Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 6: See

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: C.P. Smith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(3/5 ★★★☆☆)

(Cover by Ben Templesmith)

"I killed my father. It was my first hit." - Joe Fitzgerald

The previous issue started with a new illustrator of Ten Grand. New imagery of the series was presented as Joe walks down the road to hell. As the story gets deeper and nearer to the gates of hell, Joe finds himself lost and confused as his memory is strangely wiped clean of the events that occurred in his life. Most especially events that involve Laura.

In this sixth issue of Ten Grand, we are shown how Joe normally operates as a button man for Mr. Antonio. Along the way he met the angel Jehoel, who was said to be the Liege Commander of the Seraphim. This issue concluded with Joe's memory finally restored.

This issue tones down a bit from its regular climactic feel. Towards the later half of the story it somehow became poetic. As for Smith's illustrations, I could say that it was weird seeing Joe's ear on the scene wherein he just entered a random room to evade his enemies. It's strange that his right ear appears swollen. For the fight scene between Jehoel and a Seraphim, personally it was quite confusing. I just can't follow what is happening other than the fact that both of them are fighting against each other with Jehoel winning it. On the other side, the funniest thing that Smith made was the splash page wherein Joe was seen to be having this weird expression as soon as he realizes that he's holding a sword in flames.

There's just a little thing that I've noticed on Templesmith's cover. He drew Joe on the cover with an appearance of a halo on his head. I'm not sure if this is a foretelling of things bound to happen in the future.

Overall, I would say that the story slowed down for this issue. Despite having angel Jehoel, Mr. Antonio and a peek at Joe's childhood, it still didn't hyped me up while reading this issue. I guess the only thing worth seeing is the return of Joe's memory. Other than that, I personally could just skip this issue. Mostly it is worth buying for the nice graduation message made by Straczynski written on Joe's Counter. The 4 page preview of the 1st issue of Apocalypse Al is worthy to be read as well.

"Love is the only thing worth dying for. I should know, I've done it plenty of times." - Joe Fitzgerald

More of Ten Grand can be seen at:

Joe's Comics: www.studiojms.com

Image Comics, Inc.: www.imagecomics.com