Boom! Studios 2015
Created & Written by Justin Jordan
Illustrated by Jorge Coelho
Coloured by Tamra Bonvillain
Lettered by Ed Dukeshire
There really is something about this that gets more fun with each issue. Though I have to admit that the lack of focus on John here made me a little sad as it’s really his antics and perspective that make this so unique. Though letting both our muscled hunk of a bad guy and the cops not to mention Berry have some more time in the spotlight i’m never going to object to.
If our bad guy here is the opposite of John, focused and determined, well hell he’s one scary as hell dude, like a human Terminator. That he was willing to go to all that violent extreme to empty the police station out so he can get to John I mean wow. Sure he could’ve done with a whole lot less loss of life, really none if he wanted to, but that he didn’t and he loved every minute of it should be something abhorrent but i’m oddly fascinated by it because it’s an integral part of who he is. I can’t imagine what he was like before the experiments but dang son look at him now.
What happens at the station was well exceedingly violent, incredibly creative and most of all extremely revealing. As much as we’d like to think otherwise cops just aren’t prepared for an all out assault on them by one very well trained, well armed and determined individual that’s just a plain fact. Heck it was illuminating to see Andy and Berry in action but even they were pretty much outclassed not only by his ruthlessness but his body armour as well. Still I should have been appalled by the sheer amount of violence, death and destruction here but it fit so perfectly into the story there’s no denying that it was kind of necessary and integral.
We saw John try to talk to this guy before but the way this issue ends maybe next issue we will learn everything alongside him. I will say this ending did take me by surprise but then after I thought about it, it really couldn’t go any other way.
This is a gem of find a purely fun, interesting book with unique characters who shouldn’t be able to work together and yet do with surprising ease. Justin’s writing is incredibly well honed with it’s pacing, character development along the little twists, turns and reveals.
Jorge and Tamra really do a marvelous job in bringing this to life. The super contrast between the John and his opposite is striking and powerful. Berry’s subdued manner and inner turmoil come through their work. They bring that unique joy which is John’s world crashing down around us so we don’t want to leave.
If you haven’t tried this yet then order the trade because I promise you’ll appreciate the entire story.