This was the final part of the first mini-series for Francesco Francavilla’s delightfully retro pulp hero and it delivered in spades! I’m a huge fan of the pulp conceit and FF has just nailed it throughout these four issues! The character first appeared in the great story originally serialized in Dark Horse Presents (to be included in the No Way Out collection that you NEED to buy) but he feels so classic that you could believe he’s been around for years. Sure, the story and character hit mostly familiar notes and straddle the line of cliché, but when it’s pulled off with such aplomb, who cares?

Francavilla is quickly becoming one of the true heavyweight artists working today. Whether on Detective with Snyder, guesting on Hawkeye or even zombifying the good people of Riverdale, he brings a style and a class that few can match. The two double page spreads where the villain reveals his master plan in this issue take what could have easily been a boring exposition scene and makes it striking and beautiful through clever layouts and flawless design. The wonderfully dark and minimalist colour palette used just scream PULP and make it pretty clear to me that this is a perfect match of setting and creator.

The issue ends with the promise of more before the end of the year and I can’t wait for Francavilla to take me back to Colt City!

(more reviews and ramblings at vaguelymarkish.wordpress.com)