REVIEW: 'The Deviant' #3 by James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson

 THE DEVIANT #3 

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Joshua Hixson

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: January 17, 2024

Cover Price: $3.99

The only police officer to get close to the Deviant Killer in '72 took an ax to his face...and lived. But when that same officer starts tracking down possible leads, will the primary suspect survive the encounter? The winter nights stretch on as James Tynion IV (Dracula) and Joshua Hixson (The Plot) continue their snow-swept horror story.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Let me preface this review by saying that 'The Deviant' by James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson is an excellent comic and I may be nitpicking. Tynion's range in horror is well documented. The writer of 'The Nice House on the Lake,' 'Something is Killing the Children,' 'W0rldtr33,' 'Dracula,' seems to enjoy exploring the horror spectrum from the very violent to the more nuanced approach. Tynion invokes his inner David Finch with 'Deviant' focusing on tension, atmospheric unease, and in-depth character development. All of that is good, of course, but in monthly installments, it's not only a slow burn but a chapter like issue three can feel almost inconsequential and probably better served consuming in the eventual collected trade. The issue adds more context to Michael and Derek's relationship from Derek's perspective. The theme of homophobia through the decades continues as the original investigation that led to Randall's arrest is revisited from the cop's point of view. It's simultaneously sad and infuriating. Hixson's ability to extract emotions from characters is so precise and effective words become unnecessary. Issue three is an emotional journey more than a terrifying one but its execution is nothing but phenomenal.'The Deviant' #3 may not move the plot further since neither Michael nor the Santa killer makes an appearance but its themes and character-work remain exceptional.