HARU

Can Haru’s hope eclipse Blight’s despair?

Jumping right in where its predecessor concluded, this third volume finds the endearing blue bird Haru navigating a frightening and unfamiliar realm known as the Inbetween. Undaunted by the Inbetween’s nightmarish denizens, Haru, who uses they/them pronouns, forges on. They meet Hecate (“but you can call me Cate”), a ghost cat who guides them through the Inbetween to the next realm. Meanwhile, Haru’s friends, firefly Frei and mushroom Herb, along with Haru’s brother, Goose, are trying to stop the nefarious Blight, whose rageful anguish manifests as angry red skies with tentacled clouds. As the final confrontation looms between heroes and foes, can Haru’s optimism subdue Blight’s pain? Exploring themes of grief and loss juxtaposed against hope and kindness, Latham’s latest graphic fantasy thrills. Despite its weighty subjects, the masterful visual storytelling and numerous lush, wordless panels keep the pages flying. The softly hued scenes contain vibrant splashes of color, creating a dramatic effect. Haru’s journey and transformation resonate, and the narrative nuance brings accessible complexity to what might, deceptively, appear to be a simple tale. Those familiar with Haru’s previous adventures will find satisfying resolutions to longstanding questions in this dreamy and luminous trilogy closer.

Engaging, uplifting, and beautifully imagined.