Image Comics reviews 11/27/24 – Void Rivals #14, Hyde Street #2

Hyde Street #2

While technically the second issue, this is the third full length Hyde Street story following the special issue. This issue focuses on the co-lead, Pip Peabody, who earned his path to Hyde Street back in the mid 1950s.

Writer Geoff Johns spins the dark, twisted narrative of how Pip goes from being a simple Boy Scout to a sinister malcontent. Johns saves some mystery avoiding explaining exactly how Pip arrived on Hyde Street but does show how he became one of the most ruthless collectors of victims for The Scorekeeper. In this installment, Pip encounters a police officer hiding a dark secret of his own.

The trick with Hyde Street is that every character has their cruel fate coming to them. Johns is setting up a fun premise, but a major shift could be if someone who hasn’t done something awful to others suddenly shows up on Hyde Street. Artist Ivan Reis, with inker Danny Miki, brings out fantastic details from the scout’s camping site to Pip’s new police officer friend’s cabin in the woods.

Pip’s demonic appearance is very creepy especially with colorist Brad Anderson finding creative ways to shroud his face in darkness. Letterer Rob Leigh does good work with the sound effects and Pip’s frequent change in tone.

Johns is setting up Mr. X-Ray and Pip on a collision course that could benefit these two prominent residents of Hyde Street or start to unravel The Scorekeeper’s carefully laid out plans. So far this has been a fun read, but this is the one Ghost Machine title that has the best chance to become too predictable too quickly.

Rating: 8 out of 10