IDW Publishing/44 Flood 2016
Written by Keith Carmack
Illustrated by Vincent Nappi
Lettered & Designed by Jessi Adrignola
Alright this issue was a tad more streamlined for me than the first one. Once the characters, situations and scenarios were introduced it’s much easier to get things moving along and since I really enjoyed the first issue, enough so that i’m back with you all for this one, that I think this is better well it just means Keith has some great skill and talent and quite possibly a bright--or at the least disturbing future ahead of him in comics.
So last issue we met two key characters one was Brahm Allvar and we saw him gleefully killing a couple and thinking he was totally getting away with it. Unfortunately for him the other main character Hektor managed to find him, arrest him and that brings up to this issue. So without rehashing events of last issue which if you haven’t read I highly suggest you find yourself a copy and peruse it then come back for the issue that’s all about duality. Two story lines simultaneously told one featuring Brahm the other Hektor kind of paralleling their lives.
So Brahm’s story seems extremely fast tracked. For the sake of the story I get it and we all know that in real life no one would ever have this sequencing of events happen at this speed, though perhaps i’m mistaken in some small county’s or towns where there aren’t a lot of big city attention going on. However Victorie City seems to be outside that with a healthy population and a lot going on. Still that he’s I can’t use the word Railroaded because he’s definitely guilty of what he’s being charged with but this kind of rush job well it can cause just as many problems as it does solve things.
Meanwhile Hektor is a good and honest man. He can’t leave town without first finding out what happened to the missing girl Cyndi at least for her mother’s sake. I have to say I really like this look at him and how he goes about his investigation as we also see his office and such doing the work they do in the Brahm arc. He’s smart, dedicated and the kind of person you want to have watching your back and that’s a rarity to find anymore, someone you feel is that trustworthy.
The characterization throughout the issue while following both arcs is incredibly well done. Like em, love em or loathe em all the characters we see represent what I like to think of as real people. The kind you find in everyday life in one form to one degree or another. This has helped make the story while a little on the fantastic side feel more real and connectable to the reader. I’m surprised that something this sharp is going as largely unnoticed as it is.
Vincent’s interiors really have and continue to surprise me. I’m not usually a fan of this particular style but the brush strokes and linework here have this controlled yet messy feel to them that actually evoke a great range of emotion. While not as detailed as I gravitate towards it does have enough to see what and experience the surroundings in ways that you can get behind and appreciate. Plus the different background tone colour for each character was a very nice move indeed.
Surprise yourself and grab these first two issues and see for yourself why I’m a fan of this and think you will be too.