Top Cow Productions/Image Comics 2016
Created & Written by Zack Kaplan
Illustrated by Giovanni Timpano
Coloured by Chris Northrop
Lettered by Troy Peteri
Not only does Bax get closer to understanding just how the city's mysterious killer avoids burning in the deadly sunlight, but also with Cielo's help, he learns more about the city's secrets and the killer's origins. But will it be enough to help Bax protect her before the killer strikes again?
I am completely into this story, what Zack is doing here is such a nice buildup with each issue that the tension, not to mention the stakes, rise. With Bax learning more and more and getting himself deeper and deeper in what’s happening with his unexpected new ally the mystery becomes more murky. Yes we learn about the killer and something of his motives but the real reason he’s doing this remains more elusive. It’s this combination that keeps me coming back well that and the characterisation Zack provides.
As we open we see the moment Bax life changed forever, not the event itself but when he finally finds his wife and daughter. It’s not much but it speaks volumes and as a reader we can only imagine what that has done to him mentally and emotionally. It also starts to explain a few things like his relationship with Val.
Last issue they found the church where all those people were killed. We also get a glimpse into the killer’s lair here as well. What better place to use as your lair than an abandoned church full of the dead. If Bax weren’t such a good detective i’m not sure they would’ve found his secret room. The more we see of Bax the more you kind of realise there’s more to him than meets the eye and while he’s been a trusted individual because he basically works without asking questions this is changing who he is once again. It’s that change and seeing him come out of shell that is the most fascinating aspect of the story.
Giovanni, oh my stars and garters. What he does here is utterly fantastic! The way he uses page layouts with angles, perspective and the unparalleled use of these backgrounds just bring this world to life with aplomb. That moment with the wall and the clippings and the way we see it present it’s powerful and awe inspiring. The emotions he can bring to the page is superbly done and the characters with their all too human look and feel to them do wonders in making this so accessible. Chris’ colouring with light sources and all that really helps to highlight what’s happening on the page. Together they are really do justice to this story and i’m not sure it would be as successful without them.
The more we learn the less clear what’s happening. However from where all this seems to be leading there’s a secret group operating behind the scenes and they are doing things in the name of themselves by way of the people that could be despicable. Suddenly we’re going to a place with conspiracy theories and a much larger more dangerous place than just a lone man out for revenge. It also looks like he may have good reason to seek this revenge and that prospect is chilling.
Superbly written through story development, characterisation and with incredible interior artwork this is unlike any disaster thriller mystery you’ll ever encounter.