REDCOAT #17 (GHOST MACHINE/IMAGE COMICS)
Albert is very untrusting of this new somewhat alliance that Simon and Benedict Arnold have. Albert has every reason not to trust Bennedict and is confused about why Simon would ever believe a word he says. So, is Benedict Arnold truly a changed man or is this a cunning way for him to get his revenge?
Redcoat #17 - 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:
Albert Einstein meets up with Simon Pure after his surprising meeting with Bennedict Arnold. Simon tells Albert that appears that Arnold is a changed man and he wants to help both Simon and Albert. Einstein is very skeptical about this and does not even hide it from Bennedict when he shows up. Arnold tells them that to get the secret ritual to become immortal, that they will need to go to the historic house of Paul Revere. Once there they can retrieve the knowledge they will need. However, they may not be the only people that have this same idea.
WRITING:
This issue is a little underwhelming and feels like filler. Geoff Johns does deliver some cool alternative history which is of course a staple of this series. However, outside of that there isn’t much sustenance to this issue. The lackluster way they portray the can they trust Bennedict Arnold story, feels very dismissive and lacks any kind of real suspense. The issue is very wordy without conveying much if any real emotion. Aside from the Paul Revere backstory, the issue contains little of significance until it reaches its unexpected cliffhanger ending. That does set up what should be a more eventful next issue but doesn’t save this issue from feeling like a mediocre filler issue.
ARTWORK:
The illustrations in this book vividly capture the early 20th century. Bryan Hitch and Andrew Currie excel at creating an immersive world, drawing readers deeply into the historical setting. Their depictions of the early 20th century effectively establish the period in which the story unfolds, anchoring it within its alternate history. Simultaneously, they skillfully portray the characters in the story, making them both recognizable and their own at the same time.
Brad Anderson enhances the artwork with his thoughtful color palette, reinforcing the look and atmosphere of the era. His use of various brown shades gives the visuals a weathered, aged feel, emphasizing the time period of the story. The art team as a whole brings the world of Redcoat to life every issue and never disappoints.
Check Out My Review of REDCOAT #16
Final Thoughts:
Redcoat #17 comes across as a filler issue with not a lot going on for it. The issue doesn’t really move the story forward except for the events of the last pages which hopefully show some promise for the next issue. As a fan of this series, I felt this issue was disappointing from the story standpoint. However, the artwork still delivers as this art team is one of the best in the business today. If you are like me and a big fan of this series, you will read this out of duty and move on to hopes for the next issue. However, if you are a more casual reader of this series, you can skip this issue because you will miss nothing at all.
FINAL GRADE: 5.5/10
Let me know your thoughts on Redcoat #17 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
