Reviewed by: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Show of Force
Written by: Mark Waid
Penciled by: Barry Kitson
Inked by: James Pascoe
Lettered by: Comicraft
Colored by: Bad@$$
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Published by: DC Comics
The issue begins with an assault on Aswan, kind of. Aswan is the last spot in Africa that isn’t under the Empire’s control. So the Empire decides to conquer it by building a bridge much to the confusion of Officer McCorley. Meanwhile Greenland’s ambassador Rasmussen is plotting to actually rebel against the Empire.
Grieze and Lucullan oversee the construction of the bridge. Kafra informs Xanna that he knows her secret. A cloaked figure plants something in the Eucharist temple that causes quite the scene. Lohkyn gets hurt, but still manages to give Delfi a little something. We finally see the meaning of building a bridge, and we find out who Rasmussen’s ally in the Empire is.
Waid is doing some good work here. I would hate to have been one of those people who have been waiting years for this story to be told, but I imagine that it is still worth the wait. The characters are all devious, and plotting. It is a very interesting character study. My only problem is the only Black character; Lucullan is portrayed as an imbecile. The fact that he attempts to speak beyond his vocabulary borders on racial stereotype. I find it offensive.
Kitson and Pascoe do some really good work. If you have these two together you know you are in for some beautiful looking pages. This issue doesn’t fail that expectation. Aswan looks like it’s on its last legs. And when Gologoth makes his entrance this issue, it is a moment to remember.
This book is a quality read. Hopefully it will run beyond its initial miniseries form, because I have become attached to the story.
