Last weeks Samurai Jack wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. I feel like this comic goes through really good moments and then lags for some issues. Even within the comic, this is clear. The cycle continues with this issue, as it has some great moments and then some “what was that?” moments. Let’s first look at the good because I do think the good weighs out the negative this week. Aku is back. Bottom line; Samurai Jack is so much better when Aku is the driving the plot. I have noticed that a lot of times when an issue is lacking something, it revolves around the plot which always leads back to Aku. He is the driving force. Andy Suriano should be proud that he has given Aku so much power. I love that Aku controls the issues and ultimately controls Jack’s movements. But if Aku isn’t there, then the series lacks direction. I wish Aku could be in it more or even Aku his own issues where we follow him. I mean he does lead this future world, so there has got to be more going on with him than just plotting his next move with Jack. He has to have other advisories.
Samurai Jack is clearly a strong character as well. But he lost; metaphorically and literally. He has no friends and no plans of how to get home. I think we will be getting a new storyline next issue. Again, the last storyline was disappointing with its slow plot and questions being unanswered. This may sound strange, but Jack needs a partner or Aku back. Even though the comic bares his name, the plot doesn’t shine as much as it could with just Jack.
Ok so I didn’t exactly start out with the good, but I promise it is coming now; Andy Suriano. Yeah, this dude rocks it in the art department. I just love the contrast between the bright town to the dark gloomy battlesite. The reader goes through these ups and downs with Jack. He knows there is something up and so do we. I also just can’t get over the rain in this issue. Suriano really creates a storm within the comic. At first, it is very light and doesn’t get noticed much but then it builds with the fight scene. Both strike at the same time, so it all makes each move more dramatic and powerful. That brings me to the moves. Jack has a lot of fighting to do. This dude must be tired, but what doesn’t get tiring are his samurai skills. Jack fights samurai robots, so the battle is pretty epic. The panels are strong and show small movements that all lead to the big blow. It was great to see.
I just don’t know how much longer Aku and these fight scenes can take us though. It is clear that Jack needs a sidekick to bring new life to the story. I hope that we can see some changes with our new storyline, because most readers probably have about one more storyline in them before they take a break from the whole thing.
Score: 2/5
Samurai Jack #18 Writer/Artist: Andy Suriano Publisher: IDW Publishing Price: $3.99 Release Date: 4/22/2015 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital