FREE PLANET #11 (IMAGE COMICS)
Freedom is not without sacrifice.
As the Freedom Guard deals with a crippling embargo, drastic measures are taken. Dumuzid has food and supplies Lutheria desperately needs. The guard goes into action, but have the people already started a new revolt? Only one way to find out.
FREE PLANET #11 by Aubrey Sitterson, Jed Dougherty, Vittorio Astone and Taylor Esposito (Image Comics) takes readers into the dark avenues of survival.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the latest in the fight for freedom.
FREE PLANET #11 by Aubrey Sitterson, Jed Dougherty, Vittorio Astone and Taylor Esposito (Image Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Sitterson takes readers into uncharted territory for this latest chapter. The mission for food is one with deadly force. Keen’s covert movements launch into a rising body count. Seeing someone like Basil unleashing his weapons is a statement maker. This escalates to a fever pitch. The writing breaks down everything the readers need to know on reasons why. Once they arrive at their destination, characters become morally grey. This is very evident with Keen. He’s willing to go some places others fear. The result is mounting tension reflective of the stat quo.
Even when the involvement of defeating the Far Star Security takes over, the writing never lets up on the fight. Crater’s involvement only complicates matters further. It IS Jackson Crater we’re talking about, right? As events wind up back to their stations, the writing allows for the more personal moments to take hold. This also gives Jackson and Gloria their moments of conducting business. Readers see the connections between the Guard are becoming more strained by the day. The moral compass is clearly broken as questions of right and just are challenged. This moves to a more surprising close than expected. Two of the guard connect as the weight of problems mount. Suffice to say, Freedom’s cost is becoming too great.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Dougherty and Astone bring out the ugly side of survival in the art. Keen’s attacks are vicious as he maneuvers in shadows. Basil’s movements are blunt and unapologetic. This kickstarts a series of two-page splashes. Readers are very familiar in the ways the art team uses this method. Each series is heavily layered in details. This moves events into a combustible sweep as the Guard makes their demands known. The tension is pouring as Keen and Basil stand off with what to do with a captive. This uneasiness moves right to the personal side of things post mission.
Readers see the Guard trying to salvage some normalcy as they unwind. Hora’s side plot gains some steam with the shady deals she is making. Basil and Katja’s martial issues come into focus via two page splash. It gives way to Gloria’s chess match interrogation. The page structure is unique and eye catching. It gives readers a sense of angling for answers. This also pairs well with Jackson’s shady moves. none might be greater than the final pages. A full page closing shot raises some eyebrows as another dynamic becomes more complex. The attention to details in this series is incredible.
FINAL GRADE: 8.4
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sitterson splits the issue between tough calls and personal strife. Dougherty and company display the dark side of freedom with impressive work. Expect the unexpected every time you pick this series up.
Let me know your thoughts on Free Planet #11 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
