Spy Seal #3

Written and Art by: Rich Tommaso
Published by: Image Comics

It isn’t often that I get to be reminded of my childhood while reading comics these days. To clarify, this is mostly because my childhood was spent reading every single European comic I could with the likes of Tintin and Asterix keeping me company. That is why, it was quite the surprise to discover an American-style comic with the same art and story sensibilities as those from my youth.

Spy Seal has been a fun comic to read month to month and I’m sad to hear that with issue #3, we are already at the penultimate chapter of this series. However, that does not mean Tommaso does not continue doing an excellent job in bringing such a vibrant story to life.

As we begin the issue, we join Malcolm and Kes as they are making their way to a town called Flupke by train. On the train, they continue to discuss the mystery surrounding The Corten-Steel Phoenix as well as trying to determine how they will get closer to a Miles McKeller, a former double agent who now works as a spy for communist Russia. However, their search is cut quite short when Miles is able to find them, being on the same train and all.

Fighting ensues followed by a daring escape by Malcolm and Kes, that finally leads them to the town of Flupke where they hope to find some answers to this mystery. Having to be sidelines due to their covers being blown, they leave the snooping to two of their colleagues all while their enemies continue to make their moves.

As was the case in the previous issues, Tomasso’s drawing contribute to making this series extremely unique in the American market today, and I am so happy for it. He continues to not only bring a brightness to his work, but everything is clear and not muddled. Using flat colours helps immensely in conveying his esthetic to the reader.

I have one small gripe though and that is general to the use of anthropomorphic of characters in comics. Especially when it comes to birds like Kes. Having the visual of her “flapping” her arms as if they were wings was a little weird to see on the page, but still, a minor gripe.