Advance Review: `Hairball’ #3 Pivots To A Psychological Thriller

The line between sanity and insanity in Hairball is no longer clear. In the first issues, it was clear that Anna’s cat, Bestie, was a force of evil. The feline poisoned Anna’s dad and generally caused mayhem wherever it went.

Now though, things seem less certain. As told through Anna’s sessions with a therapist, we’re forced to wonder whether Bestie really is a force for evil. Perhaps Anna, who is hellbent on destroying the cat, is really the one that needs to be put down.

Credit writer Matt Kindt for sewing these seeds of doubt in the readers’ minds. In the process, he has turned this series – or at least this issue – into a psychological thriller. Has Anna been insane since the beginning of the series, or is she really dealing with a supernatural feline? Is Bestie actually evil, or is she protecting Anna by getting her out of a terrible home environment?

Those who thought they knew the answers may not be too sure after reading this issue. And Anna’s descent into madness (or is it just resolve?) only add more layers to the story.

Artist Tyler Jenkins gives Anna a detached calm while she’s on the therapist’s couch – a stark contrast from the girl who spends much of the issue trying to kill Bestie in the most painful ways imaginable. A knife fight pitting cat vs. human leaves you genuinely nervous about the outcome. Juxtaposing that battle with a scene in the therapist’s office only adds to the tension.

With a few notable exceptions, Hilary Jenkins’ colors largely blend into the background. Her reds, though, pop in a few key scenes, most notably the knife fight as well as a failed attempt to burn the cat alive.

While the issue is far from perfect, it pulls off an unlikely pivot and ultimately leaves the reader craving more. At the end of the day, that is something most readers are looking for.

Hairball #3 will be available for purchase next Wednesday.