Haunt: The Apparition War (Comics) | Review

The first volume established the premise: brother murdered, ghost returns, priest becomes weapon. Haunt: The Apparition War picks up exactly where Beginning left off but the training wheels come off fast. Daniel Kilgore officially joins the Agency that got his brother killed.

Greg Capullo (Batman: Bloom, Batman: Endgame) moves from layouts to full penciling duties here, bringing a sharper visual consistency to the supernatural carnage. This arc collects issues 6 through 12, spanning Daniel's baptism by fire as an operative and the emergence of something far worse than crime bosses or rogue agents.

The Apparition enters the story, a force that makes Haunt look fragile by comparison. What worked about Beginning continues here with improved pacing, though the spy thriller elements sometimes clash with the supernatural horror Kirkman wants to inject.

Daniel reluctantly accepts a position with the Agency after Kurt's murder gets resolved. Director Beth Tosh oversees his training and field integration. The transition creates friction. Daniel resists violence while Kurt pushes efficiency and ruthlessness. Their arguments intensify as missions demand bloodshed, exposing incompatibility.

Issue 6 presents a retelling from Mirage's perspective, revealing her role in Kurt's conspiracy that killed Kurt. She worked undercover within Mr. Hurg's organization, attempting to recover stolen research. Her perspective adds context while establishing her as Daniel's handler.

Training sequences dominate the middle issues. Daniel learns combat techniques, weapons handling and tactical thinking. A tech specialist joins his support team. Another operative develops romantic interest in Daniel. These supporting characters feel underdeveloped, existing primarily to push Daniel into the Agency culture.

The Apparition makes its first appearance midway through the volume. Unlike Mr. Hurg or Cobra, this entity represents something beyond human threats. It possesses the same ectoplasmic abilities as Haunt but with greater strength, speed and durability.

More disturbing, it seems specifically designed to hunt Haunts, targeting the supernatural bond between Daniel and Kurt. The creature's origins remain mysterious, though hints suggest it serves as a cosmic corrective force, eliminating unnatural spiritual tethers that shouldn't exist.

Confrontations with the Apparition reveal Haunt's limitations. Daniel gets overpowered repeatedly. The ectoplasmic claws that shredded assassins prove ineffective. Kurt's tactical knowledge can't compensate for the power differential. These encounters push Daniel toward desperation, forcing reliance on Kurt's combat instincts.

Alegria returns from the first arc, the spiritually aware test subject who can perceive Kurt's ghost independently. She provides exposition about Haunts and their place in supernatural hierarchy. According to her knowledge, Daniel and Kurt exist in violation of natural law.

The Apparition exists to enforce that separation, erasing both the ghost and its living anchor from existence. Her warnings establish stakes beyond physical death, threatening complete erasure from reality. This transforms the conflict from survival into existential dread.

The arc climaxes with a confrontation between Haunt and the Apparition that completely alters Daniel's situation. Events force him to confront uncomfortable truths about his bond with Kurt and their arrangement. The ending introduces complications that extend beyond this volume, setting up the conflict that dominates the third arc.

Mr. Hurg resurfaces briefly as the Agency moves against his organization following the exposure in Beginning. The fitness-obsessed crime boss proves difficult to corner. This sub-plot feels like cleanup from the first arc, demonstrating Daniel's improved field performance.

What separates The Apparition War from Beginning is scale. Conspiracy elements diminish as supernatural threats take center stage. Daniel's development focuses less on solving mysteries and more on accepting his role as weapon. The relationship shifts from constant argument toward reluctant cooperation. Both have changed.

Greg Capullo handles penciling duties, with Todd McFarlane (Spawn: Beginnings, Spawn: Dark Discoveries) adding distinctive inking. The collaboration creates visual tension. Capullo stages action dynamically. McFarlane's inking dominates, delivering that signature dark aesthetic.

Haunt's design draws obvious parallels to Venom and Carnage, which makes sense given McFarlane's history co-creating Venom. The ectoplasmic suit features sharp, flowing lines with organic quality. It's striking work, though derivative enough that readers might struggle seeing past it. Where art succeeds most is atmosphere.

Kirkman establishes character through action rather than exposition. Daniel's reluctance shows before transformation. Kurt's personality emerges through manipulative dialogue. Pacing moves fast. The Apparition appears monstrous and irregular, unlike Haunt's sleek form.

Weaknesses from Beginning persist. Supporting characters lack depth. Dialogue often falls flat. The tech specialist and romantic interest feel like genre tropes. The standalone issue 6 shows Beginning's events from Mirage's perspective. However, it interrupts momentum, functioning as extended flashback than forward progression.

Haunt: The Apparition War delivers a violent supernatural thriller with solid craftsmanship. The Kirkman-McFarlane collaboration produces what you'd expect: dark, intense storytelling supported by strong artwork. This volume introduces characters deserving exploration.

Readers who enjoy spy fiction with supernatural elements will appreciate this. Fans of McFarlane's style get what they want. Those seeking innovation might feel underwhelmed. Haunt: The Apparition War offers solid value. It's not revolutionary and won't redefine superhero comics but tells a competent story.

The volume directly continues from Beginning and sets up conflicts that dominate Volume 3, where the Apparition threat escalates significantly. The arc represents middle chapter storytelling, developing what came before while planting seeds for future complications.

Greg Capullo's elevation to full penciling duties marks a visual shift worth acknowledging. His work becomes more prominent throughout this volume, showcasing dynamic action staging and detailed character work. This volume demonstrates his range beyond layout work.

Haunt: The Apparition War is available as Haunt Vol. 2 in trade paperback and digital editions. The collection can be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local comic-book shop and is digitally accessible via ComiXology and Image Comics' official website.