The Dark and Bloody #4 – A Haunting Confrontation with
the Past
Genre:
Horror, Supernatural Thriller, Southern Gothic
Main Characters:
- Iris
Gentry – A war veteran turned moonshine runner, haunted by his past in
Iraq and burdened by secrets he can't outrun.
- Ayah
– A vengeful spirit or cursed entity from Iraq, linked to Iris’s violent
past and driven by rage and sorrow.
- Dale
Gentry – Iris’s young son, caught in the crossfire of supernatural
revenge.
- Rhett
Gentry – Iris’s pregnant wife, fiercely protective and unsuspecting of
the horror about to reach her doorstep.
Writer:
Shawn Aldridge
Artist:
Scott Godlewski
Editor Details:
Edited by Rebecca Taylor
Publisher and Brand:
Vertigo Comics (an imprint of DC Comics)
Release Year:
2016
Brief Plot Summary:
In The Dark and Bloody #4, the terrifying aftermath
of Iris Gentry’s wartime actions begins to manifest in his rural Appalachian
life. With his dark past uncovered, Iris is sent away on a delivery run,
leaving his family vulnerable. Ayah, the spectral figure from his past, no longer
hides in the shadows—she arrives at the Gentry home with a singular goal: to
take Iris’s son. In her path stands a pregnant woman, a symbol of life and
innocence, but Ayah’s thirst for retribution threatens to destroy everything.
This chilling issue escalates the horror, pushing the boundaries between guilt,
consequence, and the supernatural.
Notable Arcs or Storylines:
- Ayah's
Revenge: This issue deepens Ayah's transformation from ominous
presence to active antagonist, cementing her role as both victim and
monster.
- Iris's
Guilt Materialized: The spiritual and emotional weight of Iris's
wartime choices become physically embodied through Ayah’s vengeance,
highlighting the psychological horror at the heart of the series.
Fan Theories or Interpretations:
Some readers speculate that Ayah may not be entirely
supernatural, but rather a symbolic projection of Iris's PTSD and guilt—an
imagined vengeance given life through Iris’s fractured psyche. Others believe
Ayah is a genuine ghost tied to a blood curse, a manifestation of ancestral or
karmic justice visiting Iris’s family due to the sins of war. The blurred line
between horror and psychological torment fuels ongoing fan debates about Ayah’s
true nature.
Review Summary:
The Dark and Bloody #4 is a suspense-laden, emotionally intense entry in the series. Shawn Aldridge delivers tightly-wound storytelling with deliberate pacing that intensifies the sense of dread. Scott Godlewski’s art elevates the narrative—his ability to balance visceral horror with subtle emotional expressions adds depth to each panel. The character dynamics, especially the vulnerability of Iris’s family and Ayah’s relentless drive, are handled with care, creating an eerie, haunting atmosphere that lingers after the final page. The horror isn’t just in the supernatural—it’s in the scars left behind by trauma.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
