We’re also treated with a masterful use of page layout. The second the panels start to feel repetitive they throw in something new and creative to catch your attention.

This issue was a joy to read and a pleasure to look at. Only four issues in, Family Tree just keeps building and building. The tragic story of a reunited family in the face of danger is nuanced and original and despite its fast-paced nature, this book is a surprisingly light read. Anyone who wants a concise and fast-paced thriller should definitely pick this book up.

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