Image Comics 2014
Created & Written by Justin Jordan
Created & Illustrated by Kyle Strahm
Coloured by Felipe Sobreiro
I really liked how this issue opened. A rather feral boy is forced into fighting a dog only the boy manages to calm and befriend the dog. Now it does seem there was betting on the fight but the fact that the two bonded should be taken into account by the guy Mikel running the fight. Not that he seems smart enough to understand why. This community while seeming harsh is preparing to stay alive and it’s a contradiction we can’t often reconcile in our minds. Nicely done by Justin here.
Oh Jack is caught between a rock and a hard place if he’s to save No Name, Hope and looney tunes he has to free from slavers this guys people. Actually the dialoge here is pretty strong and interesting. Though generally when one asks for a name one is given in return but his mysterious authority works for him. So it looks like Jack doesn’t have much of a choice here.
With some great writing we have an interlude with a bear just so we won’t forget that the Spread is still active. This is a great reminder of the ferocity of both beasts. Not to mention the replication and resiliency of the Spread. This is such a monstrous thing, virus or whatever it is and just this little reminder is enough to showcase how terrifying this world has become.
Ah I really like Jack as he goes about his business to free the man’s people he just demonstrates that he’s this big ole baby in this huge and powerful body. So when faced by the dead man’s friends things look like they are about to get out of control. But looks can be deceiving and Jack’s come across the folks from the opening of the issue and their leader Dylan Merriweather. These two, Jack and Dylan, know each other. This changes the plans for what Jack has planned to do.
That we keep getting so many varied looks at this world is what keeps it fresh and interesting. Sure the journey No is making with Molly and Hope has an ending we’ve seen that much but it’s the journey itself that has defined these characters and Justin’s doing that so very well for us. This world is complex and scary as people are just doing their best to survive, the Spread and each other. That if a group is too large we’ve seen what happens, the Spread has a better chance of infiltrating and decimating it.
Kyle’s work on this series has shown his growth as an artist. I mean we love how he’s able to showcase expressions and persona’s of these characters. From Molly’s craziness, a result of all she’s been through, to No’s hard demeanor to Jack’s well just being himself Kyle really can tell us so much about them without having words involved.
I love that these guys have created something so unique and interesting. It has it’s own subtle power behind it and thrusts readers into situations where you don’t know how to react and feel because you can’t imagine having to live through them. Still you can’t look away and you want to understand and see how they react.