Image Comics 2017
Written by Pablo Raimondi & Klaus Johnson
Illustrated by Pablo Raimondi
Coloured by Chris Chuckry
Lettered by Tom Orzechowski
This could be among my new favourite series that are coming out. I mean the reveal of who these people are, the race that they come from and what they represent is revealed here in a way that continues immediately from last issue. I love that too by the way that one issue leads directly into the next so we don’t have that downtime or lag where we’re supposed to just accept they get somewhere safely. While I would’ve paid extra for it I’d love to have seen this and the first issue as one of those giant sized first issue specials.
The pacing of the story is really rather well done. I’m impressed with how I see the story unfold before us. With Adrian filling in the pieces a bit as he forces Josh to not only follow him but explain in detail what he’s been through. So we get that quick timeline of how he met the family and we see the events that occurred in the hotel as well. The way the whole thing is presented is something keeps your attention glued to the page because you really don’t want to miss anything.
Also we see Adrian bring attention to a few things that are going to be important to the story moving forward. So while we’re seeing how things just unfolded the story is also simultaneously moving forward. I really am finding myself really very impressed with what we’re seeing in these pages it has the right amount of action/adventure to go with some mystery and a whole lot of questions left unanswered to really engage the reader’s mind and imagination.
Also the interiors here are equally as impressive. I love this realistic comic book style that Pablo brings to this. The linework is impressive, expressive and how it’s able to showcase feelings and emotions of the characters really gives this an extra characterisation boost. His use of page layouts through angles, perspective and the amazing attention to detail in everything including the backgrounds really make a huge statement. Plus if you look at Josh you’ll see the family’s effect until it’s worn off and that’s important to the storytelling.
I like the idea of Adrian being who he is but also a Priest. Father Adrian has a nice ring and what he knows, tells Josh and by extension us, and how he introduces us to some other characters has that whole feel that his collar is more a cover than a calling. It’s like he’s the star of the book now and Josh is kind of incidental but instrumental at the same time after all an ordinary human wouldn’t have survived what happened to him. Oh and let’s not forget his girlfriend is pregnant with his child too so there’s a whole avenue to explore with him as Adrian tries to figure out how to contain the damage that’s been done.
The family is now free to unleash their full fury upon the world apparently with only a handful of folks who are even aware of who and what they are. So now it’s time to explore their past, present and future while the boys find a way to get to safety. The night's still young and they are being pursued after all.
Yeah has everything it takes to be the next big series from Image and if it continues with this level of storytelling it’ll be just that.