Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Artyom Topilin
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Release Date: April 5, 2023
Price: $3.99
Reviewer: Lukke Sweet
The girls have been captured…. by Trudy’s father and his followers! Things are looking bad for Gabby and Trudy in I Hate This Place #7 by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin. The last issue showed just how far Trudy’s father is willing to go to get what he wants. Tied up, beaten, and under guard it looks like time has run out for leading ladies, but let’s read on to see how it all shakes out.
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The Story
With I Hate This Place #7, Starks continues diving deeper into the characterization of Trudy as he introduces even more of the environment that shaped her. While the issue starts off bleak for Gabby and Trudy, only interest in the strange and mysterious inhabitants of the Ranch saved them from their demise. Wish Trudy’s father wanting to wait till the following night to see the ghosts once more, it provided the perfect opportunity for the girls to make their escape, or at least for Gabby to get away. From that moment on, the issue is non-stop action and it works. The acceleration of the current arc, along with the cliffhangers for this issue, will make readers eager to get to May 3rd and issue #8!
The Artist
Topilin and Loughridge have teamed up once more to create the art for I Hate This Place #7. And once again, they knock it completely out of the park. Panel after panel, Topilin’s artwork creates a grim and grimy atmosphere for Starks to play in. The linework has been especially on point when it comes to dynamic panels that evoke a sense of motion with just a few lines. But for me personally, what has always been the cherry on top, the best part of this book, is Loughridge’s colors. The way Loughridge plays with the differences between muted and vibrant shades, moving from cool to warm color schemes, and the eerie greens of the setting is more than perfect for a horror comic. Loughridge manages to capture the heart of Starks’ story through the use of color to take it to a whole new level.
Final Thoughts
I Hate This Place #7 is a suspenseful chapter in the second arc of Starks’ horror masterpiece. From bleak beginnings, this issue will keep readers on the edge of their seat through every panel and every page. Topilin and Loughridge partner on the art to create an engrossing and creepy atmosphere to set the stage for every panel.