I’m playing a bit of catch up with this series, so before I jumped into the second issue I wanted to review and talk about the first issue which released last week. I’m not quite sure why this is a weekly series from Image/Top Cow/Minotaur Press, but it is. It also seems like this first issue was mostly overlooked which is a real shame. The story kicks off with a woman named Chloe being left at the altar. Her narration is kind of strange as there isn’t a hint of sadness behind her words, but rather anger and rage. She walks out of the church and to her car popping the trunk as she approaches. In the back is a slew of weapons and bullets… wait huh? Yeah she pulls out an assault rifle and gets in her car and takes off.
The story jumps four years into the future and we meet Mike, the dude that left her at the altar. He’s currently hanging on a wire between two buildings aiming at a man that’s just entered his hotel room. The man gets a phone call just as Mike is getting ready to take his shot and suddenly the man looks right at Mike and takes off running. Being the professional that he is, Mike goes after him. Once he’s caught up with him he asks who called him. The man won’t tell him at first, but then he’s properly motivated and says that it was just a woman. What really works for this scene is that Mike’s handler or counterpart is constantly updating Mike and making the situation realistic.
During all this though we meet Mike’s new fiancé and his mom. They’re planning Mike’s wedding and it doesn’t exactly make Mike look good.
There is a “swerve” and some people can probably already see it coming, but if not you’ll get it when it happens. I think the swerve helped elevate the story to be more than just a spy versus spy esque story and made the mystery of why Mike left Chloe more important to the overall plot.
The pacing of the story is very tight. It never sticks around longer than needed and keeps the story moving so that it’s always interesting. Writer William Harms delivers dialogue that is believable and well plotted. It’s very easy to imagine the different character’s voices as they speak because they each have their own unique voice.
The art is powerful and intense. There are several scenes that are striking and stand out due to how beautiful they are. In particular when Chloe is busting out of the church the art tells us everything we need to know about her. She’s pissed off, but in control of her rage. Artist Edward Pun’s artwork is a huge part in the success of the story. Obviously without the narrative and plot the art would just be there, but together they work hand in hand to put together an entertaining story with a catchy mystery.
I definitely enjoyed this first issue; enough that I decided to review it before reading the second issue so that I could give it its fair shake on its own. Perhaps the second issue will reveal why it’s a weekly book, but really this issue sets up a mini-series that has plenty to offer in the terms of story, action and mystery. If you missed it last week you should check it out and maybe even grab the second issue as well.
Score: 4/5
Writer: William Harms Artist: Edward Pun Letterer: Troy Peteri Publisher: Image/Top Cow/Minotaur Press Price: $3.99 Release Date: 4/2/14 Format: Mini-Series – Print/Digital