Spread #07
Writer: Justin Jordan
Artist: Liam Cobb
Colorist: Felipe Sobriero
Publisher: Image
Spread’s first arc did a phenomenal job of not only developing a world where an alien force had been set loose and had essentially apocalyptic consequences for mankind (well, basically all living life on the face of the Earth), but also in giving us a unique cast of characters through which to explore this environment. Arc 1’s finale saw a LOT of big changes happening to the status quo of the series: Hope’s ability is no longer a secret, Ravello AND The Preacher are bound in a matrimony MOST unholy, and Fat Jack joins the “No Hope” crew. Molly’s doing fine too, in case you were curious. But with all these developments, issue #7 gives us a flashback into the origin of one of Spread’s more intriguing characters – sorry Ravello fanboys, this month we’re peering into the Preacher’s history.
Who was the Preacher prior to the Spread? As we come to learn this issue, not a man of faith. As humanity is in its last throes, a small squad of scientists discovers a boy in the midst of the Spread, and risk life and limb to save him. The boy, however has already been infected – but all is not as it seems as he is taken into the armored mobile fortress/laboratory these explorers call home.
This issue does a lot to return Spread back to some of its foundations in the horror genre – we get to see mankind in desperation, and acting like animals backed into a corner; but, you know, with science and stuff. We get to see not only how/why the Preacher came to accept his role in the dying days of man, but also how a small troupe of humans all reacted differently to the onset of the Spread, as well as the boundaries between morality and survival. Yeah, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but this issue was a great opportunity to flesh out a character who has profound implications within Spread’s world, as well as to ground him in his former humanity.
The inclusion of Cobb as a guest artist was a very nice treat – don’t get me wrong, I very much prefer contiguous art within series and LOVE what Strahm’s been doing, but whether by design or mishap Cobb got a chance to show his stuff and he made it worth it. He clearly has an understanding for how to represent the visceral, and does Strahm proud in stepping up to bat (or draw? Whatever.). My complaint this time around shifts its focuses towards Jordan for a change – for such a grand back story for a character who has most likely played no small part in the downfall of mankind (or at least what remains of mankind), I feel that there could’ve been more exposition granted to hashing out the Preacher’s origin. Personal bias, yeah, but I like some fleshed out lore.
All in all, another good issue to a great series, although not its strongest one. This is the initial issue to arc 2, however, and that means we’ve got plenty of room for improvement as well as impetus to build.
Artist: Liam Cobb
Colorist: Felipe Sobriero
Publisher: Image
Spread’s first arc did a phenomenal job of not only developing a world where an alien force had been set loose and had essentially apocalyptic consequences for mankind (well, basically all living life on the face of the Earth), but also in giving us a unique cast of characters through which to explore this environment. Arc 1’s finale saw a LOT of big changes happening to the status quo of the series: Hope’s ability is no longer a secret, Ravello AND The Preacher are bound in a matrimony MOST unholy, and Fat Jack joins the “No Hope” crew. Molly’s doing fine too, in case you were curious. But with all these developments, issue #7 gives us a flashback into the origin of one of Spread’s more intriguing characters – sorry Ravello fanboys, this month we’re peering into the Preacher’s history.
Who was the Preacher prior to the Spread? As we come to learn this issue, not a man of faith. As humanity is in its last throes, a small squad of scientists discovers a boy in the midst of the Spread, and risk life and limb to save him. The boy, however has already been infected – but all is not as it seems as he is taken into the armored mobile fortress/laboratory these explorers call home.
This issue does a lot to return Spread back to some of its foundations in the horror genre – we get to see mankind in desperation, and acting like animals backed into a corner; but, you know, with science and stuff. We get to see not only how/why the Preacher came to accept his role in the dying days of man, but also how a small troupe of humans all reacted differently to the onset of the Spread, as well as the boundaries between morality and survival. Yeah, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but this issue was a great opportunity to flesh out a character who has profound implications within Spread’s world, as well as to ground him in his former humanity.
The inclusion of Cobb as a guest artist was a very nice treat – don’t get me wrong, I very much prefer contiguous art within series and LOVE what Strahm’s been doing, but whether by design or mishap Cobb got a chance to show his stuff and he made it worth it. He clearly has an understanding for how to represent the visceral, and does Strahm proud in stepping up to bat (or draw? Whatever.). My complaint this time around shifts its focuses towards Jordan for a change – for such a grand back story for a character who has most likely played no small part in the downfall of mankind (or at least what remains of mankind), I feel that there could’ve been more exposition granted to hashing out the Preacher’s origin. Personal bias, yeah, but I like some fleshed out lore.
All in all, another good issue to a great series, although not its strongest one. This is the initial issue to arc 2, however, and that means we’ve got plenty of room for improvement as well as impetus to build.
A Look Inside
