Think Tank #10
Outbreak Part 2
Co-Creator and Writer: Matt Hawkins
Co-Creator and Artist: Rahsan Ekedal
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Editor: Bryan Rountree and Betsy Gonia
Publisher: Minotaur Press, a Top Cow Productions Company
OUTBREAK: Part Two
Slacker genius Dr. David Loren made a calculated gamble that the US government would never allow his latest DNA-targeting virus to go airborne… and lost. Can he mitigate the collateral damage triggered by his deadly invention? Or will he lose everyone he loves?
In the words of Top Cow:
The pieces are sliding into place as Dr. David Loren faces the aftermath of his botched mission in Taiwan. Although rumors of his death may have been greatly exaggerated, the rest of the world takes the U.S. government’s reports of his demise as gospel – not that he’s in any position to discredit them. Locked in solitary confinement under the watchful gaze of General Clarkson, does David stand a chance of escaping? And just where the heck is the lovely Mirra Sway?
Just when I think I know where Matt Hawkins is heading with this story, he throws another curve ball. That is just one of the reasons that I look forward to each issue of this series. Not only does he know how to develop characters, that the reader can relate to and care about, but he knows how to craft a story that has the reader wanting to know more. To know what is on the next page and wish that this book had more pages. If he keeps this up I am going to start calling him the master of suspense. Just like a well developed television series where each episode has the viewer gasping in surprise and wanting to know what that last scene means for the next episode, each issue of Think Tank does the same.
As for the art, if you have ready any of my prior reviews you know that Rahsan Ekedal has shown me the error of my ways when it comes to black and white comics. But that isn’t all. His art seems to grow stronger with each issue, from the facial expressions to the technology, from the cute moments with Newton to the dreadful moments of death and destruction, his art handles each with finesse and strength that brings a level of beauty to even the ugliest of moments. Even after 10 issues I find myself going back to look closer at the detail in his art. To find the little things, that in my rush to know what happens next, I might have missed. Not once have I found myself wishing for color on the pages, as there is plenty depth, texture and detail making it feel just right for this story.
And as with the prior issues, I must stop here lest I slip up and start to share spoilers. So do yourself (and me) a favor, go read the book so I don’t have to bite my tongue much longer.
This book continues to sit at the top of my Must Read list and should be on yours as well.
Final score? Continuing it’s perfect track record with yet another 10/10. [Thought I was going to be able to at least ding them this issue for not having my favorite character present and then what do they do? They have Newton in yet another unbelievably cute scene which I won’t say anymore about lest I spoil it for you.]
Preview pages available on the Top Cow site
