HARU

As an evil force gains in strength, Haru delves deeper into their quest.

Jumping into the whimsical forest backdrop where the previous volume, Haru: Spring (2024), left off, bright blue bird Haru and their pig friend, Yama, continue their fight against the nightmarish skeleton creature Blight. Blight’s power has been steadily growing, eventually culminating in the creation of the fearsome Stone Golem. Meanwhile, Haru and Yama find themselves separated. Yama is still coming to terms with her possession of the cursed Stone Heart and its growing power over her, while Haru embarks upon a solitary journey, discovering more about Blight’s mysterious backstory as the forest’s secrets unfold. Friends Herb, Frei, and Goose (who’s Haru’s younger sibling) also have exciting side quests; observing the blending of the discrete plot threads is enthralling. Latham’s dreamy offering is thoughtfully rendered, with its enchanting worldbuilding and adroitly imagined characters, and it balances both the beauty and destruction that is nature. The pacing is thoughtful and measured (but never too slow), twisting and turning while exploring the themes of feelings, family, and friendship. The earthy palette breathes life into each panel, and the striking scarlet hues in the scenes containing Blight reinforce his villainy. As this series develops, it becomes more and more intriguing; readers will eagerly anticipate subsequent volumes.

A lush and immersive sequel to lose oneself in.