This is not an original plot. A run down ex-hitman is called back into duty by assassins from somewhere in the ambiguous fog that is his past. But much as John Wick and Unforgiven, shit even Mean Girls, have proven in the past: great revenge plots make for great and enjoyable stories. Remarkably, The Last Contract takes place entirely in Canada! If you’re like me then your first inclination is to make a Canada joke (that’s just how I appreciate things… by mocking them). But the Canada in The Last Contract is not your “How did they get the name Canada? They put all the consonants in a hat and blindly drew them out in the following order: “C”, “eh!”, “N”, “eh!”, “D”, “eh!” Canada. This is a seedy world, very well portrayed by Lisandro Estherren and Nick Guardia.

The coloring really stands out. Much like certain films maintain a certain colored aesthetic (see any David Fincher movie ever) The Last Contract establishes and maintains a heavy tone throughout with great swath of deep blues peppered with red flares. It just works.

Ed Brisson manages the tension particularly well in spots, denying our crusty old assassin Marley what he wants through some entertaining and cryptic banter, specifically a little moonlight convo by the water. The story may flow a predictable path but it does so at an engaging pace.

This is not a story that takes itself too seriously and I mean that in a positive way. Classic crime/revenge stories should be tongue in cheek, small details almost winking at the reader as if to remind you that you should be having fun while inside all these tense situations. If issue #1 is any indication, this may not be a wholly original story but it sure ought to be a fun one.

Score: 3/5

The Last Contract #1 (of 4) Writer: Ed Brisson Artist: Lisandro Estherren Publisher: BOOM! Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 1/6/16 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital