NEXT LEVEL: ONE SHOT #1 (DC COMICS)
Floyd Lawton has been many things.
Assassin. Father. Teammate. In some circumstances….Hero. Saint is not one of those words.
When he becomes entangled into something greater than bargained for, Lawton only has one change to survive!
NEXT LEVEL: ONE SHOT #1 by Gerry Duggan, Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire & Buddy Beaudoin (DC Comics) sees the dangerous hitman in way over his heads!
Let’s take a closer look at the action!
NEXT LEVEL: ONE SHOT #1 by Gerry Duggan, Fernando Blanco, Jordie Bellaire & Buddy Beaudoin (DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Duggan begins with a brief introduction into the skills of Lawton. Readers watch him take out a hit squad with relative ease. This gives new readers a deeper glimpse into what he brings to the table. As he is completing the mission at hand, the writing shakes everything up. Lawton removes a mask of one of his pursuers. What he discovers sends him moving in the direction of a familiar frienemy.
Readers see Rick Flagg jr. come into view in a very shaken state. The writing stages him as a hyper paranoid soldier. This only worsens when the pair is ambushed during their talk. Pacing picks up as Flagg’s ramblings start becoming more truths After the smoke clears, readers watch Lawton investigate the conspiracy placed before him. His monologue is blunt as he sees something out of the ordinary. After another noable encounter, Lawton’s path sends him into the uncertainty of reality . Readers watch as action is taken which unlocks a Pandora’s box against the world. It leaves events with a haunting presence for the future to come. Great set-up issue for something larger on the horizon.
MORE NEXT LEVEL!
Blanco and Bellaire open events letting Deadshot loose. The explosive full page image puts him in prime position for action. This transitions easily into a bold action page where he goes to work. Using his sniper eye as panels allows readers to get a glimpse of his thought process as he goes in for kills. A half page panel flips the bio presentation before changing lanes altogether. The terrifying full shot of his attackers and following reactions make a statement before going to more searching.
The conversation with Flagg is strained but not without mutual respect. Flagg’s expressions show the wear on his paranoia. As events move locations, Lawton’s mannerisms stay still while he contemplates what’s next. The two page splash in Detroit tips the audience onto what he’s now searching for. Lawton’s journey puts him in the path of a certain vigilante. Their two page face-off is less than kind and unforgiving to cheesesteak lovers. Its’ brief humor moves events into the closing realm. Once here the art flourishes on the twists the story has presented. A striking full shot shows Lawton’s stand against new enemies doesn’t go according to plan. It runs its’ course with a chilling closing panel, with many moving parts to sort out. Solid work all around.
FINAL GRADE: 8.5
A simple job has now spiraled into a mystery Floyd Lawton can’t shoot his way out of. Duggan’s writing stages a great lead-in for something larger on the horizon. Blanco and Bellaire bring the action with fantastic art. Fans will want to keep their heads on a swivel for this one.
Let me know your thoughts on NEXT LEVEL: ONE SHOT #1in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
