In this dual review two writers (in this case Dustin and Kimberly) will take a look at the issue and give a score of: Buy, Borrow or Pass. Before we begin here’s what the issue is about from Boom Studios: Lincoln McCord and Prince Adony Zaruka are two American con men living abroad in Europe, posing as an oil magnate and the descendant of long-lost royalty to live the high life by leeching off the European elite. But when an international thief begins wreaking havoc on their marks, the deceivers are enlisted by a rogue CIA agent to help entrap him.

Kimberly: PASS

I gotta say the whole infatuation with an American cowboy has been way over done; I’m just waiting for the John Wayne movie adaptation. The story follows a character that is portrayed as this suave cowboy in Europe that ends up working with the CIA. There is a lot of going on that doesn’t really help the reader understand the plot; however, this issue sets up to reveal secret identities for later in the series which may improve the story but so far I’m not sold.

Dustin: PASS

I kid you not one of the first things I did was make sure this wasn’t a 3 Guns spinoff because he has the exact same formula. Steven Grant has a formula for sure. Two con men, similar but slightly different that embody what James calls a “too cool” attitude. Grant has figured out how to add a new element to the formula which is the “smarter than you” female character.

Lincoln McCord is a bad-ass. Everything he does is bad-ass. He treats everyone with respect and calls them by their first name. He doesn’t live life with a plan and he’s a con man that’s invited everywhere because he’s such a blast to be around. It’s by the numbers.

The story was boring and frankly nothing McCord really did was that cool. The “cons” were obvious and the convenient story hoops that the plot jumped through were unimaginative. The art is okay. Jose Holder cannot draw action. Every time someone had a gun or did anything other than walking it was awkward. Much like 2 Guns and 3 Guns there are also panels missing. They’re not really missing, but the writer and editors have picked what we see and that leaves terrible gaps in the visual narrative. It’s annoying because it’s like watching a movie that’s nothing but jump cuts. It makes for a terrible read in a comic book and shows that writer has zero faith in the art telling the story and so we’re bogged down with exposition and jump cuts. If you actually liked 2 Guns the movie then you’ll probably still be disappointed with this comic.

Score: PASS!

Writer: Steven Grant Artist: Jose Holder Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 12/24/13