Written by: Michael Avon Oeming
Art by: Michael Avon Oeming
Cover by: Michael Avon Oeming
Published by: Dark Horse
Though probably best known for his work with Brian Michael Bendis on Powers, Michael Avon Oeming has long been one of the best artists, but also writers in the comic industry. His new series from Dark Horse, Victories, explores a city full of corruption, violence and fear. Though there are heroes and villains, those introduced in this issue are anything but clear cut and simple.
Because of the quality of Oeming’s art, Victories is instantly striking and will hold anyone’s attention. The design and use of colour is fantastic and there is not a page that isn’t visually impressive.
The art is great, but the writing matches it. At first I was a little unsure, I was expecting a Gotham with swearwords type city, but I think Oeming is working on something different and special. The two vigilante characters, The Jackal and Faustus are both interesting, with The Jackal snarling and slashing his way through problems and Faustus taking a more traditional route of wisecracking heroics.
Every time it seems like Victories is going to veer into cliché, Oeming does something unexpected. Faustus may initially seem like a standard hero, making jokes as he battles villains, but there is far more to him and his relationship with Jackal will be interesting as Jackal tries to corrupt Faustus to his ways.
I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that the last two pages are incredibly well drawn and set the rest of the story up superbly.
Victories looks to be a very promising comic, there’s plenty for fans of action and vigilantes, but there also seems much more to this series, plus, the art is fantastic throughout.
8/10
