Once again we have more proof on why Scott Snyder is one of the best horror writers, and best writer in the industry period, with this recent issue of Severed. Last issue got me a little down because I was so angry on what happened to Sam. But what else do you expect is going to happen to characters in a book about a crazed serial killer with shark-like teeth? I do want to say before this review that I would love to know who specifically wrote what in certain cases. Because there is a second writer who doesn’t seem to get much press as Snyder, as much as it is deserved mind you. Scott Tuft, I’m sure, is doing a lot of great writing in this mini and if we learned more about the duties for each script we’d learn just how ‘fucked up’ of a writer he is too.

This series from day one has had the perfectly balance of tension, fear, and downright pants wetting moments. Presently, this issue is no different as I was left wondering just what the hell was going to happen next with each page. Fuck, we open up with one of the most disturbing misleads I’ve ever witnessed in my life in this issue and that’s saying something. Mister Fisher has become one of the most fascinating characters in comics this year. He’s so downright chilling and disturbing to read but he’s so intelligent at the same time. One minute he can be the nicest guy in the world, but of course if you cross him the next he’ll scalp you. (To nitpick: Why on earth Jack didn’t run after seeing a man scalp another is really foolish on his part) It really feels like I am reading a film script at points because you can hear the soft, chilling music for a soundtrack at points. It shows just how in tune Snyder and Tuft are in terms of pacing and horrifying ideas.

The art is the big shocker for me in this issue though as not only is their a new colorist but Futaki seems to have changed his style a bit. Or maybe it ‘looks’ different because of Greg Guilhaumond colors which, by the way, makes it even look more like a series of paintings then the previous issues. You can tell though by looking at Jack and Mr. Fisher that they don’t look similar from the previous issues. Jack looks more like a girl to be honest and Mr. Fisher will sometimes look like he has a million wrinkles. Maybe I never noticed it before because, again, of the coloring but I don’t make it sound like it’s bad. His art works well with the script by giving us great angles and he makes the pacing work brilliantly. My favorite panel probably comes right in the beginning where Futaki literally splits Mr. Fisher’s face by panels to show his dual personality. That’s where you see the benefit of this being a comic then what you would normally see in a film.

The fifth issue is more like the previous four for Severed and that isn’t a knock on it. As always this issue was terrifying with it’s great pace and disturbing moments thanks to Snyder and Tuft. The art completely changes though and while the changes in color or design didn’t bother me as much I can see where it could for others. Overall this was just another great example at why Snyder/Tuft are great at writing Horror and that Image has one of the best mini-series on the stands right now.