Advance Review: ‘Fishflies’ #3 Makes The Familiar Feel Fresh

At first blush, Jeff Lemire’s Fishflies #3 contains few original story elements.

There’s a young boy who is clinging to life by a thread. His emotionally distant mother who is coming to terms with the notion of losing her son. A young girl who is terrorized by an abusive alcoholic father. A heroic small-town cop trying to find a dangerous criminal. And a man transformed into an inhuman creature.

Taken individually, these elements are overly familiar – tropes even. But when told through Lemire’s pen, they somehow feel fresh again. Yes, you know the abusive dad is going to get his comeuppance. And the dying kid will probably – probably – pull through. Yet Lemire crafts a page-turner in this chapter. Even though the issue’s ending is entirely predictable, it feels like a surprise.

That’s a credit to this top-notch storyteller who is responsible for the script as well as the illustrations in these oversized issues. Lemire’s drawings are uniquely him. While many of his characters, particularly the younger ones, look alike, the situations they are in distinguish them. And a focus on adults in this issue – the mom and the cop in particular – gives him the chance to show their weariness with the world. Circles and bags under the eyes, withered mouths, and random facial hairs help the reader to understand each character. It may not be subtle, but it is effective.

Lemire is not one to go crazy with color. The vast majority of the book – the series really – is pale shade of yellows and blue-grays. Only the young girl Franny, who has befriended a fugitive, shows any sign of color in her red coat. It’s a reminder that the story ultimately revolves around her and her action.

The limited series, which originated in Lemire’s newsletter during Covid, has recently expanded to a seventh issue. That should be a treat for readers who get to stay in this world a little longer.

Fishflies #3 will be available for purchase on Wednesday.