Action Lab Danger Zone 2016
Written by Ram V
Illustrated by Alex Diotto, ROSH, Kel Nuttall
To recruit more Brigands to his cause Stilian engineers a prison break, freeing an old acquaintance by the name of Thorsten Grizzly and taking along a pyromaniac boy named Wilbur. In doing so he makes a new enemy. A bloodthirsty warlord named Mogh Davoran who’ll stop at nothing to retrieve the gold stolen from him during the prison break. On the run from both the authorities and Davoran, Stilian and his crew must try to find a way across the Niere into Krantal. But there is no rest for those with a dubious past. Too many ambitions fallen to regret. Too many scores left unsettled and old scores have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them to.
Okay so the opening for this one is fantastic! I love the cloak and dagger stuff and with the setting of this story the barkeep and a mysterious code that gets them to meet with a sellsword well it makes me excited for what’s to come. What I really like about this opening is the fact that the Governor who was going to execute him is pissed that he got off and taken away and still wants him dead and is now in play. That and the woman he’s meeting with has an iron mask so who knows what the real identity of this person truly is? Maybe it’s just me but I see possibilities in it that are probably not there but regardless that i’ve been drawn into the story in a new way in this form speaks volumes.
So as the group is in Cartaduan i’ve become even more impressed. One reason is the artwork this issue. I’ve been enjoying it but then the spotlight on one for sale slave with his blue tattoo’s and the look of the auctioneer well again I just feel the moment. The way that we see what’s going on here the use of the page layouts through their angles, perspective and even backgrounds help sell the time period and reputation of the city.
That flat out attacks aren’t coming and sneak attacks are is kind of brilliant in this situation. The group splits up, which let’s face it never really seems to work out well for them now does it? So we get to see which faction will be able to secure their targets and force Stilian’s hand. The way Ram has structured this story is extremely well done and flows even better. Even the slower parts where we are introduced to situations and people that may or may not become a part of the Brigands garner interest. It’s like we’ve been given that extra level in an RPG gaming session here.
Smart, sassy and full of lively characters, great characterisation of those with robust reputations this series continues to build, grow and become larger than I thought it could be. I’m very much enjoying the fact that Stilian fulfilling his quest will come at a cost and who will end joining him along the way is up in the air. This is a great way to keep your readers guessing and it’s working.