Vertigo Roundup: Jacked #6 & Suiciders: Kings of HELL.A. #2

Jacked #6

Writer: Eric Kripke

Artist: John Higgins

The Jacked finale really brings out the dramatic side of the mini-series. Sure, laughs are still to be had, but Eric Kripke also delivers the harsh drama that made Supernatural such a success.

In this issue, Josh is pushed to the brink when it comes time to save his family, lack of pills be damned. It was cool to see him do whatever it took and that was concocting a well laid plan that brought down the captor of his wife and children; a mind over muscle moment, to say the least.

All in all, this was a satisfying conclusion to one of my favorite new books of the past year. This could easily be the definitive end, but there is an opening for a sequel. Recall the ending of The Dark Knight Rises and you will have a decent idea of what I’m talking about.

Suiciders: Kings of HELL.A. #2

Writer: Lee Bermejo

Artist: Alessandro Vitti

Now that I’ve had two issues worth of reading to help me gauge this series, I admit it’s not quite my cup of tea. Regardless of that, I feel some of Lee Bermejo’s words are quite poetic.

The second installment of this prequel series takes time to focus on character but doesn’t skimp on the brutality or gritty realism. Believe me, those aren’t the qualities that deter my interest.

My problem, if you even want to call it that, is that I find it difficult to attach myself to any of these characters as I have in several other recent Vertigo titles. This isn’t a bad book by any means – it’s just not grabbing me. If you read the first issue, I do encourage you to soldier on and formulate your own opinion.

Related posts

Review: Catwoman #70

Review: Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #33

Review: Titans #17