Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Goliath: Part 4
Written by: Andy Diggle
Art by: Jock
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Assistant Editor: Zachary Rau
Editor: Will Dennis
Publisher: Vertigo > DC Comics
Arnold Schwarzenegger has never been a part of action like this!
If you’re a fan of high testosterone action, and you haven’t done so already, you better give The Losers a look. The first extended storyline, involving the Losers attempt to steal a hard drive from the Goliath mainframe, is drawing to a close. Series writer Andy Diggle did a really informative interview with Newsarama recently. The interview gives a rundown of what’s happened in the book thus far, and a nice look at what’s to come. This primer alone will allow you to start on the book with this issue, and not have to pick the back issues up.
While there’s tons of action, I must highly emphasize the fact that, that this isn’t a book for action junkies alone. There’s a deep storyline, which isn’t overly convoluted, and some interesting character developments. The characters in The Losers are really starting to flesh out quite nicely. When I wrote the review for issue 1 several months back, I was a little worried about the characters. The issue was a lot of fun, but the group was a little undeveloped, and seemed on the churned from a cookie cutter side, but thankfully that’s not a problem at all. Andy Diggle is taking the time to not only spotlight the action, but his characters as well.
Vin Diesel, yeah right!
The latest issue picks up with the Losers attempting to take the initiative, following the debacle of one of their own being a traitor. Team leader Clay plays for keeps as he promises to vaporize the oil terminal the team is trapped in, if they aren’t taken off the government’s “death list.†The team ends up dealing with Deputy Director Sanderson of the CIA; all parties involved learn really fast, that they aren’t aware of the big picture.
The events lead to an exciting boat chase, and an explosive finale, that’s got me drooling waiting for the conclusion next month. The dialogue is without a doubt the highlight of Diggle’s writing. Diggle has compared the story to films like Ocean’s Eleven, Heat, and Payback. The story itself may be in line with those films, but the characters and dialogue are more in line with Quentin Tarantino’s work. There are numerous film references, both overt to the films themselves, but more so the little things that the characters say. I loved the quip by Jensen during the boat chase, “We got company! Three on our tale!†Follow that with his self-aware statement, “…man, I can’t believe I just said that.“ It seems the characters themselves find the comic as wry, and believable in its unbelievable-ness, as we do.
Sly couldn’t compete!
Jock is getting a ton of play right now. His style is very similar to 100 Bullets regular, and current Batman artist, Eduardo Risso. The action is an integral part of the storyline, and Jock has no problem translating it clearly, but with visual thrill as well. During the first couple of issues, the characters looked a little too much alike for me. As the issues move forward, Jock has really perfected the look and style within.
Vertigo currently is putting out the best quality comics of any imprint in the industry. Hell, I’d go as far as to say, that Vertigo is putting out the best comics bar none. 100 Bullets, Y: The Last Man, Fables, and of course The Losers are as good or better than anything else on the market. While all of their titles have a gritty edge, there’s something that will please just about anyone. The The Losers, after just five months, has become the book I wait for as much as any other.
