Sons of the Devil #4 Review

Writer: Brian Buccellato / Artist: Toni Infante / Image Comics I read some interesting advice this week about writing. It said that when thinking of characters, don’t add them because they’re cool, add them because of how the affect other characters. A simple piece of advice, really, yet one I’d never thought of in such a direct, succinct way. Where the protagonist’s purpose may be a particular goal, each supporting character’s whole purpose is based on relationships, and the dynamics they bring out of others. Sons of the Devil does this well with the introduction of its newest character Jenny, and even better with Travis’ girlfriend, Mel. With such a dark series where the fear of death looms over each page, and a protagonist who doesn’t have a burning goal besides to be left the hell alone, it’s the relationships that make me care, and what ultimately keeps me invested in this book.

Sons of the Devil #4 progresses in the gradual, clinching way that has become its trademark. Travis and Mel are living so close to danger without knowing it, and since they live fairly normal lives it’s easy for readers to put themselves in their shoes and wonder “what if this were me?” That’s the kind of empathy that makes this book creepy: Travis and Mel didn’t play with a Ouija board or hold a séance – they didn’t do anything to provoke horror – yet it’s right outside their door.

The funny thing is, I still care about their relationship, as if there’s not a cult busy torturing people and tha…