Zenescope Entertainment 2018
Written by Ralph Tedesco
Illustrated by Allan Otero
Coloured by Leonardo Paciarotti
Lettered by Taylor Esposito
Robyn and Liesel learn that they’re each separately on the trail of a seedy crime boss who’s experimenting on humans while developing an extremely dangerous designer drug. But neither Robyn nor Liesel is prepared for what they’ll uncover as the two long-time friends find themselves face to face in an epic battle to the death!
Well after the shocking ending of last issue we are able to learn exactly what was going on. Now it’s time for the aftermath to begin as we learn why the book was given the vs. aspect. So I wonder what would’ve happened had those men not come into the room and tried to turn both women into s’mores. Still timing is everything don’t ya know and the girls luck has far from run out.
I like the way Ralph has this structured as he is able to really get the story set-up and then get off and running in a way that feels right. Everything that we see fits right into the characters, the personalities and how we’ve come to see them over the years. Sure Liesel might put up more of a fight but with that many normal humans with guns and after what just happened yeah I can see that happening. I like how Ralph is able to keep the girls familiar and move them forward and continuing to evolve.
I do like some of the twists and turns like Von trying to interrogate Liesel and his pet vampire. Why does she obey him and call him master when in reality he’s nothing more than some kind of perverted pimp? How does a man like him come into possession of the knowledge and information required to even become remotely successful? His arrogance and demeanour are what we expect from someone with low intelligence who comes by his success on the backs of others. So when he gets what’s coming to him I will totally enjoy seeing that but in the meantime kudos on the characterisation because it really is rather incredibly strong.
Allan and Leonardo do some really solid work here. Leonardo in particular with Tess’s tattoo work and the camo pattern on Robyn’s outfit is all colour work and no linework so to say I am impressed is something of an understatement. Allan’s work with the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels is nicely done and shows off his eye for storytelling. Personally I want to see more backgrounds because when we see them they are spectacular in expanding the story instead of seeing just that coloured stuff behind the characters that leave them in limbo. Now the faces, facial expressions and how the characters look is superb stuff and the linework there is fantastic I really like the subtle work being done whether it’s the creasing of the brow or how the noses are done it’s got a nice panache to it.
Well I wasn’t sure what Ralph was going to do to get Liesel out of her predicament and to be honest he didn’t go the route I thought he’d take so that’s a huge bonus! I love being surprised and having things go a way that I hadn’t seen coming until it was happening. Still a new ally in the fight isn’t a bad thing specially when they are as smart and useful as this one is. Though in all reality my mind tells me not to get attached as he won’t be around at the end of the arc.
This is why we read Zenescope’s books because they are smart, entertaining and have the tone, mood and feel of what comics we love are all about.