Issue two of Archaia Comics’ mini-series The Killer: Modus Vivendi sees its’ release today, with series writer Matz and artist Luc Jacamon continuing the journies of their titular killer as he weaves through an even more sordid web than usual. The first issue was a stunner, leading me to name this the most overlooked book of May. How did the second issue stand up in comparison?
Find out after the jump.
THE KILLER: MODUS VIVENDI #2
Written by: Matz
Illustrated by: Luc Jacamon
While issue one set everything up for a thrill ride adventure full of intrigue and murder, issue two got the ball rolling for what will likely be a blood bath filled with double crosses and some serious reckoning for someone. We find the Killer completing the controversial hit he’d been tasked with from the first issue (as he pointed out, if he didn’t do it, someone else will so he might as well get money and no trouble for it) and pulling the curtain back on the wizard (so to speak).
While Matz’ tells the story with his standard high quality of plotting, setting up the pieces and executing their actions as ably as any other writer on the market, I actually had a strange problem with this issue: it felt a little lifeless. For all of the momentous things that were happening on the page, everything felt a little disconnected and staged. It was as if the plot was so immaculately set up the actions that transpired were just going through the motions like automatons. It was a very odd feeling for a book I enjoy so much.
Luc Jacamon, predictably, was on top form as per usual. His work is some of the most stellar on the market month in and month out, loading pages with sumptuous detail and brilliantly designed scenes. This issue was no different, and provided me an early favorite for favorite art of the month (he almost took the prize from me in May, after all).
While everything was up to par in the plot and artistic realms, the story read to me as a bit lifeless. It was the first issue of The Killer that had given me that feeling, or even anything besides extremely positive feelings. I’m hoping it’s just a speed bump and not an indication of decreased quality in the mini, but I feel confident in saying it’s the former and not the latter.
Final Verdict: 6.8 – Browse
