Advance Review: ‘Of The Earth’ #5 Delivers Its Best Issue To Date

My Grandma, what a very big … knife you have!

Of the Earth’s Gramma Betty is back — and this time, she’s mad. Or possessed. Or whatever. But she’s a force regardless.

Last issue she terrorized her granddaughter, Tabby. Now gramma has set her sights on Thomas Morton, the local oil company’s troubleshooter. Meanwhile poor Tabby has trouble of her own as she deals with the oil monster called a wildcatter.

All of this is masterfully illustrated by comics veteran Charlie Adlard, who delivers suspenseful page after suspenseful page. We can feel the terror radiating from the victims, leaving us to frantically flip through the pages to know their fates. After all, there’s only one issue left after this one, and you get the feeling that anyone could meet their fate before the end.

Writers Chris Condon and Andrew Ehrich largely eschew dialogue in this chapter to let the terror take hold. There’s no quips or sly commentary from Tabby or Thomas, much less from those that would do them harm. It’s a smart move that puts the focus on the horror and on Adlard’s imagery.

It also allows us to better appreciate Pip Martin’s coloring. In this issue, Martin tends to gravitate to a certain color for several pages in a row. For example, purples dominate most of this chapter, giving the impression of darkness and foreboding. Later she changes things up with oranges for a massive explosion and flames. It may not be the most innovative approach, but it is effective.

This issue delivers real impact, despite the lack of text and limited color palate. In fact, it’s probably the best of the limited series’ run.

Of the Earth #5 — written by Chris Condon and Andrew Ehrich, illustrated by Charlie Adlard, colored by Pip Martin, and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou — will be available in comic book stores and on digital platforms Wednesday from Image Comics.