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image comics 4-28-21 - bitter root #12
Comic Book

Image Comics reviews 4/28/21 – Bitter Root #12, Department of Truth #8

Jeffrey Lyles , ,
Bitter Root #12

bitter root #12

One of the strengths of Bitter Root is how layered and intricate each issue is so it feels like readers get so much more than an average comic.

Writers David F. Walker and Chuck Brown throw in a little action, strong family interplay and the racial horror they were doing before Lovecraft Country and Them. Charlie explains what happened in Barzakh while Cullen encounters a tree monster and Ford tangles with a grieving mother. All while Ma Etta makes a major decision on the future of the family.

Bitter Root has too many characters to be this compelling. In less confident hands the larger cast would be too overwhelming to make sense of anything, but Walker and Brown do just the right amount of guiding the reader forward to still get the gist of the storylines and character motivations.

And this is an ensemble cast that feels like a family where everyone can be in various locations and operate on their own yet come together when needed.

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Samford Greene’s art was on point this issue as he crafted some thrilling action sequences with creative transitions from one fight to the next. There’s an electric feel to his panels where the character movement is so clear and easy to follow. And when it’s time for quieter scenes, Greene provides unique perspectives so it doesn’t come off too flat.

Sofie Dodgson always adds another welcome element to the artwork with her lush and bold colors.

Bitter Root always is a quick read for me. It’s not like pages are wasted and enough time isn’t given in advancing subplots, but it just flies by and I’m back in waiting mode for the next issue. This isn’t a situation where the story feels artificially stretched out for the trade, but it does feel like long stretches for the next thrill ride.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

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