Image Comics 2016
Created, Written & Illustrated by Kaare Kyle Andrews
Lettered & Designed by Jeff Powell
Flats by Alice Ito
The One% own more than half the world's wealth. They've crashed economies, bought
governments, and have amassed more power than any other group in history. And they still don't have enough. With this kind of power how can anyone make them pay? WHO will make them pay? Enter Renato Jones, a mysterious vigilante, out to even the score. And when he enters the fray THE SUPER-RICH ARE SUPER F***ED.
Alright so I read this and was like okay this is all kinds of awesome. Kaare is one of those creators who does everything so what you read and see on the page is exactly what he wants you to see to make the maximum impact. Also he’s got a great mind as well what he conceives and brings to the table can be both complex and diverse. This is the kind of story that we all secretly want to have happen, those One% who think they live above the law and influence too much policy in the United States, as they get what they deserve.
The characterization here is pretty spectacular. Renato isn’t your usual man nor was he your usual kid either. We see the abbreviated origin of his life here, I say that because we never truly learn a few key things like where he learns to fight, though that is suggested, or why he hates the One% so much, again that’s inferred here as well. While his formative years are more a mystery than not the end result we see on display here takes the whole Modern Day Robin Hood to a whole new level.
I’m impressed that Kaare was able to bring us so much back story here as well as keep the action flowing in the now. It was a nice blending of the two which created that whole picture while leaving a lot open to interpretation and further exploration. By the way since he’s illustrating this as well and he’s got a brilliant eye for storytelling when it comes to pages, panels and how they should flow it should come as no surprise that the biggest standouts are the most unexpected. For me it was Jakarta where it looked like the scene in the crowd was from a folded up piece of paper. I thought the impact that had was really rather impressive.
The advertisements here are pretty well done too. I like the photo’s that make up the mock perfume and comics ads. So using that throughout was pretty brilliant and whomever posed for them should be credited somewhere. My favourite was the couple by the car in front of that massive home. They also do a lot to just make this more absurd or impactful as to what Kaare is trying to say and that may be open for interpretation to the individual but they do make a statement.
I can’t wait till the adult themes come into play here and I was hoping, yes I know i’m a deviant, that seeing that table in the vault would’ve led to something heh heh. There’s something about the elite of the elite where sexual deviancy seems to be the accepted norm so I do look forward to seeing how that gets depicted, and hopefully it’ll end up being equal opportunity.
So come learn about Renato Jones and see how circumstances in one’s life can ultimately change your destiny. It’s one heck of thrill ride that’ll leave you panting for more!