Stranger Things #3 Review

Writer: Jody Houser
Penciler: Stefano Martino
Inker: Keith Champagne
Colorist: Lauren Affe
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Stranger Things #3 is full of desperation and heartbreak making it the most intense of the mini-series yet. The beauty of this issue successfully leaking this much sadness, fear, and heartbreak is that it is done in essentially one setting and by essentially only showing us one character.

I was skeptical if this team was going to be able to create a comic book series based on this amazing TV show that wasn’t just a comic book version of what we’ve already seen. This third issue blew me away by showing way more of Will in the Upside Down than we’ve seen yet.

As exciting as it is to see more of him in this setting, the best part of the issue is reading Will’s thoughts, fears, and frustration. Getting that glimpse into his mind as he is in this horrible situation makes this series a must read for fans of the show. I remember watching the show and feeling this awful feeling for WIll and him being trapped in this scary place all alone, but this issue specifically made that awful feeling in my stomach way worse. My heart broke for Will every single time he called out to his family from the Upside Down.

This issue beautifully and tragically shows us Will’s desperation as he explores the Upside Down and hides from it’s terrible monsters. Jody Houser has written Will in this situation better than I could have expected. I essentially know the story from watching the show, but Houser’s writing in this issue had me on the edge of my seat. I could feel Will’s fear and anxiety so powerfully and that is a testament to how well Houser’s writing is.

The artwork is also to thank for this effect because reading Will’s thoughts is powerful, but seeing him experience that fear and anxiety is just as potent and effective. Stefano Martino, Keith Champagne, and Lauren Affe, the team behind the artwork for this issue, really made this place that is already scary to me even more terrible. The Upside Down is horrific and this art team made it feel like the hopeless trap that it truly is.

This third issue is packed with horror and emotion which is enhanced by fantastic writing and beautiful and haunting artwork. Fans of the show will enjoy this issue as it emerges you in the Upside Down more than the show usually did. If you were curious to explore how terrible Will’s experience was, buy and read this issue.