After a sterling batch of November issues, Image returned with two big issues before the new year. The following are reviews for books from the month of December.
“Saga #17″:
It’s hard to delve too deeply into this issue without giving away massive spoilers. We begin with the two reporters, Upsher and Doff, hitting a serious snag on their quest for the truth. Vaughan introduces a new bounty hunter with serious potential to become a fan favorite just as our previous one is on the fringe of life. Time wise, the story has finally caught up to the thread that began this arc. Each piece of dialogue is sorrowfully on edge, only highlighting the fact that Vaughan tends to knock off the best characters the second we come to love them. The conversation between Prince Robot IV and Oswald is terrifically captivating (“So what do you think is combat’s true antithesis, maestro?” said by the prince with mustache-twirling ferocity) and ranks among the best of the best that Saga has to offer. The feeling of dread that permeates the issue comes to a head with a tragic exchange that The Will has with Slave Girl. His outcome is still unknown, but it would be mighty sad to see such a touching relationship come to an end. The scenes in the finale move quickly and brutally, leaving us in doubt about who survived. Make sure to catch up before next month because the closing act to this arc promises an “inevitable conclusion”. It’ll likely be as ominous as it sounds. 9.5/10
“Revival #16″:
It’s admirable to see Revival narrow the character focus onto the two Cypress sisters. Other than some expository scenes detailing where the contaminated cattle ended up (and yet another new mystery involving the sheriff’s attacker), the sixteenth issue follows a cat-and-mouse game involving both Dana and Em in separate locations. The opening gives us a rare Revival scene that’s both pleasant and sweetly nostalgic, something I could gladly see more of between the sisters. Again, Seeley is a master at including the more poignant themes amidst the horror. Dana’s storyline is the more exciting of the two. I still feel that May Tao’s character hasn’t given us anything tremendously interesting like many other characters have. However, this issue hints at some darker secrets that she’s been withholding. Em seems to be going through a character renaissance that is seeing her intense Reviver side take over the demure human appearance she was initially introduced with. Dana gets some the best action Revival has ever had. Everyone is hiding something, making the identity of the masked man a crucial step in solving Em’s murder. Judging from the #18 cover, the reveal might be right around the corner. 8/10
Starting with the January 2014 batch, our Image books will be getting full reviews each week. Check back soon!
Filed under: REVIEWS Tagged: Image Comics, Revival, saga
