Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Frank J. Barbiere

Artist: Chris Mooneyham

Release: 3rd December 2014

Let’s just jump right into it shall we? This is the second issue in the new story arc and all I can say is… well… I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next. The new arc feels like Frank and Chris have gotten to the point where they simply can’t be stopped; they are on fire, if you will. Fabian’s newest adventure has brought him into the horror pulp adventure world and it’s making for a truly great story. We were introduced to a new villain last issue, and now we have another character introduced here. This character, whose name I will omit for fear of giving too much away, starts the issue off writing in a journal. He is writing to someone he lost about his quest and the probability that he is following our beloved adventurer. The only hint that is given as to the character’s name is the initials on the cover of his journal – A.V.H. Putting the context of the story together with what I know of similar tales I was, after seeing him in action able to identify what the initials stood for but I will leave that mystery to you to solve, it is after all part of the fun of reading! This is one of the first issues in a while where we’ve seen Fabian get to channel all of his “Ghosts” throughout, leaving the last as a cliffhanger – and a good one at that!

Normally I don’t have much bad to say about this series and this isn’t necessarily bad but I felt the dialogue at a few points was a little weak. However, this weakness was happening at the same time as a fairly intense action sequence, and to be honest, who’s focused on intense dialogue during a fight? It just felt like it almost read to fast, but for me I’m like a kid in a candy store when I get my hands on the latest issue so I read it fast anyway, at least the first time round. That minor gripe aside, I felt that this issue upped the stakes of what’s going on and raised the tension levels with the cliffhanger to keep this new arc rolling. As always, the writing does a superb job setting the tone and intensity level but when you add in the consistently fantastic artwork of Mooneyham, well, what more could you ask for? Words on a page can set the stage but when they are put around artwork perfectly suited for them, those words come to life right before your eyes. The fight sequences feel as if those stationary panels are moving like frames through a movie reel. The two-page spreads show the scope of the situations that Fabian finds himself in, and the final page – what I’ve been calling the cliffhanger – puts that tension and intensity level at the peak of the issue, leaving you in high anticipation of what’s coming next.

I know I am like a fan boy stuck on repeat when it comes to reviewing this series, but it truly is one of the best I’ve read in a while. Each issue is packed with action, but it also has the adventure side and character build that makes each issue the full package. And the best part is, it’s completely unlike most of the other comics your local shop is saturated with. If you are looking for a comic that has strong characters, great writing and phenomenal visual storytelling, you need look no further.

Rating: 5/5.

The writer of this piece was: Shane Hoffman (aka “Hoff”)

You can also find Hoff on Twitter.