Zenescope Entertainment 2016
Written by Joe Brusha
Illustrated by Marc Rosete
Coloured by Walter Pereyra
Lettered by Fabio Amelia
Rick Murphy is a regular guy who’s starting a new family and new career as a Philadelphia police officer. But when the rookie cop stumbles onto the wrong case, it triggers a horrific tragedy as his life comes crumbling down around him. Devastated and broken, Rick is given the chance to seek vengeance on those who have destroyed his life. Now, with a
dark and mysterious power at his fingertips, Rick can seek the vengeance he thirsts for, but will the darkness ultimately be too much for him to control?
It’s a little too on the nose for a combination of Spawn and Ghost Rider for me. The concept is good and I wish something else had gone down then Rick’s trip to hell and being offered vengeance and brought back as an agent of Satan. I could brainstorm it a bit and see what I come up with but it’s just so familiar an origin for me.
If this is for Mature Readers then there’s no reason to hide Rick’s manhood. Other than being uncomfortable showing a man’s privates. Otherwise I gotta say the resurrection scene was incredibly well done. Also Marc’s eye for storytelling and his use of pages, panels, backgrounds, angles and perspective are fantastic. Loved the attention to detail here in the people we meet. This is some excellent interior artwork here.
I do like the story surrounding the corrupt Chief and making sure that since Rick’s body is missing that he’s been blamed for killing his pregnant wife and those hoods at the bar. Covering the assess of the bad guys is what the Chief is there for right and he’s on the short list after having Rick’s partner shot last issue. So that there’s a larger story outside of what Rick’s become is interesting to me. I’m looking forward to seeing them explored more and learning how far their corruption and influence reaches.
Then there’s the computer chick or whatever her real name is. We know she got a job here to gather information from the computer system and she’s pretty resourceful. I like that she and Rick in his new persona run into one another, literally. Hopefully this will end up becoming something of a partnership as they can use each other and their resources. It would make for some interesting reading.
There are quite nice develops happening here that scream to be explored, which they will as the story continues. It does have that quality leaving the reading wanting for more so that’s a good thing and you can see a growth in Joe’s writing where he’s becoming better. I wish we knew this girl’s name though that would be nice, like a moment when she’s at a computer saying you got this “___”. It would just help make her more human and accessible.
Outside my quip for Rick’s new origin this is a nice little story. There’s a secret group of men with power who abuse it, conspiracy theory nuts go wild, or an intrepid reporter/activist. There’s action/adventure and a bit of hellfire to really get you excited.