“Critical Hit” #2 takes a more character driven approach, and engrains itself in the real world horror of vigilante justice with a legitimately shocking issue. I was floored by the final page, and shocked by the horribly realistic scenario Matt Miner’s heroes have found themselves in.
WRITTEN BY: Matt Miner
ART BY: Jonathan Brandon Sawyer
PUBLISHER: Black Mask Studios
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: October 29, 2014
Despite looking like seasoned vigilante veterans, Jeanette and Sarah are still cutting their teeth on the whole ordeal. As we’re taken back to the hell they’ve found themselves in from taking on some real asshole hunters, Miner plays around with time and builds some relationship drama between the two heroines that adds a lot of mileage to the concept.
Jeanette and Sarah aren’t used to working together, and they couldn’t be more different. They have similar ideals but have different ways of going about them. The tension between them is palpable, but their cause units them. It makes for a much more engaging read, given the current hellscape their trapped in.
Jonathan Brandon Sawyer is a gift from the gods. His vibrant work lends a sense of urgency to the entire book that is felt on every page. He is able to snap between a vibrant display of exploding fireworks and intense violence at the drop of the hat. It’s crazy how well he can balance either side, as Miner’s script throws more than one curve ball at the artist, and he nails every dramatic turn.
Doug Garbark’s colors are nothing short of incredible when combined with the art. I was blown away by the aforementioned fireworks display, and frankly I’ll be shocked if you aren’t as well.
It’s interesting to see the two ideals at odds with one another on the page. It offers a great deal of insight into the struggle of animal rights activists. How far is too far? And what is the right course of action isn’t always too clear, and even behind our like minded protagonists there is a great deal of doubt. It’s something to admire, as it doesn’t give a clear through line to follow, and shows the grey area that comes with passionate moral judgment calls.
Then you see just what happens when you get too caught up in something to see you’re fucking with the wrong people. The hunters that our liberators pissed off in the first issue aren’t going to play nice, and they’ve pushed our female heroes into a corner that shows almost zero sign of escape.
The issue ends with a sense of urgency and desperation that I haven’t felt in another comic recently and for “Critical Hit” to give it to me is wonderful. Not only was I sick to my stomach by the final page, but I was so furious that I wanted to get up off my ass and do something.