Review –  ‘Mine Is A Long, Lonesome Grave’ #4 Sputters To Its Conclusion

Endings are difficult enough to write. That task is made even more difficult when wrapping up a four-issue limited series like Mine Is a Long, Lonesome Grave. Unfortunately, the creative team is only partially successful as the story reaches its climax and conclusion.

After Harley has been release from prison for killing his wife, he finds that he’s been cursed by an Appalachian witch and has only days to live. He goes on a violent and gory killing spree to save his daughter and himself, leaving most of his wife’s family slaughtered. But when he reign of terror ends, he realizes that the antagonist is not who he thought it would be.

Writer Justin Jordan spreads the stain of guilt across every character in this story. No one is clean and everyone, it seems, must make some act of contrition, even if it means dying. Fair enough, but that translates into a really high body count by the end of the series.

Up until now, those murders and fights have been interesting to look at. In this final issue, though, artist Maan House’s depictions of the fights become more opaque. It doesn’t help that three bearded white guys (this is Appalachia after all) are exchanging threats and bullets. Alessandro Santoro’s colors, which have been a high point until now, only had to the confusion of who’s who.

If there is good news in this final chapter, it’s that there’s a pretty definitive ending for the characters. Sure, if this team wants to write a sequel or even an backstory, they can. But too many creators leave their conclusions so open ended that readers come away disappointed. If you’re dissatisfied after reading this comic, it will be because you disagree with the direction the creators took. But at least they had the courage to take one.

Mine Is a Long, Lonesome Grave #4 will be available in comic book shops and digital platforms today from Oni Press.