Image Comics 2014
Written by Alex De Campi
Illustrated by Carla Speed McNeil
Coloured by Jenn Manley Lee
Well with this fourth issue things are taking more of a turn that I had expected it to take but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exciting to watch unfold. The characterization Alex is giving us among the remaining students who’ve been left behind seems to indicate they’ve finally gotten over the initial shock of what’s happened and have moved on to the next stage and that’s falling back on being scared, alone and lost making them act like children again.
I’m a little surprised that they haven’t done something more sensible since Sister Ines and Anthony went off towards the nearest town like find water, check what’s left of their bags for food and try to building a makeshift shelter anything that even remotely looks like a survival technique? Sure they put their faith in their fellow travelers but with the sun rising and water nowhere in sight i’d started to do something. Perhaps it’s another state of affairs that the younger generations are so reliant on technology they’ve grown too soft and lost something in the realm of self preservation.
Just the fact that i’m asking these questions should tell you how well Alex is writing this story. She’s really putting together something great here. It’s also really nice to see more of the kids personalities emerging and some of the quirks they have as well as high strung opinions at the moment due to their current situation. I like that when Kira is off going to the bathroom is when Gina says she has snacks and shares them with them, though when Kira gets back she makes a big to do about not getting much and name calling ensues. When we learn why Gina has all this candy it’s something else entirely and well Kira should feel bad but I doubt she does, i’m not sure she’s a good person.
So after the altercation Travis and Gina go off on their own, not the smartest plan but they incoming freshman right so i’m not too surprised though it does make for more interesting after what happens next. While they do find water and Sister Inez is in the hospital, Anthony having indeed rescued her, the boys been taken back to camp by a rather dark, sinister gangster type drug lord that I have been waiting for since the old man got on the bus with all those drugs. Oh the end of this issue just screams at me making me want the next now instead of thirty days down the road I’m not sure i can stand the antici………..pation of it all.
I wasn’t sure where Alex was going to go with this story and she seemed to be throwing me off the scent the last two issues but I have to give her mondo credit here because i’m so involved and enthralled by these kids and where they find themselves. It’s a gripping almost all too true look at life and this could have been featured on In An Instant. I love that there isn’t spandex in sight and it’s really all about human drama because she’s mastered that here.
Carla and Jenn continue their outstanding job bringing this all to life as well. They really have done an exceptional job giving each kid a look that fits their personality and is descriptive, expressive and all around enjoyable.
No Mercy is what you should expect when you read this because no one here is holding back.