Jack Zodiac
08-23-2007, 12:21 PM
As usual, incredible art. This issue deviated from the usual detective noir-style of storytelling and turned towards some classic suspense and horror, illustrated further by the darker imagery and grislier art. We finally get to see the face of Denny's companion in death, Alvarro Mortez, now "El Morte." And we're walked through the circumstances that led to his current state, and why he resents The Spirit so much for it.
The book's focus was almost entirely on Ebony with The Spirit bedridden after being beaten senseless. And even here, in the middle of the penultimate arc of Cooke's run on this book, we get some incredible character moments from Eb and Dolan. Of course, the plot is still absolutely about El Morte. We get to see how disgusting he is, but the real details come from the cast's interactions with him. Denny being face to face with him, choking out from the foul stench rising up from his throat. Dolan putting five shells in him and watching in horror as he keeps moving. Ebony listening to his monologue and the sound of his voice. "Like some sort of sucking wound that won't close."
You get a sense, outside of the imagery, for how disgusting and vile this creature is. And then, in Mortez's own words, he chronicles his death and resurrection as the monster he's become, and how he's growing accustomed to it, embracing it, and enjoying the wanton violence that's come with his new life driven by vengeance. And the book ends with his lingering threat of taking his sweet time enacting that vengeance upon The Spirit and everyone he loves.
Three more issues. Man, I'm gonna' miss this book.
The book's focus was almost entirely on Ebony with The Spirit bedridden after being beaten senseless. And even here, in the middle of the penultimate arc of Cooke's run on this book, we get some incredible character moments from Eb and Dolan. Of course, the plot is still absolutely about El Morte. We get to see how disgusting he is, but the real details come from the cast's interactions with him. Denny being face to face with him, choking out from the foul stench rising up from his throat. Dolan putting five shells in him and watching in horror as he keeps moving. Ebony listening to his monologue and the sound of his voice. "Like some sort of sucking wound that won't close."
You get a sense, outside of the imagery, for how disgusting and vile this creature is. And then, in Mortez's own words, he chronicles his death and resurrection as the monster he's become, and how he's growing accustomed to it, embracing it, and enjoying the wanton violence that's come with his new life driven by vengeance. And the book ends with his lingering threat of taking his sweet time enacting that vengeance upon The Spirit and everyone he loves.
Three more issues. Man, I'm gonna' miss this book.