Sheriff of Babylon #5
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Mitch Gerads
There is something that all comic fans must be paying close attention to right now. The rise of Tom King in comics is one of the best things to happen in this industry since titans like Geoff Johns and Brian Bendis started making a name for themselves. Tom King can write a brilliant space epic, a dark and philosophical drama, and a powerful war story while maintaining the same admirable quality. Tom King’s voice in comics is one that will be felt for decades and The Sheriff of Babylon exemplifies why he is such a distinct and extraordinary writer.
Sheriff of Babylon #5 takes a brief break from plot advancements but in no way does anything in this issue feel like filler. It is the middle of the night and neither Fatima nor Chris can sleep. They decide to drink together and share their experiences with the war. Thus becomes an incredibly heartfelt and harrowing issue about two unique perspective on the horrors of war.
Sheriff of Babylon has been so strong at conveying the dynamics between the Iraqi people and the Americans in their country. This is principally reason why this comic feels so unique and so powerful. There is a sincerity to the writing that cannot be found elsewhere in comics. Sheriff of Babylon #5 finds a sincerity beyond these dynamics and delves into the ongoing struggle Christopher has with his place in the world. King smartly uses the idea of meaning repeatedly in this comic to communicate Christopher’s problem. He doesn’t know if the war, or his place in this war, means anything. Great writers go beyond making you understand their characters, they can also make you feel what they are feeling. There was something about Christopher and Fatima’s intoxicated, melancholy fun that made me feel what it is like to be afraid of what your actions in a larger-than-life conflict mean.
On his end, Mitch Gerads is doing the best work of his career. After exploding into the comics industry with his fantastic work on The Punisher, Gerads was a logical and inspired choice to bring Sheriff of Babylon to life. It is difficult to capture the humanity amongst the horror in a series like this. Gerards brings a human quality to the brutality and darkness of this story that is essential to its success.
If you are looking for a light-hearted fun comic, Sheriff of Babylon is something you should steer clear of. Sheriff of Babylon is a heavy and complex read that demands thinking of its readers and rewards them greatly for it. Its violence, honesty, and complex characters come together to create one the best war comics ever written. Issue #5 may be King and Gerard’s strongest issue to date, equally making me feel hollow, disgusted, and hopeful. As all great war stories should.
Artist: Mitch Gerads
There is something that all comic fans must be paying close attention to right now. The rise of Tom King in comics is one of the best things to happen in this industry since titans like Geoff Johns and Brian Bendis started making a name for themselves. Tom King can write a brilliant space epic, a dark and philosophical drama, and a powerful war story while maintaining the same admirable quality. Tom King’s voice in comics is one that will be felt for decades and The Sheriff of Babylon exemplifies why he is such a distinct and extraordinary writer.
Sheriff of Babylon #5 takes a brief break from plot advancements but in no way does anything in this issue feel like filler. It is the middle of the night and neither Fatima nor Chris can sleep. They decide to drink together and share their experiences with the war. Thus becomes an incredibly heartfelt and harrowing issue about two unique perspective on the horrors of war.
Sheriff of Babylon has been so strong at conveying the dynamics between the Iraqi people and the Americans in their country. This is principally reason why this comic feels so unique and so powerful. There is a sincerity to the writing that cannot be found elsewhere in comics. Sheriff of Babylon #5 finds a sincerity beyond these dynamics and delves into the ongoing struggle Christopher has with his place in the world. King smartly uses the idea of meaning repeatedly in this comic to communicate Christopher’s problem. He doesn’t know if the war, or his place in this war, means anything. Great writers go beyond making you understand their characters, they can also make you feel what they are feeling. There was something about Christopher and Fatima’s intoxicated, melancholy fun that made me feel what it is like to be afraid of what your actions in a larger-than-life conflict mean.
On his end, Mitch Gerads is doing the best work of his career. After exploding into the comics industry with his fantastic work on The Punisher, Gerads was a logical and inspired choice to bring Sheriff of Babylon to life. It is difficult to capture the humanity amongst the horror in a series like this. Gerards brings a human quality to the brutality and darkness of this story that is essential to its success.
If you are looking for a light-hearted fun comic, Sheriff of Babylon is something you should steer clear of. Sheriff of Babylon is a heavy and complex read that demands thinking of its readers and rewards them greatly for it. Its violence, honesty, and complex characters come together to create one the best war comics ever written. Issue #5 may be King and Gerard’s strongest issue to date, equally making me feel hollow, disgusted, and hopeful. As all great war stories should.
A Look Inside
