Welcome to Hoxford #4 – Review

By Ben Templesmith (Creator, Writer, Artist)

Some Thoughts Before The Review: Welcome to Hoxford has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me. Gory and disturbing, yet driven by an extremely compelling anti-hero, Ben Templesmith’s latest has definitely satisfied the horror fan within me far more than I ever expected. I can’t wait to see what happens to Raymond and the inmates next.

The Story: It’s Raymond Delgado and the few remaining survivors against a pack of ancient beasts in the blood, action-packed conclusion of Welcome to Hoxford.

What’s Good: Since the final chapter of the series is so focused on the mayhem caused by the clash between man and beast-men, there really isn’t a whole lot to it. The set-up called for action and now it’s delivered. That said, there are a few surprises regarding the nature between the hunters and the hunted as the story makes its way to a satisfying, brutal finish.

What’s Not So Good: As much as I enjoy Templesmith’s stylish artwork, it really doesn’t work that well during scenes heavy on action. And there is a lot of action in this one. The heavy use of gore and dark coloring makes the events more muddled and confusing than gruesome. Templesmith’s art style fits the book well, but a little clarity and direction would have gone a long way.

Conclusion: Welcome to Hoxford #4 is a visceral, slightly disappointing, conclusion to a well executed horror story. While the artwork leaves a bit to be desired while all the action is taking place, it shouldn’t deter anyone interested from giving the series a shot. There is a lot to like about a visit to Hoxford.

Grade: C+

-Kyle Posluszny