REVIEW: 'I Hate This Place' #9 by Kyle Starks, Artyom Topilin, and Lee Loughridge

 

I HATE THIS PLACE #9 

Writer: Kyle Starks

Artist: Artyom Topilin, Lee Loughridge

Letters: Pat Brosseau

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: June 7, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

Questions will be answered as Gabby and Trudy face terrors from their past, present, and future in the penultimate issue of I HATE THIS PLACE!

Score: 

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

This second arc of "I Hate This Place' has taken quite a turn from its explosive first chapter in issue six. That issue set up the abusive and extremely violent tyrannical behavior of Trudy's father and since then the science fiction aspect of the series has taken on a whole new dimension of stakes and consequences that traverse time and space. Writer Kyle Sparks reveals more of the farm's origins encompassing strange alien technology while Trudy and Gabby enlist the help of ghosts to push back on the incoming forces. 

This has been one of the best titles of the year. Thrilling and fast-paced, IHTP continues to evolve with many surprises and a genuine sense of fear and anxiety while using aliens, ghosts, time travel, and violence to produce a cohesive terror-filled adventure. Starks throws a lot at readers but it works, all the elements are grounded in the inherent evil, not of the supernatural, but the human one hunting down Trudy and Gabby. Her father Joseph, is resilient, determined, and undeterred by all the monsters in his way. It's that type of Terminator-like pursuit that makes this arc so jarring and compelling. 

Artyom Topilin and Lee Loughridge are at their best with so many creative designs from monsters to aliens and the color choices are complete knockouts. As terrifying as the issue can be there's a sense of sci-fi monster movie fun from decades ago with gasp-inducing confrontations. There are even moments that should have readers cheering even if it is short-lived. Topilin and Loughridge's versatility and inventiveness elevate the story with every new scene. 

'I Hate This Place' is such a compelling read that fans of horror, science-fiction, suspense, and action should be wholly satisfied diving into this thrilling title. Starks and company are giving readers a feast of entertainment.