FAMILY TREE #10, available Wednesday from Image Comics, brings us ever closer to what is starting to feel like an inevitable conclusion in Family Tree. The horror and family drama elements are still going strong, just in different ways than before.
This is one family who has seen it all. If by all, you mean the fall of civilization as we know it. They’ve been through hell and back, and still, somehow have managed to stay together. Even when certain family members have taken on…different forms.
Created by Jeff Lemire, Phil Hester, Eric Gapstur, and Ryan Cody, Family Tree #10 brings readers ever closer to the conclusion of the series, leaving us with only two issues before the end. It’s amazing (and more than a little bit horrifying) to see how quickly this world has changed.
The Writing
As the world changes, so do the dynamics. The sense of family drama is still there, but in fewer quantities than before. In its place is a survivalist element, as Josh struggles for survival – both in the past, and in the present.
Family Tree #10 is another harrowing addition to this series. One that isn’t afraid to get more than a little bit speculative about the future. It’s hard to say if this is wishful thinking, or if it is well and truly horrifying. I imagine any doubt will be erased over the course of the next two issues.
As with the past two issues, this one divides its time between the past and the present. There’s no narrator to tell us when a switch occurs, and yet it is clear as day when it does occur. That is how dramatically the world has been changing.
It’s fascinating to see how much this one family has had to adapt in order to survive. In a way, the entire lot of them is almost unrecognizable between one point in time and the next. Done by intent, naturally. Though it does beg the question, how many more changes are in store for them?
The Art
The artwork inside Family Tree #10 is full of that stylized design we’ve come to expect at this point. Every page feels more organic than usual, which matches the theme and premise of the story with alarming accuracy.
Watching the characters age and grow has become a surprising highlight of this series. There are plenty of correlations to be made between then and their…less active family members. It’s quite clever, and credit should be given to the overall art style.
The color palette seemed to bring in lighter hues of green this time around, yet they appear to be serving a purpose. It helps to distinguish the fresh green of new growth. Versus the older trees and forests that become dominant later.
Conclusion
Family Tree #10 brings with it some dark changes, as well as some brighter moments as well. All of which will help make the reader even more curious to see how this series intends to conclude. After all, there are only a couple of issues left.
