Reviewed by: Mathan ” ” Erhardt
Story Title: London Calling – Conclusion
Written by: Andy Diggle
Penciled & Inked by: Ben Oliver
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Cover by: Jock
Editor: Will Dennis
Publisher: Vertigo > DC Comics
Ok, so basically The Losers are in London on the trail of Max, the guy who screwed them over. This brings them face to face with Roque, a former Loser who sided with Max. Last issue had Clay receiving a beatdown from Roque.
This issue opens as last issue ended, with Clay facing a pistol packing Roque. Stegler and Aisha bust in, and we have a standoff. Roque holding Clay hostage escapes into an elevator. Outside Pooch is waiting in the car when Pooch radios him to let him know that things have gone south. Pooch prepares for action.
Meanwhile Stegler calls down to security to inform them to let Roque pass. Security tries to hold him at bay, Roque takes them out quite easily. This move however allows Clay time to pull a knife and free himself by cutting Roque. Roque escapes by jumping through a window. He happens up on a cop on a motorcycle, who is promptly killed and relived of his motorcycle.
Back inside Clay and Aisha confront Stegler about how to handle Roque. There’s a disagreement. Roque encounters Pooch but escapes. Pooch decides to follow Roque’s lead. Meanwhile on the abandoned oil station known as Seadonia, Jensen hacks into Max’s account and makes quite the discovery.
Roque leads Pooch on a high-speed chase through London, which ends up in the subway. Pooch wrecks on the track and Roque presses the advantage and prepares to kill Pooch. Pooch and Roque exchange words. It turns out that Pooch was just buying time as Pooch’s wreck explodes because of the third rail. Roque escapes.
Later at a pub, Stegler and the Losers compare notes. They finally realize the full scope of Max’s scheme. The End.
Diggle knows how to write action, as this issue, like most is full of action. This books would make a great movie or TV series. It’s a thrill ride. It was nice to see Pooch try to reason with Roque, even if it was just a ploy. And the wrap up at the pub explains everything very nicely. Robin’s lettering is superb as always. This issue is full of sound effects and they really add to the story.
Oliver’s art works perfectly on this title. It’s not so different from Jock’s art that it distracts. His use of shadow is very similar to Jocks. He does a masterful job of illustrating the motorcycle chase scene. He perfectly captures the excitement of the scene.
