Aaron Hillburg meets HENRY BLACKHEART!
After barely surviving against CU, Hillburg thinks he has a moment to regroup. Think again!
Blackheart is hear to take down a threat and the time for talking is over!
FIREBORN #5 by Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Brian Andane Mark Dale, & Micah Myers (IMAGE COMICS) begins “SHOWDOWN!”
BRACE FOR IMPACT!
FIREBORN #5 by Curt Pires, Franklin Jonas, Patrick Mulholland, Brian Andane Mark Dale, & Micah Myers (IMAGE COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Pires and Jonas present a magnificent way to weave events together for this crossover. The opening pages shows Aaron’s recovery form his encounter with Henry. The writing is sharp as he tries deflecting Julian’s inquiry. This leads into some normal high school hijinks. However, the next part is anything but normal. The back story on Aaron’s encounter with Henry. It is every bit action packed as fans would want and expect from this series. Pending on when you read this before or after Lost Fantasy #13, the version of events favors the lead character here. The resolution is excellent in delivery, spinning Aaron into a new space.
The addition of Isaac Hillburg proves to generate enough friction to sway Aaron’s focus. Their encounter is brooding with deep wounds. Isaac’s non-chalant attitude eludes to more danger. Readers watch as the fracture relationship isn’t going to mend anytime soon, but adds more friction to Aaron’s already complicated life. This pushes events towards a steady close with new threats arising. A solid build to a exciting future indeed.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
The panels throws a few different looks with dual artists taking reigns. Mulholland’s full page image of a beaten Aaron in school makes quite the opening statement. His reactions of exhaustion and dread offer some breaks from the drama with Julian’s curiosity. It’s a small pause before the main event unfolds. For anyone wondering how this encounter would all go, rest assured, THIS brought the action!
Andane’s full page look of Fireborn striking Henry’s sword is a loud moment. This pushes the pace to another spectacular full page face-off. Panel staging is key to keep events moving at a kinetic speed. It leads Readers around with no chance to catch a breath. The build kickstarts another amazing full page fighting look. Aaron’s “Hail Mary” moment is a montage of full page images that reflect the insanity of his current stat quo. This moves events into a steady landing space for Mulholland to resume.
Readers watch as the encounter with Isaac is as uncomfortable as expected. The full page look oozes his charm while Aaron’s response is less than welcoming. Their back and forth leaves more uncertainty for the future. At this stage, the issue wraps up with another huge full page look at Aaron’s problems. An excellent ride from beginning to end.
READ LOST FANTASY!
Timmy Heague, Luca Casalanguida & Lee Loughridge craft an intense look at Edge’s quest for Abraxus. The writing shows his brash confidence as he attempts a painful connection. This spirals into a tragic and brutal look at the sacrifices made in Edge’s life. It provides a brooding clarity as his life unfolds before the Dragon’s eyes. Casalanguida & Loughridge weaves panels of death and rebirth through a young man’s unbreakable will. Heague’s inner monologue for Edge stamps this point home. It illustrates the levels of vengeance that fuels him. This ushers in a shocking final page where the art team constructs a terrifying full image. An instant show-stealer to even the amazing action out.
FINAL GRADE: 9
“SHOWDOWN”’s hype lives up to the top billing! Pires and Jonas present a non-stop thriller with the two heroes facing off. The art teams shine in orchestrating all the amazing chaos. Factor in the incredible back-up by Heague, Casalanguida & Loughridge and there’s no excuse not to leave the LCS with this and Lost Fantasy #13 in your collection!
Let me know your thoughts on FIREBORN #5 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
