451 Media 2016
Created by GEorge Pelecanos
Written by Andi Ewington
Penciled by Ty Dazo & Mack Chater
Inked by Mack Chater, David Forrest & Marc Peruggia
Coloured by Dee Dunniffee
There are many definitions for the word “sacrifice.” but if you don’t sacrifice for what you want, what want will be sacrificed. At the conclusion of last issue we saw what the Six were willing to do to protect sarah and her farm from the onslaught of the Mexican cartel and do what they’ve done in battle far too many times: bury their dead. You don’t have to die for the people you love. You need to live for them too. You need to live because only the dead see the end of war. And ass much as one prays for peace those who have fought for freedom, for family, for life will tell you--the fight has no end. May God have mercy upon the cartel, because the Six won’t…
This was one heck of a story. Aside from the premise which is a good place to start from what Andi does with these characters is amazing. From the moment they decided to take that gold and fake their deaths and live life on the downlow they were marked. Marked for what is another story or theory but ten years is a good run after the fact. Honour, family and commitments are worthy things to break their cover for and go do what needs doing and looking back there really is no other way for this to have ended.
Wait backup a minute. How does this end? That’s something you’ll have to read and interpret for yourself. Still the team stemmed off Juan’s attack and sent him running and he isn’t the cartel boss. So he has to answer for his actions and the loss of men under his command. I like the writing for this it was a nice twist surprise for me. Respect it’s something hard to gain with these types but easy to lose and it’s rare you get more than one chance to redeem yourself. So can he redeem himself, for Juan there’s only one way to do that.
I really was kind of sad to see that many members of the team die last issue but for the story to be what it is they had to. Otherwise a firefight like that wouldn’t have been as successful or as believable. I’m really impressed with how the whole series has been scripted. It’s nice to see that at least Hashtag, Luke, has decided to stay behind and make his future here. There’s nothing for him at home and well after the events that have transpired it makes sense. I was kind of hoping that Sarge, James, would’ve stayed behind with Sarah. Then of course there was that little bombshell moment that I thought would change his mind.
I really thought that perhaps this was going to end a different way, and I don’t want to say with a happy ever after because those so rarely happen for people like them but still. So what happens at home was James, Sarge, tying up loose ends alright. Interesting to see to be honest.
The interiors here have been exceptionally well done. The flow of the book, the use of page layouts, angles and perspective really get you into the story. The realness brought to us and the way bruises and injuries are presented really do give us this complete look at the action that’s taken place. I would’ve like more use of backgrounds by why quibble.
Overall this has been an exceedingly well done series. Brutal, honest and at times completely unexpected in what we see. I’m sorry to see the series go.