DC Comics reviews for the week of 7/4/18

The Curse of Brimstone #4

Each issue, I’m finding more and more to like about Curse of Brimstone. This is a book that has a very clear agenda, isn’t bogged down by distracting subplots and has a very engaging hook. Not even a change in artists can slow it down.

Like many of the New Age of Heroes titles, Brimstone gets a new artist this issue with Eduardo Pansica. Phillip Tan’s kinetic art helped set the darker mood for the title, but Pansica’s art is cleaner and less atmospheric. Tan’s style fit Brimstone, but Pansica shows the book will do just fine in his absence.

In this issue, writer Justin Jordan takes Joe and Annie on a road trip to stop The Salesman from destroying another town. I like the simple mission format and Supernatural style of storytelling. The siblings find another person with an interest in stopping The Salesman’s plans and he’s also got a ledger. I appreciated Jordan adding in a black character who looks like he’ll be a recurring presence in the mix. It was amusing that Pansica seemed to base this new character, Enoch, after Winston Duke from Black Panther.

Jordan connects Brimstone’s mission with Dark Nights Metal continuing to show that Metal wasn’t just another here and gone event for DC. And to further raise the stakes, Jordan adds in some consequences whenever Joe becomes Brimstone that could help usher in a new Dark Age. This is quietly one of the standouts of the New Age of Heroes and hasn’t needed to rely on numerous guest stars or gimmicks to tell its story. I’m a big fan of this book and remain completely invested in traveling along the road with Annie and Joe.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Image Credit: DC Comics