I didn’t really know what to think of this series after the first couple of issues. I loved the art, but the story felt dense and unclear. But somewhere, in the back of my mind, I knew that this was a comic that had potential. With this issue, I think I’m starting to see that potential shine through as the story and art kick it up a notch.

Of all the issues, I felt that this one was the most clearly written. It still has a nice density to it, and you can see that this story is going to shape up to deeply dark and filled with twists. There are some brutal moments in this issue as well, which reminds us just how horrible of a time it is in the world. This is a dark book, and the world that is forming around these morally ambiguous characters is teeming with sinister events. I really enjoyed the character portrayals in this issue, and it was nice seeing the characters affection for a kitten juxtaposed with their feelings of humanity. This is a series that continues to grow from a writing a standpoint, but I thought this issue was pretty darn good.

Of course, the shining part of this issue is Nic Klein’s art. Beautifully drawn and amazingly colored, these panels are packed with a unique richness that isn’t found in your typical comic. I loved the scenes in the bar, where the character colors reflected their state of mind (and drunkeness). The lushness of the brush strokes contrasting with the sharpness of the outlines of some characters is really great. Of course, it’s also good that he can really capture the brutality of the violence. It makes it much more shocking, and it’s impact lasting, even if its only in a panel or two. Hopefully, Klein will continue to grow as an artist with this series because that only means he’ll be making more beauty.