The penultimate issue of The Deviant is out this week with issue #8. The slow-burn and extremely creepy series is much more than a story about a serial killer dressed as Santa. It has examined obsession, how being queer is considered by some to be deviant behavior and more. In the eighth issue, Michael returns after being arrested and charged as the killer while his boyfriend Derek continues to prove Michael is innocent.
Similar to past issues, The Deviant #8 is a collection of just a few scenes. This issue features three, starting with a report of a new murder, as was teased at the end of the last issue. Cleverly, writer James Tynion IV and Joshua Hixon recap things via a news broadcast on a TV inside the latest victim house. Laying under the Christmas tree like a present is a pile of body parts.
Most of this issue concerns Michael coming face-to-face with FBI agent Hall. The two have a long discussion about key details that could incriminate Michael. Along the way, Michael reveals he very much believes his goose is cooked and he’ll be going down for the murder even though he is innocent.
She’s all wrapped up.
Credit: Image
This chunk of the story further plays out a scene from Michael’s youth, which is tragic in several ways. Once again, The Deviant shows its horror isn’t just in being a slasher but how it slashes at the heart and soul of its characters. Throw in the fact that Michael points out Hall being queer only hurts his ability to prove his innocence – because who would believe a gay FBI agent on a case like this – and there’s a lot of hopelessness being felt.
Hixson’s character acting is great, from Hall’s near-emotionless delivery to Michaels’ downtrodden hopelessness. The flashback with Michael is truly tragic and done in a way that makes you wonder if this really happened to either creator.
Derek takes up most of the last quarter of the issue as he continues to try to prove Michael’s innocence. He’s positive and hopeful, so he and Michael are so good together. New information during this scene makes you assume the story is going one way, but the cliffhanger zags when you think it’ll zig. The final full page, a full-page spread, is incredibly creepy.
That page is creepy in part due to Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering. Well-placed “Hkk, hrrr, hkk” sound effects are very creepy. I’d call this issue’s lettering perfection as far as placement with word balloons feeling perfectly placed throughout.
I think it’s safe to say it’s very unclear who the murderer could be, making this less of a mystery at this point. Who knows, though, once all is revealed in the next issue, maybe we’ll have even more reason to reread this incredible series.
At times surreal and upsetting, The Deviant is a story that’ll never quite leave you.
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