REVIEW: 'I Hate This Place' #8 by Kyle Starks, Artyom Topilin, and Lee Loughridge

 

I HATE THIS PLACE #8 

Writer: Kyle Starks

Artist: Artyom Topilin, Lee Loughridge

Letters: Pat Brosseau

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: May 3, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

"Check this series out. You won't regret it." -SKTCHD

After jumping through a mysterious portal, Gabby finally gets some answers about what the hell is going on! Meanwhile, Trudy is reunited with a literal ghost from their past-and after this issue, nothing will be the same!

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: This will have to be a quick review because I can't spoil some of the new twists in 'I Hate This Place' #8. The series has combined many genres like horror and sci-fi but the latest issue is pure science fiction. The use of a portal takes the story in a whole new direction with major consequences for our favorite farmers. What's really impressive about this issue is Kyle Starks' ability to take the story into another dimension while maintaining the tension of the last two issues and incorporating mystery, catharsis, and even some tenderness. The turnaround from the portal is still tied to the present-day events on the farm but now Gabby is armed with new vital information that changes everything going forward. As usual, Artyom Topilin and Lee Loughridge deliver an eye-popping visual feast drenched in deep rich colors. Loughridge takes different color schemes from scene to scene finding the urgency and tone with the number of hues that wash over the panel, varied reds for some of the more dangerous scenes for instance. Pat Brosseau's lettering and sound effects help heighten the action. 

It's another stellar issue of 'I Hate This Place' that takes readers on a roller coaster ride. Issue eight marks an important pivot point in the series that only deepens the characters' motivations and tests their steely resolve. It's also more proof that this is one of the best comics available right now.