Comic Review: Spy Seal #2
Publisher: Image Comics
Writer & Artist: Rich Tommaso
Review by PeteR
Rich Tommaso’s Spy Seal: The Corten-Steel Phoenix is an interesting mix of the Spanish series Blacksad and Herge’s Tintin. Since Spy Seal is about a British character, comparing it with other European comics seems appropriate. Like Blacksad, the Spy Seal series takes place in an anthropomorphic universe, full of talking animals. That does not mean that this is a children’s comic in anyway.
Malcom Warner, unemployed ex-soldier and practitioner of Jiu Jistu, along with his friend Sylvia finds themselves accidently embroiled in an attack against a Member of Parliament at an art show. MI-6, impressed by Malcolm’s skills and ability to think on his feet immediately offer him a job as a spy. Issue #2 of Spy Seal begins with Malcolm setting out on his own on is first mission.
Spy Seal #2 has exciting car chases, airplane shenanigans, surreal imagery and angry lizards. Rich Tommaso deftly balances the plot and action. There were a few moments where the dialogue was a bit opaque but it’s worth wading through. The story has many facets so laying them all out coherently involves actually paying attention to what the characters are saying.
Why you should buy this book? Previously I compared Spy Seal to Tintin and Blacksad. That was done to give you a foothold as to what to expect thematically. Spy Seal is a wholly original, intelligent concept, chock full of excellent artwork.
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