Image Comics reviews 6/3/26 – Rook Exodus 10

June 3, 2026 Jeffrey Lyles Brad Anderson, Geoff Johns, Ghost Machine, Image Comics, Jason Fabok, Rob Leigh, Rook: Exodus

Rook Exodus 10 marks the long overdue latest issue of one of comic’s best reads — when it’s published.

The last issue of the series arrived on Dec. 3. That’s a momentum-killing delay for this story arc that still has two more issues to go before its conclusion.

Rook Exodus 10 definitely won’t win any prizes for promptness, but it’s another sensational installment of the series that in large part justifies the extended delay. Artist Jason Fabok is creating a massive, sprawling world with fantastic character designs, unique backdrops and thrilling action sequences. For the ready to bow down to their AI overlord crowd, imagining a Rook Exodus series that was churned out on a monthly basis with no delays sounds heavenly.

The thing, which Rook Exodus 10 so skillfully showcases, is that sometimes it’s actually just worth the wait. A fill-in artist could do a fine job with the issue, but Fabok’s work is truly special. It can’t be rushed and while thumbing through the pages, the last concern was “It’s been how many months since the last installment?” That’s the power of a series that always delivers.

Rook Exodus 10 finds Rook and Stag are caught in Arachnid’s web levels below where their fellow wardens Dire Wolf, Matterhorn and Bloodhound are ensnared.

Writer Geoff Johns puts the spotlight on Stag this issue revealing his identity and hints at his tragic backstory. Rook Exodus again shows how easy this series would translate to a TV series as each season could spotlight a different warden.

Dire Wolf has been a very cool supporting character, but Stag really does offer that calm, deadly presence of a Snake Eyes, Wolverine or Batman to Rook’s Flint, Cyclops or Superman.

It doesn’t hurt that Stag has one of the best designs of any of the Rook Exodus characters. Fabok definitely was inspired in crafting Stag, who like the rest of the Rook characters would make for an outstanding action figure.

Johns is always outstanding at creating compelling backstories that treat the supporting characters like the stars of the show. For this installment, Stag’s backstory offers useful insight on his perspective and why he wants to take Blood Hound down without fully showing all the important elements. What Johns provides is enough essential information for readers to decide if they like Stag.

It’s going to be hard after this issue for Johns to keep Stag out of the series assuming he survives this arc. Stag screams major breakout character who could go on to head his own spin-off title in this universe.

Colorist Brad Anderson delivers gorgeous coloring work in Rook Exodus 10 from the nuanced blends with the flowers in Stag and his wife’s yard to the darker hues in Arachnid’s web-filled lair. Letterer Rob Leigh uses some enthusiastic fonts for the sound effects to boost the story to another level.

Rook Exodus 10 delivers on everything that’s made the series such a thrilling read. The good news is that Rook Exodus is already slated for a mere one-month break with the next installment set for August.