Well it’s that time again. Imagine Agents is back, and the talent behind it have brought their best stuff. I kinda want to save all of my positive review points for the meat and potatoes of the review, so I’ll keep this intro short. But you folks out there reading this need to drop whatever you’re doing right now, and pick this up. Don’t even read this yet. I said go! Dapple has rounded up a group of “figments” at a secret meeting to introduce his master plan to get back at their unappreciative human masters, and the agents of I.M.A.G.I.N.E. He’s also found a way to take the form of a human boy to kidnap Elliot. Two agents and Elliot’s mother, Rebecca Fairview, are enroute to this meeting. Furdlegurr has managed to escape from the clutches of Dapple and has decided to aid Rebecca and agents Slatern and Snowgoose in Elliot’s rescue. Unfortunately for them, they have no idea what they’re running into.
This is by far the best issue that Brian Joines has written so far. I was completely engrossed in the scene when Dapple was explaining the motivation behind his plan. He tells it in the form of a flashback. I love flashbacks, so that was just icing on the cake for me. When Dapple explains how he’s figured out how to use the technology that the agents use against them, I was legitimately fearful for whoever was unfortunate enough to deserve his wrath. He really does put some great thought into creating a fictional situation wherein the research leading to the facts could possibly get us to that outcome. Does that make sense? Basically, I was almost convinced that the I.M.A.G.I.N.E. technology seems obtainable.
I know that I just went on about how this was the best issue that Brian had written so far, but it came as no shock that Bachan was on top of his game as well. I think that the motivation that was used to create Dapple, definitely lead to one of the best creative decisions in his career at this point. I will also point out that the last page of this particular issue may possibly be my favorite page of the year. It has a lot to compete with, but it’s definitely right up there. Really good stuff, man. I can’t wait to see what you have for us next month.
This series is undeniably one of the best series of the year. I can’t believe that it will be ending next month. I’m not exactly sure that there is enough content to warrant an ongoing series, but so far, I have been so impressed with the potential that I see each month. Maybe four issues is enough. I definitely wouldn’t want it to become one of those bloated series that runs out of gas after an arc or two, but somehow keeps holding on waiting for the next big story to hit. Those kinds of books tend to create more and more desperation every time the talent changes. I love this book. I’m going to miss it.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Brian Joines Artist: Bachan Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 12/18/13