Image Comics reviews 5/21/25 – Redcoat 12

May 22, 2025 Jeffrey Lyles Brad Anderson, Bryan Hitch, Geiger, Geoff Johns, Ghost Machine, Image Comics, Redcoat

Redcoat 12 continues the seesaw battle for supremacy among the Ghost Machine brand. The standout title is simple a matter of what came out more recently between Redcoat and Geiger.

Since the start of the title, writer Geoff Johns, artist Bryan Hitch, co-inker Andrew Currie, colorist Brad Anderson and letterer Rob Leigh have consistently delivered an elite Top 10 title.

Redcoat 12 doesn’t deviate from that pattern of excellence as the creative team have somehow managed to find a new level to attain. This arc has been great from the start and seems poised to be the best yet as Redcoat heads to its second year.

Last issue, Simon Pure encountered The Northerner, a mysterious stranger dressed like a member of The Union army. That wouldn’t be unusual as Simon is recalling this moment from July 1864 at the peak of the Civil War.

Funny thing is The Northerner, who also has a young formerly enslaved girl in tow, also has some very modern 21st century weapons suggesting he’s not from around here…or then.

The Northerner is tracking The Cobbler, another mysterious presence who has a vested interest in the South winning the war. Like The Northerner, The Cobbler is not from this time period and is using advanced knowledge from the future to aid the South.

Union troops are aware The Cobbler shouldn’t have knowledge of some of these events and come gunning for him only to learn they’re horribly outgunned.

Johns also touches on some themes of racism and the general mindset about the war ironically with his title featuring a British soldier.

Redcoat 12 would have been entertaining enough with Simon and The Northerner’s interaction but adding a time traveling aspect to a series about an immortal character is even more exciting. The potential cause and effect of Simon trying to fix bad guys from altering the timeline and established history is a fascinating prospect.

It’s definitely something that could keep the title going strong for many more years to come.

Hitch’s artwork remains impeccable. He’s doing such a tremendous job of conveying personalities like Simon’s lackadaisical approach to life and The Northerner’s stoic, focused perspective. Hitch shows off in a sequence with a two-page spread detailing some of Simon’s death and the girl’s heartbreaking question to him about magic.

Anderson’s rich color work is such a strong complement to Hitch’s art as he always makes the best choices to pop on the page. With Simon’s memoirs, Leigh’s precise lettering is key especially for the handwritten sequences.

Redcoat 12 wraps up an outstanding first year with an installment that drastically shifts up the status quo and gives Simon a major role in the course of correcting American history.

This series has been one of the best Image is putting out right now so if you’re enjoying GI Joe, Void Rivals, Transformers, Falling in Love on the Path to Hell and Geiger, you absolutely need to add Redcoat to your pull list.