Image Comics 2015
Created & Written by Brian Joines
Created & Illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis
Coloured by Ron Riley
`The Recluse has found Gaijin and Crosswind downloading the team’s secrets and after accusing her of aiding Crosswind she tells him the truth of her situation. He then offers his help and it’s Crosswind who now has to worry since he’s behind the whole abduction Kayoto Tanaka. Who we see as well breaking free of his confinement and going on the run.
I appreciate that this story isn’t drag out this whole infiltration of Crosswind onto the team. It’s moving along rather nicely and while he does try to ingratiate himself with them the act seems to be more than he can really handle. The characterization here is excellent as we see each character really get a chance to showcase their personalities. Including the fly in of shame as a result of last issues hookup.
That we aren’t focusing solely on this Crosswind issue and that is happening simultaneously alongside other stories like Meredith’s ex-boyfriend who has noticed that aliens are heading towards Earth. She however was getting her groove on and ignored his calls last night meaning there’s no time to lose as these incoming aliens are arriving sooner than anyone realizes. Oh by the way that weird dude who is watching their approach on the tech built into the floor of his office, which is way cool, yeah something there is totally off kilter and I look forward to seeing why.
With Gaijin, the Recluse and Crosswind now knowing that Kayoto is on the run have split up to find him. Who finds him first and what happens should be experienced by the reader but suffice it to say that he’s going to play an important role in things should he survive this since when the Recluse finally finds him, after his own unique breakdown and needing a fix, when at that moment those incoming Aliens have arrived.
This is one heck of an interesting story the way it’s being laid out, told, the pacing, all of it really has this classic feel to it that reminds you of books that the industry has gotten away from. Instead of being too dark and trying to put them in leather’s this is colourful costumes and a classic comic book team feel book. It’s nice to see that modern storytelling and classic looks can be combined into a series again that can thrill readers.
Aside from the great writing the interior artwork goes a long way to giving this that classic feel, it’s hard to believe that I think of classic as 70’s/80’s style artwork now considering that’s what I grew up on. With fantastic attention to detail in the backgrounds, the characters themselves with facial expressions and the way their costumes flow this really has an exciting fresh and young feel to it that makes you smile again.
This is THE best alternative to what the “bigger” companies are doing mucking about with their team books.