Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #5
(W) Patrick Horvath (A/CA) Patrick Horvath
In Shops: Apr 10, 2024
SRP: $3.99
Sam’s foe was quick and mighty clever. Now Sam must skip town, maybe forever. The town doesn’t trust her, they think she’s the one. So Sam’s on her own, and alone she must run. But maybe, just maybe, she’ll learn in the wild. And return to that town, to face the devil child.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #4
(W) Patrick Horvath (A/CA) Patrick Horvath
In Shops: Mar 20, 2024
SRP: $3.99
“So now the stage is set, and Sam has ID’d her foe
But this town’s not big enough for both, so one of them must go
But first, there’s a meeting, where they’ll come face-to-face
If they can’t work it out, there will be a gruesome race
But it’s not quite that simple, and for once, Sam is scared
This foe knows quite a bit about her, and the things of which she cares”
Like the body count in the anthropomorphic town of Woodbrook, the success of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees continues to rise at a stunning rate. The cozy horror comic from writer, artist, and colorist Patrick Horvath and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is a monumental success for original titles at IDW Publishing. In addition to the rave reviews from both critics and readers, retailer interest continues to skyrocket for the cute yet terrifying series featuring an adorable anthropomorphic town that has two serial killers hiding in plain sight.
The first two issues quickly sold out at the distributor level, with the debut issue receiving three printings and the second issue receiving a second printing. Now, due to overwhelming demand, IDW is proud to share that a third printing of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 and a second printing of the recently released Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 are also heading to comic shops. They will arrive in stores on April 3 with new covers from Jesse Lonergan and Riley Rossmo.
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.
Logan
ThunderCats #1 (Dynamite) – Drew Moss‘ art has some of the Saturday morning cartoon dynamism especially in the fight sequences, but Declan Shalvey‘s script and characterization has the feel of action figures in the toy box getting slung around. This comic doesn’t transcend its 80s toy commercial roots and is filled with cliches, one note villains, and the laziest of cliffhangers. Overall: 5.0 Verdict: Pass
Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – After the imperialistic fervor of the opening installment, Kneel Before Zod #2 feels like one of those Game of Thrones episodes where old guys stand around and move pieces on the board. However, Ursa gets some strong character development punctuated by a double page spread of a backhand slap from Dan McDaid. In the second half of the comic, she’s Lady MacBeth in Kryptonian garb, and the conflict between her and Zod is immensely more interesting than the upcoming war between the Khunds and New Kandorian. Joe Casey writes her in a fierce, biting manner while let the plot wheels spin a little bit, and a potential key supporting character is sent off to another title. There’s less realpolitik and more mustache swirling in Kneel Before Zod #2, but Zod still comes across as Dick Cheney with superpowers, especially in the opening torture scene. I still love how McDaid draws technology and fight scenes, but this issue definitely is a slight dip in quality while still having potential for something engaging. Overall: 6.9 Verdict: Read (I purchased a copy)
Brett
Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1 (Marvel) – Chris Claremont returns to Wolverine with this retro tale that has the mutant killing machine teaming up with some other heroes in Madripoor. The comic has a bit of a throwback feel to it and there’s more than enough references to other events as to when this takes place to put it in continuity but unless you’re really nostalgic, the comic is amusing but not really engaging. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read
Pine and Merrimac #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The dynamic between the two leads is what really makes this series entertaining as they explore the mysterious island where there’s clearly illegal things going on. It’s all a little over the top in events, but that’s the type of story this is. Teasing of political corruption, secret cults, lots of guns, this is popcorn action, just enjoy the ride. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (IDW Publishing) – With paranoia and fear gripping the town, Sam has ideas as to who the serial killer is and begins the investigation. It leads down a rabbit hole that’s… really weird and very sad. Also, anyone else noticing these animals are eating other animals? What’s up with that!? If you’re into stories like Silence of the Lambs, don’t miss this! Overall: 8.25 Verdict: Buy
Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – I have to agree with Logan above. The issue is a step back and leans heavy into the drama between Zod and Ursa, showing maybe Ursa is the more brutal of the two? It has potential but we’ll have to wait and see if that pans out. Overall: 6.95 Verdict: Read
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (IDW Publishing) – If you like serial killer stories, this is one to not be missed. Every issue has been amazing.
Gone #2 (DSTLRY) – Jock’s series has been interesting sci-fi about a stowaway on a spaceship and being caught between two warring factions.
The One Hand #1 (Image Comics) – Neo Novena detective Ari Nasser is about to retire with an enviable record, until a brutal murder occurs, bearing all the hallmarks of the “One Hand Killer”… which should be impossible, since Ari already put him away not once, but twice in the years before.
Pine and Merrimac #2 (BOOM! Studios) – Interesting private eye series, there’s some intriguing political intrigue involved in it all.
Thundercats #1 (Dynamite Entertainment) – The classic series is reborn in this new comic that has a hell of an order. This is a hot debut to not be missed!
Traveling the Mars #10 (Ablaze) – One of the best series on the shelf right now.
U & I #1 (AWA Studios) – The next chapter in the saga of the Resistance Universe focuses on an unlikely love story.
Ultimate Black Panther #1 (Marvel) – Already sold out, the second series of the new Ultimate Universe is here with a familiar but new take on Black Panther!
Readers can’t get enough of the shocking cozy horror that fills the pages of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. Both the first and second issues received a second printing, and now the debut issue is heading back for a third printing after selling out yet again at the distributor level.
The critically-acclaimed series has taken the industry by storm due to its gripping murder mystery story, compelling character work and beautiful yet terrifying art. Written, illustrated and colored by Patrick Horvath and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, pre-orders for the third printing of issue #1 are due on January 22, and it will go on sale February 28.
The second chapter of the cozy horror series Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is being rushed back to the printer after selling out at the distributor level.
Written, illustrated and colored by Patrick Horvath, lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou and published by IDW Publishing, the second printing of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 goes on sale February 7, 2024. This comes after the debut issue also sold out and received a second printing.
Fans and retailers have until December 18, 2023 to pre-order the second printing of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2. Contact your local comic shop for more information.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2
(W) Patrick Horvath (A/CA) Patrick Horvath
In Shops: Dec 06, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Horrified to learn that she’s not the only serial killer in Woodbrook-and insulted, frankly, by the rookie’s flare for the dramatic-Samantha hits the pavement to silence the competition before they ruin her quiet, perfectly curated life. But the insufferable latte-chugging local busybody Cherry Gherkins is poisoning the town with her own theories about the murder, and things are about to get messy. Grab a cup of cocoa and curl up with the second chapter of Patrick Horvath’s twisted tale of a cozy animal community in crisis!
Horrified to learn that she’s not the only serial killer in Woodbrook-and insulted, frankly, by the rookie’s flare for the dramatic-Samantha hits the pavement to silence the competition before they ruin her quiet, perfectly curated life. But the insufferable latte-chugging local busybody Cherry Gherkins is poisoning the town with her own theories about the murder, and things are about to get messy. The debut issue was fantastic and Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 is an amazing second that ups the tension.
Written by Patrick Horvath, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 is a slasher story at its core. But it’s done with a slight twist and done so well. There’s the cute exterior, with the comic featuring cute anthropomorphic characters that look more like it should be a Berenstain Bears story. Then there’s the fact that the main character Sam, is in fact a serial killer herself. It’s a killer hunting a killer, not because it’s the right thing to do, but because she doesn’t want to get caught.
Horvath has taken a simple premise and genre we’ve seen so many times before and elevated it in multiple ways. There’s twists and turns that beg to be examined and debated. The choice of the animals themselves can be thought about and discussed for hours. Which are victims? Which are killers? Does the type of animal matter when it comes to that? It’s all intriguing choices that feel like there’s an “order” begging to be dissected.
The art helps it all too. With Horvath handling that with lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the visuals deliver a cute and quaint style that’s disrupted by grisly murders. Horvath choices of look to the comic is part of the success and charm. Normal humans, there wouldn’t be quite the impact. It’s the cute aspect that disarms the readers making a “Karen” that much more of a villain or a peaceful scene that turns into a bloody mess even more of a shocker. I’m also convinced the animal types deliver hints as to who the killer really is.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 is a hell of a second issue of a triumph of a series. It stands as one of the best of the year. Top notch writing plus top notch art take a familiar concept and just launches it to new levels. This is a can’t miss and has us excited to read more in 2024.
Story: Patrick Horvath Art: Patrick Horvath Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.75 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
Wednesdays (and Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Batman/Santa Claus: Silent Knight #2 (DC Comics) – The first issue was WAY more fun than it had any reason to be. The concept might sound silly but it worked and worked really well. A perfect release for the season.
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #2 (IDW Publishing) – They may look like cute animals but there’s a serial killer among them! A twisted tale whose first issue was one of the best of the year.
Beyond Real #1 (Vault Comics) – June discovers we’re in a computer simulation and sets out to meet the world’s creator. The second of Vault’s interesting release experiment!
Punisher #2 (Marvel) – A new Punisher, same ole action. The first issue felt like a back to the roots return for the character and we want to see more over the top kills and action.
Underheist #1 (BOOM! Studios) – A hardboiled heist series with a supernatural twist.
White Widow #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was solid fun and we’re hoping for more of the same for the second.
Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey (Metropolitan Books) – We already reviewed this one and it’s one of the best of the year. The true story of artist Edel Rodriguez as he escapes Cuba for the US and becomes a world famous artist.
Zawa + the Belly of the Beast #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The first issue had a nice fantasy story to it with amazing art. We’re expecting more and want more.
