Comic Review: Step By Bloody Step #4

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Si Spurrier

Artists: Matías Bergara & Matheus Lopes

The comic book medium is special not just because of the superheroes or even the marriage of art and prose. It’s special because, like most mediums, it has limitless potential for creativity. Seeing that potential constantly realized by new and great creative teams is what makes comic books so special. Step By Bloody Step has been a series that has pushed that potential in an incredible, thought provoking way. Now, everything that the last few issues have been building towards comes to a satisfying conclusion. 

Like the rest of the series, Step By Bloody Step #4 is completely silent, sans an alien language with script made by Jim Campbell. Following the shattering tragedy that occured in the previous issue, the characters who are left are forced to mourn and pick up the pieces. Si Spurrier’s story has slowly been building towards a heartbreak, and most of that hits the reader hard here.

Still, through all of the heartbreak, the characters show strength and perseverance, and the protagonist has one more leg on her journey. Like the rest of the series, readers don’t quite know what everything is building up to or even where the characters are going, but the journey is guaranteed to be beautiful and evocative thanks to Matías Bergara and Matheus Lopes.

There is almost nothing I can say about this artistic duo that hasn’t already been said. The existence of this book is a risk in itself, with almost the entire project hinging on the art. Bergara and Lopes go above and beyond every expectation in this issue, even the ones that were set by the previous art masterpieces.

From a sequential art point of view, the story couldn’t move along any smoother. The creative team nearly flawlessly depicts just enough to keep the story moving forward without harming the pacing or leaving too much to the imagination. Every panel is staged in a way that makes every moment hit the reader in just the right way. Readers will likely be confused as they put the pieces together in this final chapter, but they will never be frustrated.

Of course, the art itself is captivating as well. Every movement by the characters is compelling. Every environment is gorgeously detailed. Every color not only adds depth to the art, but also conveys an emotion. This is an incredibly emotional story, and the art and colors will move readers in a way that most comics simply don’t. The final few pages go from bright colors in a gorgeous climax to soft, serene colors as the story concludes. Everything ends with a peaceful feeling.

This is a story that will leave readers theorizing about long after they close it. There is so much that is open to interpretation due to the way the story is told. By omitting language, Step By Bloody Step is a story that anyone can read and connect to. The emotions felt will be universal. Everyone will want to understand the ending. This is a book that will be talked about for a long time. 

Step By Bloody Step #4 is a flawless conclusion to one of the most astounding comics in recent memory. Si Spurrier, Matías Bergara and Matheus Lopes have created something that can and should be experienced by any fan of the medium. This is sequential art at its best.