There’s something strangely compelling about this book, the way the story and main character linger in your thoughts after reading it.While sitting at work my mind would wander to different scenes in the book. I found this strange because I liked the book but I didn't feel the need to shout from the mountain tops about it. It was no Pinpoint for sure, but there was something that really got its hooks in me and didn't let go. Perhaps it was the all too familiar World War II setting, or the witty narrative of a Nazi spy on the verge of defecting from the third Reich. Whatever it is, it worked and I’m glad that Boom brought the book over to the states. The story opens with a man addressed only as Major at the time arriving at a home in Austria. He’s making some sort of deal with the man and his son, but it’s about to turn bad as both parties are plotting to kill the other. After the Major refuses to drink his poisoned tea the man’s son pulls a gun on him; too bad for the son that the Major is a trained assassin and makes quick work of the son. The father makes a break for the woods, but the Major takes aim with the gun and shoots him in the leg. He’s not done with the old man as he puts his leg in a tourniquet and drags him back to the house for interrogation.

After the Major receives the information he wants he heads back to Germany to check in from the real mission he was sent on. Here we see him go through several meetings and run-ins that all appear normal on the outside. The fact is that the Major is a very loyal Nazi, but his narration and thoughts allude to him being anything but. The story is good there is no denying that, it incorporates the time its set very well but doesn’t get lost in trying to show how jacked up the world was at the time. Writer Herik Hanna drops reminders of the fear and danger of Germany during the time, but he relies on your knowledge of the Holocaust and history to fill in the gritty details because he’s trying to do something different with his story. That’s not to say he downplays events at all, if anything the little bit he offers of the world is quite scary and makes you wonder how anyone made it through when they could easily be taken away.

This is some of Trevor Hairsine’s best work and it makes me wonder what he could have done with his career if he hadn't worked at Marvel. Let’s be honest, nothing he did at Marvel was that good and it all looked like his best attempt at copy Bryan Hitch (I’m sure Marvel told him to do that).This has a great style to it that is detailed, but full of grittiness that plays well to the era. In particular I like the way the main character looks in every scene. He has an arrogance to him that doesn't come off in the dialog,but rather how he stands and his mannerisms. I’m really looking forward to the rest of the series to see Hairsine at his best.

I was on the fence about this book before it came out. Like I said previously Hairsine’s Marvel work was less than thrilling, so who knew he would deliver the goods with this series. The creative team is really solid and there is just something about this story and way it was presented that I really enjoyed. I’m glad that I checked it out and this is yet another great Boom book to release back to back (See Seven Warriors #1). I think there’s apart in all of us that find WWII fascinating and trust me, you will find this book fascinating as well so pick it up.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Herik Hanna Artist: Trevor Hairsine Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99