Boom! Studios 2017
Written by Kurt Sutter & Courtney Alameda
Illustrated by Hyeonjin Kim
Coloured by Jean-Paul Csuka
Lettered by Jim Campbell
It’s funny I can already see this on the big screen or perhaps as an original movie event on one of the cable stations, IFC would be a good fit. It may not be written to be that but it’s that quality about it. There’s an inherent interest factor in the way they are writing this that makes you envision it on that huge screen even when holding it in your hands, it’s that trick of the mind that allows that for me.
The characterisation here is phenomenally well done. I mean Captain Penn is one you want to and are supposed to hate and he makes it so easy. His son was a monster and he knew it and didn’t do anything about it so he got what he deserved last issue. Now the Captain makes it crystal clear what he is, what he’s about and what he’s going to do and none of it is pretty or even legal. Unfortunately this kind of abuse of power is all too common in not just the police, look at #45, and yet as cliche as it is it still works perfectly.
I like the interior artwork here. While there’s a lot of darkness in what we see the linework isn’t overly heavy and that makes a huge impact on how we see this. His use of page layouts and how he uses angles and perspective show a good solid eye for storytelling. The utilisation of backgrounds and the attention brought to bear here is nicely done. Plus Eli’s eyes are a moment in this story I wasn’t expecting and somehow captures an essence beautifully.
Speaking of Eli it’s nice to see outside characters being brought in. That Eli is who he is and knows what his sister is capable of and willing to not only look the other way knowing what she’s going to do but offers to do it for her well has this whole unexpected characterisation that can only come from such a meeting between Eli and Greta.
With Captain Penn hellbent on getting Dominique in jail for the murder of his son, so hellbent he’s willing to go outside the law to ensure she pays, the girls have little time to do what needs doing. Though I have to say Greta surprised me today and throughout the entire issue as she comes to life in a way that’s both scary as hell as well her finally getting past the events that sidelined her and got into that house. We are learning more about her than I was anticipating and I have to say she’s one badass kind of bitch. Hard to believe she found herself abused by her Ex.
This is all kinds of magnificent. It’s got the drama we need, the revenge factor that we crave and the characters and characterisation that bring the soap opera quality. The blend is masterfully put together so that it all flows as smooth as silk. There’s also plenty of intrigue here and in different ways, we can guess what’s going to happen based on established patterns and as a reader we want to see if we’re right then of course there’s intrigue in who’s going to crack or make it work, yes Captain Penn’s attempt at the weakest link.
Boom! Shouldn’t surprise anyone anymore with the quality of stories they bring to the table. Solid, fun and kinda hellbent crazy this thoroughly entertains.