Amigo Comics 2018
Written by Massimo Rosi
Illustrated by Eduardo Mello
Coloured by Anelli
Lettered by Monkey Typers
Tony's desperate search to find his beloved daughter continues, sinking lower and lower into the dark reaches of the futuristic city of Phoenix. Police can't do much and the forces of Epicuros haven't destroyed little Skye yet. Only her father cares about her. And it is time for him to descend even deeper... to arm himself!
I really like this book and while it has this familiar theme to it the way it is being brought to life is completely original and entertaining. In the first issue we see how Tony’s life is turned upside down as his husband is murdered and their daughter kidnapped, mainly because she’s pure human unless I missed something, and while the police are involved let’s face it they aren’t as focused on him and his daughter. I loved how it set things up for this issue and that Massimo is able to keep the flow of the book moving from the first issue through the end of this one.
The opening for this issue is so on point and picks right up where the last left off. The way this is structured is sensational to see. I don’t think we’ve seen such a great look into someone’s life as we see here when they put Tony on that chair and we see what he’s about. That and when we get to the scene where his life turned upside down that reaction from this big ole badass is something that sticks with the reader. It almost humanises him in a way that you never expected to see and quite frankly I love that Massimo is able to do that regularly throughout the book.
I am really enjoying how the introduction of characters we see is handled. It fleshes out this world in some really nice ways that make me think if this takes off like it should, so order it from your local comic shoppe, it can be revisited again. Tony might not be the lead but that’s okay because I really like Detective Arnhem and would totally enjoy arcs featuring him, with Tony if he survives this. That these characters are so likeable each for their own unique properties shows why I hold the work Massimo does in such high regard. He really is able to create some truly wonderfully unique worlds that he fleshes out as naturally as you and I breathe.
I really do love the interior artwork here. The linework is so solid and to be able to bring all these cyborg elements to the characters in different ways utilising the varying weights shows a very strong, steady and creative hand and eye. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels shows us a great eye for storytelling. The way backgrounds are utilised is nicely done and everywhere we see them they expand the moment and bring a good sense of size and scope to the book.
That we see Tony, Arnhem and the various and sundry characters in this world more, the more we want to see. The level of characterisation here is stunning all around, the way we as readers see this world leaves us begging and screaming for more. This has an appeal for anyone who loves those action-mystery-thrillers, lovers of Anime and course anyone who enjoys science fiction. That this has such a more universal appeal really is a stand out for me and it’s not something we see enough of these days.
Amigo Comics is home to some of the most stupendous storytelling happening in comics today and no-one seems to talk enough about them. People expand your horizons, branch out beyond what you are comfortable with and read something that will make you love comics again, and yes that is this series!