Not For Resale
After Whiteleaf's capture of Tom and co. he plans to turn them over to the Unwritten, but our heroes have other plans.
The Good
As is par the course for this series, a great cover
The issue opens with Whiteleaf welcoming his motley crew of bidders to the secret auction. Among them are Mr. Skate of the Unwritten and Rausch. The exchange between Rausch and Skate clears up any misunderstanding readers may have had about her feelings towards the Cabal. Rausch also establishes just why she isn't to be trifled with during this issue. I always wondered why Pullman (a mad mother f'er by all rights) seemed so on edge around her. Well, this issue I got my answer to that.
We see some of Tom's childhood memories of his time in the sensory deprivation chamber and just how Wilson made him into what he is today. It's pretty chilling how to see how Wilson turned Tom into his living weapon and gross does a great job of showing how the reemergence of these long repressed memories are affecting Tom.
The tension between Skate and Whiteleaf over the information he possesses about Tom was well done.
So yeah, Ritchie's a vampire now, which definitely comes in handy. For example, Tranquilizer darts don't work very well on him. Savoy's shown himself to be intelligent, crafty, and resourceful throughout the series and does so once again this issue. I like the way he engineers his and Lizzie's escape from Whiteleaf's men.
Not to be outdone by Savoy in the area of Badassery, Tommy Boy's mojo is in full effect. That's right, people. The moment we've been waiting for for so long is finally here...Tom can use magic at will. After spending a good 75% of this series, running, hiding, and generally being on the Defensive Tom can now take the fight to his foes.
Rausch has divulges some information about Tom's nature and creation which leaves him reeling. We also learn that she was a mentor to Wilson and her theories and arts may've played a roll in his "birth". The final conversation between these two did a fine job of adding to the intrigue of this series.
The spell Tom lays on Whiteleaf and his guests and their final fate is rather fitting and very satisfying.
This issue ends on a very interesting note which leaves you highly anticipating the next.
The Bad
That stupid, stupid Super 8 ad. I now hate that movie
Equally stupid Lantern banner. Seriously, why's that thing even on my Vertigo books? was a one page ad seriously out of the question or some how less effect?
The Verdict
BUY THIS COMIC!!!
Are you reading this yet? Because you really, really should be reading this. Definitely one of the best ongoings today and one of the last vestiges of that old pioneering Vertigo spirit that made the imprint the force that it was. You can feel that each and every issue of this series is a true labor of love for Carey and Gross. Do yourself a favor and check out the first three trades then buy every issue you can get your hands on. It will make you a smarter, richer, more attractive and successful person...or not, but it will definitely give you an excellent series to lose yourself in.