Review: Red Mother #3

Publisher: Boom! Studios
Writer: Jeremy Haun
Artist: Danny Luckert
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Released: February 19t, 2020
Rating:

Red Mother has been a truly chilling series, right from the start. In the span of just a few issues, Daisy has been through hell and back. Though perhaps not literally. Not yet, at any rate. What is in store for her is a lot less certain, so I’m not going to rule out that possibility.

Daisy McDonough had been a woman content to live her life, enjoying time with her boyfriend, while working on projects for fun. But that was all before she and her boyfriend were attacked. Now he’s missing, and she’s still struggling to cope with the fallout.

Last we saw, a mysterious box had been left on her door. I for one had spent more than my fair share of time wondering about what the intriguing item could possibly have been. So naturally, this is an issue I was very much looking forward to.

The Writing

Red Mother #3 was written by Jeremy Haun, and man does he have a great sense of storytelling here. I’ve been so curious to see what the item could be, that I was worried it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. I needn’t have worried.

The intrigue level jumped all the way up to a ten in this issue, as the item was not what I expected. Nor was the sender who or what I was expecting. It’s still chilling, thinking about what it all could mean. But for a completely different reason.

This issue balanced fascination with trauma in a very careful manner. Daisy is far from being healed, emotionally or physically. But for the briefest moment, it almost felt like she was on that path. Given what we know, and what she doesn’t know, that feels unlikely to be true. But that’s just making the read all the more exciting, don’t you think?

The Art

The artwork behind Red Mother #3 is truly stunning. It’s dark yet elegant, which is a perfect combination when you think about it. There were lots of fine details that needed to be portrayed here, thanks to the nature of the gift Daisy received. Yet that only helped to enhance the story as a whole.

Danny Luckert was the least artist for this issue, providing both the lines and the colors. They’ve done a fantastic job, as the world really comes alive here. Everything from Daisy’s scar to the way she explores her world seems so vivid and real.

The rare glimpse into that red world is a delightful pop of color – even while being highly terrifying. In a way, it sort of reminds me of the way the Purple Man tends to affect the pages around him. He doesn’t even have to be physically present in order for readers (or viewers) to know he’s there. It’s much the same way for this Red Mother.

Ed Dukeshire was the letterer, and they unsurprisingly did a great job. He’s always known how to balance things, how much is too much and so on. That knowledge is used to great effect here, as this is such a delicate story unfolding.

In Conclusion

Red Mother #3 was another thrilling read, but it felt different for several reasons. In this case, different is good. The intrigue has taken a new form, and with it, it almost feels like Daisy is once again taking control of her life. For better or for worse. Only time will tell.