I don’t know why, but I panicked and thought that this was the final issue of the series. Once I remembered that there was one more issue I breathed a sigh of relief. This has been a hell of a series and at this point there’s not much in terms of “story” going on. Luther has arrived at Cain’s… holding cell? I don’t know if it has an official name, but basically it’s where the people that have been bound end up. Luther and Petra execute their plan which involves Luther going in alone against four warriors powered by the Cain juice and Petra blocking the door with their car. Which seems like a moot point, but oh man does it play out in a satisfying way. Luther continues his battle of words with the warriors trying to convince them that they can do better and be something more. You can see it work on two of them, but I’ll leave it for you to figure out which two.
We also learn how Luther has been able to beat the others that are like him. I mean the entire reason they’ve been bound is because they’re so difficult to beat and they can see each other’s movements. Luther has figured out something in the time we’ve spent with his character across three series and it’s just absolutely perfect for his character.
There is some character development, but really Luther is maxed out. The only way he can develop more is if he can convince Cain or beat Cain. That’s his journey now. Otherwise he and Petra are fully developed characters and they’re just riding out the end of the series in the best possible way, completely exposed to the reader. If you’ve followed the series, then you know them quite well and that’s what makes this volume pretty damn satisfying.
The ending of the series is puzzling and I really wonder which way Justin Jordan will go with it. There’s the two obvious endings: one in which Luther wins but dies and the other in which he wins and lives. In both of those scenarios Cain dies of course. While either of those would be fine and interesting on their own I feel as if there’s a third in which Jordan does something completely unexpected… kind of like this entire concept and series. I’m looking forward to the conclusion and I’m happy that it has one. Some stories are meant to go on forever and others are meant to have an ending.
Tradd Moore and Felipe Sobreiro continue to be the absolute stars of this series. The story is great, but the art is what honestly brings everything to life. I’m going to spoil one scene because I have to talk about how fucking amazing it was so consider that your warning. The scene in which Petra red mists one of the dudes is amazing! Not just the part with the bullets hitting, but the gory aftermath of his meaty flesh sitting there. Oh man… so gross and yet amazing. I mean the detail and the creativity behind this is great. It’s not gross out gore which I think sometimes gets slapped on this series, its more in line with Akira in which is just matches the maturity of the world the story is taking place in. Moore and Sobreiro are a dream team and when Moore eventually shuffles off to gigs at the big two again I hope that he’ll at least bring Sobreiro along to make his art look as fantastic as it does here.
One issue left in what’s been one of the most ground breaking comics in the last decade. I am looking forward to it and if you’re still all “what’s a Luther Strode” then you need to get caught up on a comic that not only changed comics, but launched three creator’s careers in one swoop.
Score: 5/5
The Legacy of Luther Strode #5 Writer: Justin Jordan Artist: Tradd Moore Colorist: Felipe Sobreiro Publisher: Image Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 3/16/16 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital