The revelations of the previous issue have turned this from more than just a serial killer story and given it a bit of a conspiracy tinge, which has only served to increase my interest further. The tension between the leads and their partners and higher-ups is very well done, and the feeling of time pressure for the manhunt comes through very well in the pacing of the story. DeFilippis first came to my attention with his work on an interrogation story during Batman: Officer Down, but he has teamed with Weir and Hurtt to create a story of investigation and tracking that rings just as true, and more importantly, just as interesting, as that story.
Last issue, the creators pulled a shocker about the identity of the skinwalker, and this issue follows up on that revelation, exploring the changes in the case that have come about as a result. I found the further investigation into how the skinwalker commits the murders to be very interesting and creepy, and marrying modern methodology to ancient practices makes for a much more dangerous and frightening foe.
Amidst the actual plot-driven aspects of the story, I continue to be impressed by the characterization at work. The strange bedfellows relationship of Adakai and Haworth has helped to show off the differences between them, as well as bringing Haworth away from his by the book tendencies and making him a more independently acting and thinking character. I loved the conspiracy aspect added this issue, which needed Adakai to point it out and Haworth to give it any credence, and now I'm left wondering what the exact motive behind the killings is.
As always, Hurtt and Dela Cruz provide a solid and effective art performance to back up the story. I'm particularly impressed that they have managed to convey an institutional sameness to the FBI agents while still giving them each individual looks. In addition, there are several scene changes into different states, and the artists do an effective job of giving each place a character of its own with only a couple of panels. The passage of time and the growth of the pattern is important to indicate visually as well as narratively, and the creative team comes through with flying colors (or flying gray tones, as the case may be.)
In Skinwalker, Oni Press has a mystery/horror story that deepens with each chapter and draws the reader further than further in. The book has plenty of atmosphere, as well as a gripping plot and strong characters, and I look forward to seeing both the end of the series and more work from these creators.
