🩸 The Hunt #1–4 (2016) – Comic Series Overview
📚 Genre
Supernatural Horror, Dark Fantasy, Folklore-Inspired Thriller
Blending eerie Irish folklore with modern horror elements, The Hunt delivers a psychological and supernatural thrill ride rooted in ancestral mythos and personal trauma.
🎭 Main Characters
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Orla Roche – A teenage girl with a dark connection to the spirit world. Strong-willed, intelligent, and emotionally scarred, Orla is the narrative's central figure.
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The Sluagh – Malevolent spirit creatures from Celtic mythology that haunt Orla’s lineage.
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Orla’s Father – Mysteriously withdrawn, emotionally distant, and a key figure in unlocking the dark family secrets.
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Local Priest & Community Members – Supporting characters who either deny, fear, or quietly acknowledge the supernatural undercurrents of the story.
✍️ Writer
Colin Lorimer – A multi-talented creator, Lorimer both wrote and illustrated The Hunt. His deep ties to Irish heritage shape the authenticity and emotional depth of the folklore-infused narrative.
🎨 Artist
Colin Lorimer – As the artist as well, Lorimer brings a haunting and atmospheric visual style that mirrors the narrative’s mood—dense shadows, eerie color palettes, and evocative character expressions heighten the sense of dread.
🖋️ Editor Details
Sierra Hahn – Known for her careful curation of offbeat and literary-leaning horror comics, Hahn’s editorial oversight ensures the story remains both grounded and chillingly imaginative.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
Publisher: Image Comics
Brand: Not under any sub-brand, released under Image’s creator-owned model. The series reflects the independent horror aesthetic that Image Comics is renowned for.
📆 Release Year
2016
Released monthly from July to October 2016, The Hunt unfolded over four issues.
🧠 Brief Plot Summary
Set in rural Ireland, The Hunt follows Orla Roche, a teenage girl who begins experiencing terrifying visions after witnessing the death of a loved one. As Orla digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling truth about her family's legacy—a bloodline tied to an ancient supernatural force known as the Sluagh. These dark spirits prey on the dying and are bound to a pact long forgotten by most, but not forgiven by the spirits themselves. The deeper Orla ventures into this shadowy realm, the more she learns about her own identity and the price of survival.
🔥 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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The Awakening – Orla’s traumatic experience at a funeral leads her to question what’s real and what’s spectral, marking her first brush with the Sluagh.
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The Pact – Midway through the series, Orla uncovers the generational curse that binds her family to the spirits, setting her on a path to confront both her heritage and the supernatural.
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The Reckoning – The climax brings Orla face to face with the consequences of ancestral sins and forces her into a harrowing decision between justice and vengeance.
🌀 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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🕯️ Symbolic Grief: Many readers interpret the Sluagh as metaphors for unprocessed grief and familial trauma, especially how emotional pain is passed through generations.
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🧬 Hereditary Horror: Some fans speculate that Orla's lineage is one of many families secretly bound to ancient supernatural contracts, hinting at a larger mythological universe.
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🔍 Unreliable Reality: A theory suggests that Orla may be experiencing a psychotic break, and the entire narrative could be viewed through the lens of trauma-induced hallucination.
🧾 Review Summary
The Hunt is a masterclass in atmospheric horror. Colin Lorimer's dual role as writer and artist allows for a seamless harmony between story and visuals. The art is grim yet beautiful, with a muted color scheme that captures the decaying charm of rural Ireland. Orla is a compelling protagonist—layered, believable, and resilient. The narrative is tightly paced across its four-issue arc, never overstaying its welcome while still offering depth and intensity.
If you're a fan of stories like The Wake, Wytches, or Locke & Key, this folklore-drenched psychological horror series is a must-read. 👁️🗨️🪦
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
