Nailbiter #13

Writer – Joshua Williamson
Artist – Mike Henderson
Colours – Adam Guzowski

Reverend Fairgold is still camped outside Sherif Crane’s house with his makeshift posse calling for the head of Edward Charles Warren but when finally confronted with his prey, things do not go as planned. This latest issue sees Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson take the reader on a trip through the mutual past of Edward and Shannon, of how they met and came to be involved with each other and how they soon broke up not long afterwards. It also provides an interesting glimpse into Shannon Crane’s character as when she was younger she also was enamoured with the Buckaroo butchers, select ones that is. It provides a great contrast comparing the person she was then to the upstanding sheriff that she is now and you can see how the experience of dating Edward has changed her. Of course, half the book takes place in the present and the revelation of just what it is that makes this town churn out more serial killers than any other continues to unfold. It does so at a pace that might drive some readers mad but is actually quite perfect as it continuously builds up the tension and suspense page after page, with Williamson and Henderson ensuring your attention and knowing that you cannot possibly stop reading. For his part, it does not seem like Edward Charles Warren was completely as bad a guy when he was younger for it seemed he truly cared for Shannon, and might possibly still. Yes he kills people and he eats their fingernails for whatever reason, but perhaps there is something deep down, a sliver of humanity that might be brought forth at some point? The only way to know is to keep reading and that is not going to be hard to do, especially the way this book ended.

4 out of 5

The Omega Men #1

Writer – Tom King
Artist – Barnaby Bagenda
Colours – Romulo Fajardo Jr.

The Omega Men is another reboot of a classic DC title making its way to the stands and it is quite fantastic in the way it is presented, through song, through violence and all of it done so as if it were some type of legendary confrontation. It finds a force of men from Abaetern, the World of Lords and Citizens, on the hunt for the Omega Men, specifically Tigorr on Ogyptu, the World of Pleasure and Contemplation. Soon enough though, there is little pleasure or contemplation to be had on Ogyptu as the soldiers find their prey and it is then that the Omega Men show them that they are in way over their heads. The narrative is actually what really draws you into this book, telling you little but a lot at the same time.  The artwork by Barnaby Bagenda and Romulo Fajardo Jr. is nothing to scoff at either and is just as good as the story, if not better. Our cast is introduced consisting of Tigorr, Broot, Scrapps and Primus and by the end of the book their enemies are defeated and they are on the move. The really great thing about this book is the fact that while very little actually happened except for a lot of fighting and killing, Tom King has you hooked by story’s end and you really want to find out what happens next. Who were these soldiers and why did they want Tigorr and the Omega Men? What is up with the bomb that was talked about and what about that ending? A strong showing from all involved and kudos to DC for giving this book a chance.

3.5 out of 5