
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics 2015
Created & Written by Matt Hawkins
Created & Illustrated by Rahsan Ekedal
Coloured by Mike Spicer
I have to say that Matt really surprised me with this issue. While I’ve been enjoying seeing Sam give James a run for his money with this whole Samaritan thing forcing him to up his own computer game what happens this issue takes things to a level I knew would come just not so soon. Last issue we started seeing cracks in Sam’s crew and with Rachel and Mike’s penchant for drug use we knew it wouldn’t be long but I honestly expected the chase to last a lot longer than it has.
We open up at the Summit Church in Phoenix we left off last issue. Agent Campbell got a shot off and hit Mike who dropped his fun and there’s a good sized pool of blood, with tire tracks, at the scene. Dwayne got a good look at them too the first real break the boys have had in all this yet. Yet when they boys boss gets there you know things are about to go from bad to worse. I have to say when reading this you actually get this solemn feeling when you read Dwayne’s words it’s like you know he’s upset about shooting someone and the way it all went down.
What happens with the Samaritan gang is also just as solemn. Ah sweet, misguided Mike with the hot body and the tattoo’s who loved getting too high is dead and Kyle, big brother, isn’t having it.
With everything that happens this issue it’s nice to see that James and Dwayne are more than just working partners but friends as well. Their easy going good natured banter may seem to ease the tension Dwayne shows on his face. Rahsan really has hit his stride with his work on the interiors as facial expressions look just amazing! I mean he’s been able to really show such emotion on these pages that match the words perfectly and you really feel what’s happening with these characters. I have been a fan of his work since day one but there’s something here that you can’t pinpoint but just see that it’s been raised to a whole new level.
With his brother dead and buried Kyle becomes someone we don’t recognize any longer and his feelings for Sam and her rejection of them are the catalyst for what happens in the remainder of this issue. The events that unfold do a lot to create such a wide variety of emotions and feelings in me as a reader and it demonstrates Matt’s ability as a writer and that he’s come a long way in being able to really get into the mind and mood of the story he’s telling.
That this was intended to be a limited series but will be continuing on should be the only testament you need to understand just how good this book is. The stark honest look at how organized religion and the effects or hypocrisy of these Mega Churches may, I say may, be seen and it’s thought provoking, entertaining and just a heck of a good read. There’s no preaching one way or the other just a look at how the characters of this story see and feel.
This should really be on your reading list, specially if you like movies like Ocean’s 11, Mission Impossible or any other action thriller.