Titan Comics 2016
Written by Anthony Del Col & Conor McCreery
Illustrated by Neil Edwards
Coloured by Ivan Nunes
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
With more than just the Templars now on their tail, the splintered Assassin cell is desperate to regroup. But with Galina calling the shots, Charlotte is put in a position that makes her question just what she’s got herself into... And with the memories of her ancestor Quila proving more and more tantalizing, will she be able to follow orders and be a real member of the team?
I think a part of me is more intrigued by the trips Charlotte takes to the past than what’s happening in the present. Granted i’m still not quite sure what Charlotte wants to learn by jumping into her ancestors but you got to admit what we see when she does is pretty amazing. If you have any doubt about the authenticity of some things the portray read the “letters” page section at the end of the issue and you’ll see they do research in order to make this accurate as possible. That alone is the kind history stuff we get from watching PBS or one of the many channels on cable. It also ups my interest factor in the series threefold.
Quila is also a very high spirited young lady, much like Charlotte herself so it’s not surprising to see how this issue starts off. While women in the past if not born to noble blood weren’t really celebrated, excepted or prominent figures I’m guessing some like Quila wanted more out of life than was expected of them. This is alright it’s not sexist in any way it is an accurate depiction of life at that time. Since we know so little of Inca and MesoAmerican life liberties need to be taken and I love seeing what we do here.
While motivations and plans are simpler in those times the modern stuff that’s another matter entirely. I’ve kind of lost track what the trio is supposed to be doing. It seems the more they are on the defensive the more their mission becomes cloudy. Hopefully they’ll have a chance to go on the offensive before too long and remind us what they are fighting for. Still it’s not a bad thing either as honestly I want to be reminded of what’s at stake for them other than the immediate threat to their lives. Sometimes tangents help you focus once you get back to where you started when went on one. While i’m sure the boys think this a progression i’ll see it this way as the arcs of the series go different routes until it’s time for things to “meet” up again.
I’m such a huge fan of Neil and what he does. I mean the way the pages, panels and everything he puts on them is utilized to tell the story is so well thought out. I could see this being used as storyboarding for an animated movie, based on this book. His people are wonderful to behold regardless of who they are or where they come from. The attention to detail here is delightful and even his interpretation of a Quipu while not exact, it can’t possibly be and still be used in these pages, is thoughtfully done in a manner to keep as close as possible. Oh and let’s face Ivan is a colouring genius so the two of them make this so much dynamic.
Going beyond the source material to bring us an action/adventure/intrigue story full of highs, lows and everything in between this is how you break the mold of the original source.