Dark Horse Comics 2018
Written by Justin Jordan
Pencilled by Andres Ponce
Inked by Mauro Vargas
Coloured by Dan Jackson
Lettered by Nate Piekos of Blambot
Amidst the throes of the Mexican Revolution, an international spy and legendary lover finds himself drawn into another conflict--one that may decide the fate of humanity itself!
I complain all the time that there are no original ideas out there as we see so many remakes and re-imaginings. For me this is something that is both established yet completely original because it’s set in the video game world but since they don’t have the elaborate stories this is completely a stand alone story. Whomever decided to start the trend should be awarded something because it does open up that avenue for unique and original storytelling. Also who better to do something like this than Justin?
I don’t care what era, century or whatnot a story is set in when there’s a dashing ne’er-do-well spy type character I want to see him seduce men and women in a story. After all sometimes it would seem appropriate for that to happen but we never see it so even just ONCE I'd like to see it happen. I say this because Señor Necall is that almost ideal version of that Latin lover whose appeal is universal to say the least. He is one of the most interesting characters I have seen lately and the whole idea of him permeates the book every time we see him. So the characterisation here is just beyond anything we should expect and levels above anything I’ve seen elsewhere.
I am enjoying the way this is structured as we experience the ebb & flow of the book. Starting with that opening which is so gosh darn classic, seduce the girl steal the plans and then make your daring escape upon being discovered. It really does tell you pretty much everything we need to know about him as it also introduces the story beautifully. The way we see the introduction of characters, good or bad or anything in between, has a nice rhythm to it. It gives just enough clues about what is going on without giving anything away. Justin whom I already adore has taken this to a new level and I cannot get over how much I love what I am seeing here.
Andres lays down the pencils here and he’s got Mauro and Dan putting the finishing touches on it so that the interiors shine and compliment the story beautifully. The attention to detail here is sensational and that we see such a strong sure hand manipulating that linework through it’s varying weights to achieve that makes me happy. I had forgotten how good an artist Andres was and that’s a shame because we really need to see more of it. That the backgrounds we see have that same level of detail and attention to them helps expand the moments perfectly while also expanding the size and scope of the book. The utilisation of page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows off Andres superb eye for storytelling. Dan is one of the best colourists in the business and when you see Señor Necall in all his glory with that yellow, orange and brown with the highlights and light sources sigh. Also that everyone else seems pale in comparison is beautifully done.
Bring on the journey and adventure as Alistair Rhodes tries to find this supposed great power. If this necklace is a map as he claims it to be then I hope this turns into an Indiana Jones style story as the religious zealots and zombies try to stop him from making the world safe once again. Now while Diego has claimed to not be interested in being his companion I hope and pray he changes his mind.
I don’t know if there is a descriptive term above extraordinary to describe the writing here but if there is then someone more articulate than I should share it with us. The plot & story development, the pacing and the characterisation really stunningly spectacular and with interior artwork that matches perfectly it makes this a book that should take the lead in your reading pile.