This book is a perfect example of how the script and the art working together can make for some pretty magical storytelling. It seems like more often than not, people are so quick to cast a new series aside without giving it a proper chance. That’s unfortunate, but sometimes necessary in today’s economy, but luckily for Boom! Studios, I don’t think that that will be the case with this book. This might be a winner from the start. Matt Gagnon and Michael Alan Nelson’s script this month is stronger than the last. We really get to see David interact with some pretty interesting characters. But not only David’s dialogue is strong, each character seems to get more interesting as things go on. We get to see a couple of new characters in this issue, and I’m curious to see what they will contribute to the overall story. But I think the standout moment in this issue is the conversation between David and Kellen. It brings a sense of urgency to the events of last month. Believe it or not, the dramatic ending of that issue has nothing on the truth that we learn here.

I’ve really enjoyed Brian Stelfreeze’s art so far. He delivers in this issue as much as he did last month. He’s given David a certain elegance that could allow for him to be underestimated. That’s what makes him a so effective Day Man. But more to the point, the art in this issue, especially the art toward the end, is amazing. I’m sure that you’ll instantly know why when you get to it.

I’m not to the point yet where I can justify a perfect score for this book, but it’s so damn close to perfect at this point that I know that it’s coming. There is a lot of potential here. I love how we get to see David do a lot of simple hand-to-hand combat. There isn’t enough of that right now. I love that his weapon is a cane. “A symbol of weakness can ultimately be your strength” and all that. I think that there are a few things about this book that could use the slightest tweak and then it would be there. I love how ultimately these “50 families” are pretty much a form of eternal organized crime and are destined to fight for power for all eternity. As you can see, the possibility of this book just taking off and being far superior to everything else isn’t that far off. All that aside, though, this month’s issue has made David Reid one of my new favorite characters to read.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Matt Gagnon and Michael Alan Nelson Artist: Brian Stelfreeze Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 12/11/13