Welcome back to DC’s Comics: “Most Frustrating Artwork Series”……I mean “Azrael”.

Once again Ramon Bachs is the artist for this title and once again I have problems with it. It’s like I love punishment with this series, which is ironic considering what the theme of this title is. Ironically though it’s not Bachs that gives me the problems in this, it’s the damn coloring. For the most part Bachs pencils look actually good. It seems like he always gets me with the opening two page spread but this time there are more then just a tease in the beginning. The action is layed out well and he makes this whole ‘puzzle’ Lane is solving work. But I go back to the coloring by JD Smith, which is muddy and really ruins some of the good artwork. There is a sequence in this where two Knights are fighting each other, and Smith clearly colors the wrong people. One minute one guy is getting stabbed the next the same guy is on his feet without a scratch. So he definitely screwed some things here. The Inks by Stanisci aren’t helping either and although Bachs isn’t know to make pretty faces; Stanisci isn’t helping things.

So while Bachs doesn’t go entirely free from this issue, it definitely seems like he isn’t getting much help from his partners. Meanwhile the story of Michael Lane continues with very intriguing plot points set in motion. That mindblowing final page of the first issue seems to be getting closer and closer (with this ending sealing the deal) Now with Adrian getting also ready for anything going down; the tension is going to increase more with each issue. Once again I want to see myself quit this series…..but Nicieza is doing such a great job with the writing I can’t see myself leave quite yet.