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'Dark Spaces: Dungeon' #4 is deliciously tense
IDW

Comic Books

‘Dark Spaces: Dungeon’ #4 is deliciously tense

Our heroes get closer to the serial killer behind the dungeon all along.

The mystery of who a serial killer is intertwines with the race to save a man’s child in Dark Spaces: Dungeon. The penultimate issue is out this week, further solving puzzles so that a detective and the father of the lost child can possibly save the day. The unlikely duo should probably part, but don’t, as they both want to find what they’re after. The question remains, can they get it in time before all is lost?

Dark Spaces: Dungeon #4 opens with Detective Madoc Bohdi and Tyler driving towards their next lead. They know of someone who may have known the serial killer when they were a child, which may lead them closer to the actual killer. The two characters are bonding in a well-written scene, while tension persists between them.

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It’s a bit surprising there’s tension at all since Tyler is seeking Madoc’s help and vice versa, but it is palpable. It’s not in the words, per se, but in Hayden Sherman’s expert character acting. There are side glances by both that convey a distrust, or maybe something more. For a mystery like this one, you’re likely going to notice because you’re on your toes trying to figure out anything as far as answers. I suspect something might be up with Tyler, which adds up a bit considering his actions in the final scene.

'Dark Spaces: Dungeon' #4 review

Interesting angle on the old woman.
Credit: IDW

Before the high tension of the final scene, Modoc and Tyler do a bit of detective work questioning an old woman. She’s in a bad way and barely knows a thing. She’s a victim. She does have information, though, which is revealed via some well-designed layouts. Intermixing photos amongst panels creates an effect that’s both weird and unnerving. It almost makes you pay closer attention when a panel of Madoc almost looks like one of the photos.

There are some shared wins for the two, though, which throws off any scent of something nefarious growing between them. There’s a buddy-cop feel to some of their acts which shows each one has skills that can help progress the case.

I’d argue some of these wins come too quickly and maybe too easily. We’ll see how things paly out int eh finale, but after the first three issues the pace seems ramped up out of nowhere.

Colors by Patricio Delpeche are also excellent. The final scene in the night is particularly well done. The characters are easy to see and read their expressions, yet the shading conveys they’re in shadow. A key sequence of events that helps progress the case is cast in a sickly green, which sets it apart from the rest of the scenes, but also creates an unnerving edgy feel.

The good guys get closer to the culprit in a tension-filled fourth issue of Dark Spaces: Dungeon. The characters are on high alert and you will be too.

'Dark Spaces: Dungeon' #4 is deliciously tense
‘Dark Spaces: Dungeon’ #4 is deliciously tense
Dark Spaces: Dungeon #4
The good guys get closer to the culprit in a tension-filled fourth issue of Dark Spaces: Dungeon. The characters are on high alert and you will be too.
Reader Rating1 Votes
8.9
The tension between the main characters is intriguing
Layouts and art in general is so great
The heroes get closer to their target!
After a slow burn mystery being unveiled this issue seems to be barreling to the end too quickly
8.5
Great
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