IDW Publishing 2016
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Jeremy Rock
Coloured by Michael Spicer
Lettered by Troy Peteri
STORY SO FAR First Lady Amelia Greene’s horrific hallucinations have taken control of her, leading to a violent outburst on national television. After Amelia is hospitalized, her husband promises to find the truth behind his wife’s visions... and the strange seal she carved into her desk while in a trance. Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff and his shadowy compatriots plan to use their knowledge of the occult to take over America.
I’m still thoroughly entertained, thrilled and surprised by the way James has been weaving this story. It is so different than what we normally see in any medium and quite honestly forget Shonda Rhimes and Scandal this is the what I want to see going on in the White House. There is so much here that seems like it’s just the tip of the iceberg for this world and these characters. Granted the President and his wife seem to have a shelf life but Brian doesn’t and neither does this shadowy organization bent on taking over America.
I like the spotlight on Brian this issue as he and the President talk about the meaning of the design on the First Lady’s desk and his subsequent quest to find out what it means. Though I have to admit after their meeting this issue and as Derek, the President, meets with Christian it surprises me how many people he trusts. With what’s happening to his wife i’d think he’d be playing things a little closer to the vest at this stage not knowing whom he can truly trust. Though with Dr. West in league with Christian they’ve really done a good job in snowballing everyone around them.
This is probably the darkest issue thus far and yet it’s still highly charged and full of that kind of fear and excitement that keeps us coming back. Seeing Brian and his boyfriend on the phone, the dialogue is utterly charming, natural and showcases how easy it can be to write characters who may seem outside the norm behaving as normally as can be without any fanfare or fuss. I think the interjection of some humour in this kind of serious subject matter is another reason I like James’ writing. The right amount and moments of levity amidst the turmoil going on is just so well done.
I know next issue is supposed to be the final issue of this run but i’m seriously hoping it’s just the final issue of this arc. I think there’s so much here that it would be a shame if it were really just ending. The potential here is staggering and the implications just beg for more exploration. You can’t keep a good occult cult down and with everything we’ve seen even thwarted it’s got to be only temporary.
Huge fan of what Jeremy and Michael do with the interiors. All the imagery and the way the panels flow telling the story some with backgrounds some without really help with the impact we feel. Plus this hideous thing that possess Amelia is fantastic and that kind of imagination boggles the mind at how good it is.
It’s series like this that show why IDW is a leader in the industry and these creators are among the best.