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Published by: Dark Horse Comics
Released on: Oct. 22, 2014
Writer: Mike Richardson
Artist: Gabriel Guzman
Cover artist: Keron Grant
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An ex-hitman is hiding out from the crime family he left behind at an Oceanside cabin, in an undisclosed location. His life seems quiet, he's a different man than he was, and he wouldn't even kill a spider if he doesn't have to. Not anymore. One quiet day at his seaside home a young lady shows up on his doorstep and gives him a sucker punch, tells him his wife is dead, and gets ready to leave. After some discussion, this young lady turns out to be his daughter Denise, whom he abandoned along with her mother when Denise was a small girl. She tracked him here, and if she knows where he is, then he can bet the gangsters he used to work for know where he is. That's not good, and things quickly go sour for the newly re-united family members.
Once in the clear from the first assault, he takes the time to fill Denise in on some of his story, mainly his leaving them for their protection. He also tells her he's done a lot of bad things. But the story doesn't last long, and round two starts in a diner when the goons from the house show up again. Denise makes a run for it, on her father's demands, but makes her case as to being able to take care of herself. Maybe even take care of her dad. She seems to be a chip off the old block.
Dark Horse's very own publisher takes the writer's job on this new mini-series about a hitman in hiding and the daughter he never got to know. Part one starts right off with the action, once some pleasantries are discussed and things are pretty much in high gear from the get-go. Richardson's script stays away from being too dialogue-heavy and quickly establishes the main two characters without too much back story. He quickly and successfully establishes the rift between the father/daughter team but stays clear of the melodrama that can so easily come with angst of youths. Art-wise, things look attractive, with the pencils and inks from Gabriel Guzman putting in some nice detail and some good action sequences, and in a very clean style. Sometimes things are a little heavy on the motion lines, but it certainly does convey the speed and energy in which the scene would call for.
An enjoyable book so far, and at just a four-issue series there probably won't be much time for slow, getting-to-know-you exposition. The first issue is a good one, and should make the reader look forward to the next issue.
