REDCOAT #16 (GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS)

Benedict Arnold has been released from his watery grave and is surely out for revenge. Albert Einstein has returned to help Simon come up with a plan to put a stop to Arnold’s evil plans for world domination. However, maybe things have changed, and this is a new Benedict Arnold.

Redcoat #16 - Created By Geoff Johns & Bryan Hitch - Inks By Andrew Currie & Bryan Hitch - Colors By Brad Anderson - Letters By Rob Leigh - Edited By Brian Cunningham - Published By Ghost Machine/Image Comics

Credit: Ghost Machine/Image Comics

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

STORY OVERVIEW:

The issue opens with a flashback showing how Simon Pure and a young Albert Einstein defeated Benedict Arnold in 1892. Back then Arnold used a magic relic to turn Simon into a human bomb, that when he exploded it would create a great fire that would incinerate all the unworthy in America. Thankfully they stopped Arnold and trapped him under a shipwreck in New York Harbor. Over the next few years Albert and Simon would team up to stop supernatural catastrophes from happening. Fast forward to 1909 and after a decade of not seeing each other, Albert came to New York to see Simon. However, this wasn’t a fun trip to catch up with a friend, this was to give bad news that Benedict Arnold was freed from his watery prison. This means that both Albert and Simon are in danger, but even worse so aren’t their families. Now they must find Arnold before he finds them, so they can stop him once and for all.

WRITING:

This issue is a really fun read that explores alternative history with real historical figures. Geoff Johns does an awesome job of bringing the readers up to speed on the relationship between Albert and Simon. Johns really shows their bond, which allows the reader to understand just how close their relationship is. At the same time, he builds up how evil Benedict Arnold is, which for any new readers explains what you need to know to understand the issue.

The real genius of this issue though is the uncertainty that Johns portrays at the end of the book. We spend the whole book with the realization of how dangerous Arnold is. But when we get to the final pages the clarity gets a little less clear. Is Benedict Arnold an evil immortal that wants all of the power in the world, or has a nap at the bottom of the harbor changed his mind and heart? This uncertainty about where Arnold stands will surely drive this arc going forward and certainly will create some awesome storylines from it with all the ways you could go with the story.

ARTWORK:

The artwork in this book is wonderful and brings the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s to life. Bryan Hitch & Andrew Currie do an amazing job of bringing the world to life and immersing the reader in the period. The old views of New York really show the reader the timeframe that the story takes place. This really helps keep the story grounded in the alternative history it takes place in. At the same time, they also do an awesome job of showing the supernatural happenings that make this entire series possible.

Brad Anderson’s color choices further the look and feel of the time period where the story takes place. The use of the different shades of brown gives the artwork a dingy and old feel. This further drives home what period this story is based in. The lettering by Rob Leigh really conveys the emotion and tone of the story. Allowing the reader to understand the context of every word used in the story.

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Final Thoughts:

Redcoat #16 kicks off a story that can go in so many directions as we move forward in the series. The questions that are raised in this issue will obviously be answered in the follow-up issues, which creates a need to continue reading this run. This issue also serves as a really good jump on point for anyone who was on the fence about reading this series. This series should be on your Pull List, but if it’s not, it should definitely be on your list to pick up at the LCS this week.

FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10

Let me know your thoughts on Redcoat #16 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!