X #8

Released by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: December 11, 2013

Now that the good cops, led by Ruidoso, have managed to secret away X's possible girlfriend, Leigh, they truly have their hands full. Corrupt Lt. Setter has let his “dogs” destroy X's hideout and, now, he wants Ruidoso to turn Leigh over to them for “questioning.”

Not being stupid, Ruidoso puts a plan into motion where just he, Kendrick and Tendler go to the location for dropoff that Setter's given them. That leaves Rizza and Leigh to get acquainted. And come up with their own backup plan in case this all turns sour.

Which it soon does: Setter and his dogs “arrest” the good cops and begin beating them, trying to get at Leigh so they can finish off X once and for all. But Ruidoso and the others won't talk - until Rizza shows up with Leigh as her hostage, demanding an exchange. This distraction allows X to get the drop on them, though, since Leigh was able to convince Rizza to allow her to contact him. X butchers the dogs in short order but, soon, Setter has gravely wounded Rizza and taken Leigh prisoner. X always seems to have a backup plan, though, and soon the tables are turned and things turn out all the better when X lets Setter live...for a price.

Duane Swierczynski's script really picks up the pace in this issue, relying instead on artist Eric Nguyen's excellent big action panels to do most of the storytelling here. It's an excellently-paced entry in the series and moves many of the characters into prime positions for follow-up stories quite well.