Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 2 (Cover Review)

Cover A: Ben Templesmith

Cover B: Bill Sienkiewicz

(Cover A on the left, Cover B on the right)

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics

I finally got the other cover for the 2nd issue of Ten Grand. For the 2nd issue, the two different covers were made by Ben Templesmith and Bill Sienkiewicz. The first cover that I was able to purchase was Cover B, which I had used to make the review for the 2nd issue of this comic. It took several weeks before I finally stumbled upon Cover A.

I'll first go over to the 1st cover. In here, the art looks to have been made mostly by pencil. In here, it showed the scene wherein Joe dies and has been given that precious 5 minutes with his love one, Laura. The artist has indeed managed to capture that scene depicting that precious moment, which is a nice event from this issue to be used as the cover. The only downside for me with this cover is the same concerns that I had with the irregular proportions that the artist did to Laura, which I also mentioned on the review of the 1st issue of this comic. It seems strange for me to see Laura, as drawn by Templesmith, to have large hands, which in this case is seen thru the large right hand. I guess it would have been a bit better if the hands were smaller in size. Just the right size or should I say the norm for a woman at the very least, since that is what I had been picturing since it was said over and over in the 1st issue that Laura was really beautiful.

On the other hand, Cover B's art appears to have been made thru the use of watercolors. In here, the scene is a combination of the three characters of the story. It is composed of the angel, whom Joe simply calls as Angel; Laura who appears to be in heaven; and Joe in which he is seen to be holding a gun.

In comparison among the two, I'd say that I prefer cover A more than cover B. It is because of the scene that it highlights for this issue of the comic. It shows the very root of the story despite a plot which involves angels and demons. It shows the unending and undying love of Joe to Laura, in which it is to be regarded literally in this story.

"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

Comics: Ten Grand ~ Issue 2: Angels Never Lie

Story by: J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by: Ben Templesmith

Rated: M / Mature

Joe's Comics

Image Comics
(5/5 ★★★★★)

(Cover B by Bill Sienkiewicz)

"Never enough time. It's never enough time. Was there enough time?" - Joe Fitzgerald

The previous issue ended with Joe Fitzgerald's new assignment which focuses on Debbie's sister that had gone missing after her involvement with a cult named Divine Will. It involved a guy Joe had thought was dead, because he himself killed him. This very same guy was also involved into causing the death of Laura, Joe's wife.

This current issue continues the story with Joe looking up into Divine Will himself and discovering that the current case he is working on might be connected to Laura's death. There are some scenes in which the reader would be reminded of the movie Constantine. This is due to Joe's usage of gold bullets in order to kill a demon, wherein this was also evident in the said movie. In this issue, Joe once again dies thus giving him his five minutes with Laura before he is brought back to life. This is due to a deal he had with an angel just moments after he and Laura died. The angel said that he could have five minutes with Laura every time he dies due to a righteous cause only if he would approve to be brought back to life and be their tool.  This second issue of Ten Grand concluded with the story getting more intense as the stability of the gates of heaven are tested. Questions regarding as to where Laura's current location is even raised. It was questioned if she really is in heaven or she is just made to believe she is in it.

The art continues to be astounding and some of the funny and misproprotioned body parts of a normal human being that I noticed in the previous issue was no longer included here. The collaboration of Straczynski and Templesmith in creating Ten Grand was awesome. They continue to give light to the grey areas that we know regarding angels and demons. This series is one you should not miss out reading.

"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