The Displaced #4 is written by Ed Brisson and published by BOOM! Studios. Illustration is by Luca Casalanguida, colours by Dee Cunniffe and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. Main cover art (left) is by Casalanguida and Cunniffe.
The Displaced #4 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
In the penultimate issue, the survivors are in their most desperate situation yet, exposed to the elements with nowhere left to go.
In the midst of a grim realization between two survivors seeking hope elsewhere, one of their own is getting sick, and the inevitable is to be expected.
Review
It’s hard to believe this is the penultimate issue of The Displaced. Ed Brisson’s mysterious new series has hardly begun to scratch the surface of its potentially supernatural or profoundly sci-fi threat. But this month we find ourselves with the survivors at their lowest. But then it’s always darkest before the dawn isn’t it?
Two-months since the disappearance of their town and their loved ones, most of the survivors are now living in the basement of a disused factory. Hardly a luxurious existence. But with their group new fractured and the reality of their situation hitting home it seems like the only inevitable conclusion is their eventual disappearance.
It feels right that Brisson continues to use Emmett and Gabby as our window in to this world. Their experiences have underpinned the entire journey of The Displaced and, until now, I had been pinning my hopes on their survival. Their connection has been the most human in the group and Brisson has capitalised on this to illustrate the emotional depths the group is facing.
This month’s issue cleverly opens with Gabby sharing her fears about forgetting her husband and daughter. It’s a very traditional conversation around the concept of grief. It’s straightforward and Brisson does nothing but treat it with the correct emotional delicacy. But we’re living in a world where the survival of these characters hinges on their being remembered. It hits so differently when the forgotten become the forgetful.
The passing of time is measured by the fractures in the group. Last issue we saw Travis, Ron, Emma, Paige and Stephen went their separate ways. Instead choosing a more violent path to ensure a better quality of life. Whilst it seems this course of action has allowed a more comfortable roof over their heads, their emotional state is little better than those in the factory. The sense of desperation and dissent in the ranks is beautifully baked in to the DNA of the issue. Thanks to ensemble cast we’re able to see that play out in a variety of different ways.
Events in nearby Bowmanville are perhaps the most heartbreaking this issue. Interestingly these moments made me realised I hadn’t kept up with the names of every character, the only downside to such a sprawling ensemble cast. But seeing Doug and his road partner coming to the conclusion they should separate just to see what happens, given what we know as an audience, is devastating. As the pair share a goodbye kissing, going their separate ways with the optimism that they’ll see each other the following night, the audience is left feeling Brisson has taken a dagger to our hearts.
At this stage we’ve been able to witness a number of the Oshawa survivors coming to a mysterious end. This issue we’ll witness several more. Some of the most overwhelming the book has to offer. But with little understanding as to what caused the town to disappear and is now making each of the survivors vanish from existence it’s difficult to envision how this could be wrapped up in the final issue. Perhaps the biggest surprise yet to come is that The Displaced is truly about the people and not about the journey.
Luca Casalanguida and Dee Cunniffee continue to keep The Displaced a consistent heavy hitter. The series has perfectly balanced character drama with small bursts of action and, of course, it’s sci-fi or supernatural elements. It’s a rich world that the artists have created and that’s certainly adding to my developing grief that the series is almost over.
Verdict
The Displaced #4 is a tantalising penultimate issue. So many questions remain ahead of the finale that it’s difficult to see how it could end.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
