From Image Comics, Kurtis Wiebe, Tyler Jenkins.

Kurtis Wiebe is fast becoming one of my favorite comic book creators.  The more interviews I read and podcasts I listen to, the bigger fan I become.  One thing he mentioned rings true within this issue.  With one line drawn, one smirk on the page, Peter becomes legendary.

He doesn’t look cocky, he is confident.  He doesn’t say I’m better than you, he says trust me.  It is a tribute to the artistic gifts of Tyler Jenkins that he can pull this off.  It is this look that inspires the rest of the boys.  In turn, the boys are inspiring.  In two issues Wiebe has made these kids into men.  They don’t rise up because of super powers or some sense of nobility.  They grow because there is no choice.  Adapt or die.  But it took that magical catalyst in Peter to bring out the strength within.

The pacing from both writer and artist leads the reader up every level of story.  Tight when it needs to be, expansive when the story demands it.  When Peter and the boys are hiding or hunkered down, the panels enclose the action.  While reading it your shoulders will roll forward, your head ducks down, and the fear feels like a weight confining your lungs.  Then there are the splash pages making your ribs expand and the next breath feels like sweet honey.  These characters who you already love only two issues in, have triumphed in one of the many battles.  Each small victory feels like something larger.  They have already come so far, and any common knowledge of history will help readers know that there is still so much more to go.

Speaking of go, if either of the two big splash page reveals are available to buy, go to that site and blow the hundreds to thousands it costs to have some art on your wall.  I dream of the day I might have original comic book art on my wall, and either of these two pages would be a focus of any collection.

(I really want to post the images of them but then that might ruin some of the story for you.  Go buy the issue and see it for yourself!)