REVIEW: 'Postal' #12 by Bryan Hill, Isaac Goodhart, and Betsy Gonia

★★★★☆ (4/5)

The latest arc for Image/Top Cow’s ‘Postal’ series comes to an end while opening the door for more trouble. As if Molly the sociopath wasn’t enough of a threat within the confines of Eden there’s forces outside looking for answers. First, Molly has to be neutralized before any more people get hurt and Mark and Sheriff Magnum  put upon themselves to see that happen. It’s another intriguing chess move by the characters in this eerie crime thriller that keeps delivering. 

Bryan Hill has been practically flawless since he's taken over as sole writer on 'Postal' and here he mostly delivers another compelling issue but unfortunately the arc goes out on more of a whimper than a bang. That's not to say it's not enjoyable because it is but perhaps because Hill had raised expectations in Molly, the unstable murderous young paramour of Mark who's under the protection of her FBI director father, who was the wildcard of this present arc and was too efficiently dealt with in issue twelve.

Molly had become a great villain who was unpredictable and ruthless. She had her sights on Mark and was determined to be his friend whether he wanted to or not. She shockingly took out her rival in Maggie and put her in the hospital. There wasn't much Mark's mom and mayor, Laura, could about containing Molly since the psycho was being protected by her father who also happens to be shielding the town of Eden from exposure. So Mark devises a plan that works but perhaps a little too well eliminating a lot of suspense. 

Isaac Goodhart and Betsy Gonia continue to do stellar work wrapping 'Postal' in a kind of rural noir where shadows rules and the tension is hightened with dynamic layouts. Gonia infuses some warm colors that create an uncomfortably cozy setting in certain scenes involving skeletons. The art of the series is on an ascension, expotentially getting better with every issue. 

Despite being too efficient in resolving the Molly problem, 'Postal' #12 still delivers a good amount of intrigue and action. It was interesting to see Mark and the Sheriff work together and the ending opens up some great new dangers. The series will resume in June so be sure to preorder with your shop. 'Postal' remains a must-read.