“What Goes Up”
(No Spoilers)
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Pencils: Scott Clark
Inks: Dave Beaty & Walden Wong
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Wes Abbott
Assistant Editor: Katie Kubert
Editor: Bobbie Chase
Cover: Scott Clark
Edmondson and Clark deliver another action packed issue of Grifter. There have been a few that have grown weary with all the action, but Edmondson takes the story in a couple of different directions which could have easily been solved with some tried and true storytelling. This has left the title open and left us wondering where it will go next.
This book is plotted like an action movie. It’s a combination of Scott Clark’s layouts and the situations Nathan Edmondson puts these characters in. I get a very James-Bond feel to the story because he’s taking us to interesting locations having the characters solve the problems presented by doing some pretty crazy things. If Edmondson hadn’t given Grifter some of the abilities he did, Grifter wouldn’t have lasted long in this book. The Daemonites have been established as a legitimate threat and we’ve seen how normal humans haven’t fared well against them for very long.
We get to see a little more of Grifter’s love-interest, Gretchen, in this issue. Because of the situation they find themselves in, we don’t get to know more about her character but I was happy to see she can hold her own against the Daemonites. I can see why Grifter is attracted to her. To round out the cast, Grifter gets more support from the mysterious woman Sofia, who seems to be more than prepared to face the Daemonite threat. There was an obvious path Edmondson could’ve taken the story with these three but I’m glad he chose to throw us for a little loop to keeps things interesting.
I’m still very much enjoying this title but I would’ve been disappointed if Edmondson had taken the easy way out of this story. I’m glad he chose a different route and it’s makes next month’s issue that much more anticipated. Because the solicits show us it’s Grifter vs. Midnighter! I can’t wait!
7 out of 10 (Above Average)