Harbor Moon

The protagonist of this graphic novel, Timothy Vance, does a great job of shaming all of us who complain about family reunions. After receiving a mysterious phone call from his absentee father, Tim shuffles off to the sleepy town of Harbor Moon, Maine, in search of the father he never knew. What he discovers is more disturbing than what one typically experiences when forced to spend some time with relatives. The story that ensues mixes noir with survival horror to good effect, thanks in large part to Sambor's compelling artwork, although he excels more at illustration then storytelling, which is often jumbled. Basically a pretty straightforward smalltown mystery with a monstrous twist in the second act, it's unmemorable but entertaining while it lasts. (Oct.)\