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Published by: Image Comics
Released on: Apr. 16, 2014
Writer: Kel Symons
Artist: Mathew Reynolds
Cover: Mathew Reynolds
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Jack and his patchwork submarine crew have a new job promising to pay some big bucks: pick up the spy known as “Top Hat†and get him out of the danger zone. Along on the ride is Commander Graham of the Royal Navy, who really isn't who he says he is. It seems likely he's a British spy going in to get his British spy buddy, Top Hat. Jack doesn't care, so long as he gets paid as promised and without hassles.
One thing they weren't expecting is the pursuit of Captain Tono of the Japanese Imperial Navy, and old enemy of Jack. Once Tono finds them in the Pacific Ocean, they send the sub crew some wonderful packages right off the side of their battle ship. Out of harm's way, for the moment, the crew reaches their destination and a team departs to rescue Top hat behind enemy lines. Well, enemies for the Brits anyway, as this predates the official U.S. involvement in WWII. Graham goes with them, and the hunt for Top Hat begins. And then it ends just as quickly. It doesn't go quite the way everyone hopes it does.
This book just keeps getting better and better, even though it doesn't need to. Kel Symons script and characters are excellent, and the story, along with the time period in which it takes place, makes for a great read. There's not a whole lot of character development with the crew in this issue, but we are treated to some sea battle, and that's a good thing. The real star of the book though continues to be Mathew Reynolds with his beautiful artwork. It's the colors, really. That and his limited use of lines make for an eye-popping experience that will never get old.
The book continues to impress month after month (well, three months so far). It was nice to read that this is an ongoing series, and once this arc is done, it will be interesting to see where these characters and their submarine wind up. It doesn't really matter though, because unless they turn this book into superhero nonsense, this reader will stick with it until its end. It's just going to be one of those books.
