Valiant Entertainment 2015
Written by Ales Kot
Illustrated by Adam Gorham
Coloured by Michael Spicer
I’m digging this story and I have only peripheral clues as to what it’s about. Oh and this girl who has the vial isn’t spotlighted more or showcased in other books then there’s a mistake being made because with her grit, determination and parkour skills she’s quite a fascinating young woman and deserves more attention. Perhaps it’s just how Ales is showcasing her but really I want to know more about her and how she knows of the Vine.
Once X-O couldn’t capture her, she really did a number of genius moves on him, Neville decides he’s going to put someone else on her trail and this issue It’s Archer who goes after her. I love Archer and his whole demeanor which is captured perfectly here as we see him waking up and then his chase with the girl it’s great spotlight on the character. Plus i’m always a fan of a guy having to run around in his underwear in public.
One of the things that stands out to me is Ales use of the then and now technique because he utilizes very well. This isn’t standard use either it’s jumping around to different points in the day throughout the story and it’s amazing fun to see it done like this. Then of course there are moments in the dialogue that just crack you up and on the train with Archer calling her terrorist in his boxers and the whole conversation they have and the use of the expression “dear esteemed small person” makes it abundantly clear why I love Ales writing.
Why no one has been able to get this girl, Reiko, to sit down and talk is beyond me. She thinks she’s doing something good for humanity the agents being led by Neville don’t have much information on her and both sides think the other are working in concert with the Vine. With both Archer and the girl mentioning the Vine they should be sitting down to talk with one another and figure out just what the heck is going on.
Oh big clue is Neville himself and his assessment of the situation and what we see. I’m not so sure this is Neville or if it truly is then this is the story that blows this universe up and shakes things up in every book Valiant publishes.
I am a huge of how this book ends, what’s the old saying “out of the mouths of babes” yeah and that’s something Archer can understand and what happens next well I’m more curious than ever to know what the heck is going on here.
I don’t know what it is about Ales and his writing that goes hand in hand with artwork that isn’t traditional but for whatever reason it works extremely well together. Adam and Michael manage to really bring this adventure to life wonderfully. There are just so many moments that stick out in your head from this issue thanks to the writing and artwork that make this as much a standout as it is.
Valiant knows what to do with their characters and who to get to bring them to life.