Continuing his investigation of the Deviant Killer, Michael Olsen interviews accused murderer Randall again to learn more about his side of the story. During the process, Olsen begins to see more of himself in the supposedly arrested Deviant Killer and examines his personal history with the monster that haunted his childhood. And with the Deviant Killer murdering again, Michael gets placed in the crosshairs of the investigation as the prime suspect. 

James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixson take the reader deeper into the rabbit hole as Michael approaches the dark mirror in The Deviant #4. I am again amazed at how well the series examines not only the ways that homophobia creates fear-mongering in a community but also the impact it has on the members of the LGBTQ+ community. Michael initially has difficulty seeing beyond the supposed horror of Randall before coming to terms with the similarities they share as queer men. The alleged gay boogeyman who represented his internal fears about his sexuality is surprisingly human. Even the discussion of Jeffrey Dahmer at the beginning between Michael and his boyfriend Derek connects the story to the real world due to how a figure like Dahmer impacted the public viewpoint about the LGBTQ+ community. Paul’s gay bashing of Michael in public reinforces how homophobia and transphobia are back on the rise due to bigots viewing queerness as deviancy. Even the reappearance of the Deviant Killer signals this resurgence as well. 

I also appreciate how Tynion deepens the relationships of Michael, Derek, and Randall. Michael and Randall are dark parallels, while Derek worries about the story’s impact on his boyfriend. Understanding Michael’s darker interest, Derek still worries about him as the detective exploits his fears. That unknown buries itself into the back of his skull as Michael becomes more distant and less open. Simultaneously, Michael slowly lets down his guard to Randall where. They form a quid pro quo as he offers to discuss his childhood if Randall talks about his experiences with the trial. Michael cannot help but lean closer into the void as it slowly sucks him into it. 

I love Hixson’s pacing and framing of the intimate dialogue scenes in The Deviant #4. Especially with Michael and Randall, as it becomes a dance of sorts that the pair engage in. In addition, he nails the subtle body language to help convey the characters’ genuine emotions. His coloring truly showcases a broad spectrum from a thrilling rave to the colder jail cell; Hixson is a perfect artistic partner for Tynion. Lastly, the grounded psychological horror tone could only exist with the letter Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s work. 

I still have a lot to think about The Deviant and the themes it explores. I appreciate Tynion and Hixson crafting a queer horror tale that dives into the murky waters to see what lies beneath the surface. The Deviant pulls off the masks of the monsters who haunt us and forces us to see them as they are. Monsters may not exist in the world, but others deem some humans monstrous.

Story: James Tynion IV Art: Joshua Hixson
Color : Joshua Hixson Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – Kindle

Despite the police catching the supposed Deviant Killer in 1972, a similar set of murders committed by a masked killer dressed as Santa has resurfaced in the present day. But how was the man found guilty of the crime caught, and what led to the police officer charging him for it? The Deviant #3 flashes back to the supposed investigation of Randall in the wake of the two boys murdered by the cop who got attacked by the Deviant Killer. 

After holding the cards close to his chest for the previous two issues, James Tynion IV lets the reader peek behind the curtain and see what led alleged murderer Randall to get arrested and end up in prison. Tynion does not excuse Randall’s other reprehensible actions but showcases the gray shades of humanity within our alleged monsters. Although the issue does not advance the story’s plot significantly, it provides greater context to the crimes that Michael has been investigating for his comic book series within the narrative. 

Similar to the past two issues, Tynion dives deeper into the fears and anxieties directed at queerness. By placing the point of view on homophobic policeman Paul for the issue, he not only critiques the harmful stereotypes associated with queerness but illuminates the difficulty for the LGBTQ+ community in late 20th century America. Outside of the usage of “faggy,” the police describing Randall as “funny” and how Paul questions him furthers the commentary on the idea of queerness aligning with deviancy and how alleged boogeymen are created. Randall cannot exist as a gay man who committed horrific actions but can only exist as a monster defined by his queerness to the police and how people remember the crime.

In addition, I still greatly enjoy the Christmas setting for not only contrasting the horror tone of the story but providing a sense of melancholy and isolation relatable to the queer experience. Even in a season of cheer and joy, it can be hard to enjoy it due to the internal baggage we carry. This decision also grounds the narrative by placing it in a more realistic setting to highlight the horrific nature of the murders. The flashback showcases how an unthinkable crime can significantly impact the residents in a close community.

Joshua Hixson’s artwork and colors remain a strong point for the series. He effortlessly balances the mundanity of a city like Milwaukee while contrasting it with visceral imagery. It feels perfectly expressive while not sacrificing the characters’ humanity or the story’s seriousness. His more muted color scheme also pairs with the tone well and never feels like Christmas overshadows the story. He makes sure Christmas is a backdrop element but not standing in the limelight with excessive reds and greens. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering fits the naturalism of the story and never feels out of place with the narrative. 

The Deviant continues as another strong original series by Tynion that is not afraid to look at and critique these serious topics through a queer horror lens. Even if January has arrived, each new issue feels like a new Christmas present, and I get more excited towards its release each month. There is no horror comic book series like it on the market right now.

Story: James Tynion IV Art and Color: Joshua Hixson
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle