The Unsound is published by BOOM! Studios. It is written by Cullen Bunn with art by Jack T. Cole.
I’m not…I’m not completely sure I know what I just read. I actually had to read this issue twice because a lot happens even though it doesn’t seem like it does. The riot is continuing in the main section of the hospital, at least, what we thought was the main section. However, Xerxes is leading the group down, down deep to the sub basements.
We find out from Xerxes that before the current doctors and staff were there, before the hospital was closed for years, the patients built these hidden paths, built this “home” in the sub basements. When the previous owners had closed the asylum, they planned to send out the patients before they were ready. And what then? What would they do? What choice did they have? So, they continued St. Cascia’s work, by building homes for themselves in this place. As they continue further and further, Xerxes makes mysterious comments to Ashli, about how she, above everyone else, must keep her mask on. He also continues talking about the importance of “embracing the madness”, a key subject in every issue thus far. Madness. What is madness? There are different levels, different variations. But one staff member claims “all I’ve got in is my mind” and she takes off her mask in fear, only to have 3 beings with distorted faces come and take her away – these beings looking eerily similar to the men in black suits we had seen walking around the hospital.
Unlike the rest, who are terrified, Ashli is more angry than anything. She takes off her mask several times despite Xerxes’s warnings to demand clear answers from him. She also seems much more calm and collected than everyone else, but given her history with self-harm and depression, this kind of madness isn’t something that scares her anymore. He keeps talking about a “prince” but won’t say who he is or where. There is even a moment where Ashli looks rather demonic. Generally, when creepy, scary people talk about a “prince”, they are usually referring to the prince of the underworld, a.k.a Lucifer and/or Satan. And if this prince wants Ashli, what does that make her? Why is she special?
I think the most interesting part of this comic (I mean, it’s all interesting) is that as we follow along with this group deeper to the basement, the world becomes more and more insane. The bright colors, the twisting shapes, the weird images splayed in the walls, the warped faces. It’s all so damn unsettling but you just can’t stop reading. Jack T. Cole has really blown me away with this issue.
OVERALL SCORE: 10 / 10
This issue pushes us through the veil and in to the insane world that Cullen Bunn and Jack T. Cole have created together and it’s absolutely fantastic.
Make sure you pick up a copy of The Unsound #3 from your local comic shop!
Happy reading!
–Written by Rachel Freeman
