Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: The Wild Card
Written by: Mike Carey
Penciled and Inked by: Marcelo Frusin
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Editor: Will Dennis
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
This issue begins with Angie waiting for Johnny boy, when she briefly meets Paho, a friend of Constantine’s. Paho gives Angie something to give to Constantine and offers an apology before being dragged back to a poker game.
Meanwhile Constantine goes for a play date with the one and only Swamp Thing (and I’m not talking about the one from Brian K Vaughn’s short lived series. And you thought he was always red-hot.) The poker game goes on, Swampy and Johnny have it out. Constantine meets up with Angie, a spell is cast, and some souls are wagered. Trust me folks you want to read this issue, not hear about it from me.
Carey is really doing his thing. I’m not a magical dude, but I buy Carey’s magic. His magic isn’t Dr. Strange or Dr. Fate. It is more akin to the trickery of David Blaine. His explanation for the absence of the Swamp Thing is very reasonable. Paho and Goterrez definitely feel as though they exist or existed outside of this issue, and that is the sign of a good writer. The end just left me wanting more.
I have been waiting for Frusin to return to this book for what seems like forever. Swampy looks threatening, Paho looks like he’s lost the most important thing to him, and Constantine looks tired of being dragged into the middle. Check out page 21, it looks fantastic. The setting sun in this issue had me longing for the sunsets of home, which is a testament to the talent of Loughridge. And the cover is another spectacular piece by Bradstreet.
This issue sets up things to come. This looks to be a promising story arc. I for one can’t wait until next month.
