Rodney Barnes, writer
Jason Shawn Alexander, art
Luis NCT, colors
Marshall Dillon, Letters
Recap
In the previous issue, Jimmy and a doctor named “Jose” must find a way to stop the epidemic before it spreads throughout the city. The writer develops parallels between John Adams and the beginning of the vampire epidemic. This issue shows the complete demolition of Killadelphia, and Sangster’s close to complete evolution into a vampire state. Both scenarios are grimacing and dark.
There is a point in every apocalyptic event story where a bridge from the described reality to the post apocalypse occurs. The writer has a weird tension to maintain between fear of complete collapse and maintaining at least a strand of hope. I’m not sure whether this story pulls it off. The determining factor for me is interest level. I will be curious to see my emotional response to next month’s release. Excitement will mean the story is working.
The relationship between Jimmy jr. and his father Sangster is the one character centered story arc yet to be explored. There’s a sense that distance was created between them due to Sangster;s career choices; however, Jimmy’s a police officer like his father. What connects them and what threatens to tear them apart further is what interests me.
The relationship between Jimmy and his cohort the doctor interests me. Jose is supportive, knowledgeable, and a helper to Sangster in the story. At times, she’s the only character that still feels anchored to humanity or rather has her eye on humanity’s welfare completely.
The art remains consistent and solid. The dark, deliberate, muddy appearance reinforces the emotional tone of tragedy and despair. There weren’t any wow moments but there weren’t any head scratching moments either. Kind of like the story, I am curious to see if the writing can inject a spark in this story in the next issue. 7.5/10
