Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
The Wake #7 of 10
Vertigo Comics (DC)
Snyder & Murphy
The second part of the second half of this mini-series is another excellent issue. The comic has surprises, some background on the lead character and a tremendous set of artwork. The comic book doesn't feel like a part two, let alone a part seven. It feels like a satisfactory read and that is quite an accomplishment. This is definitely recommended reading.
Murphy is at the top of his game. He simply takes the stage in all aspects of this comic book and that is worth mentioning up front. Some of the visuals in the book are simply to not be missed. Some of the designs he has in this book shows a tremendous range and is visually so detailed that they can studied and poured over. For example, he has a fleet of blimps that have trucks attached to them that are amazingly creative and heavily detailed. Another example is the re-purposing of the cruise line boat, which shows the reader something out of a Mad Max movie only more epic. The book is loaded with spectacular visuals that are only enhanced by the very unique color palette.
As for the story, Snyder provides some details on Leeward's childhood. He doesn't dive into his parent's deaths but the reader is led believe how it all went down. In the present time we get a glimpse of how Leeward's actions from the previous issue have proven to have consequences in this issue.
For the most part, the cruise line is a prison/goods barge where prisoners are made to row the massive boat that is used to transport things. This is an interesting idea because in some ways the size of the boat offers protection from the mer-men, but it becomes such a target that it's hard to see the mer-man not wanting to sink the thing. Synder makes full use of his new toys and the threat against them in this comic.
The book is also strong at the dialogue and the general storytelling. Snyder knows how to compose conversations that have emotion and drama, but he also knows how to bring together panels in the right firing order to tell a deep story.
The Wake has a nice surprise or two in this issue towards the end. It's the kind of issue that makes you want to go back and re-read what came before but impatiently wait for the next issue. It's an issue that looks slow to start off but certainly doesn't stay that way. This is another issue to be sure to pick up.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
