The third installment of We Kill Monster lingers in a gray middle area that makes it difficult to fairly review without spoiling any substantial plot points. Make no mistake: the issue is good, quite good. But because it stands at the center of the miniseries, offering a worthy critique is a lot like trying to dive safely from a speeding car. And that’s exactly how this comic book moves: like a speeding car. None the less, I’ll give it a shot.
Picking up mid-action where the last issue left off, We Kill Monsters #3 continues to chronicle the adventures of Jake, Drew, and Vanessa as they search for the truth behind the monstrous creatures that are plaguing their lives. And more plagued than anyone is Jake; he is still suffering from a grotesque appendage that’s consistently draining his life away. Drew and Vanessa worry that Jake’s life is in fatal danger if he’s not somehow cured, as the only thing keeping his health up thus far is feeding on the biological juices of the dead monsters that originally poisoned him.
Action and adventure quickly ensue, resulting in high-speed chases and gory explosions. And at the end of the issue, writers Harkcom and Leone drop their first major clue concerning the origin of the monsters. This installment pummels along page after page with unrelenting action, defining the section of the story that clearly marks the rapidly rising action. The comic is filled with the feeling of anticipation that the story is nearing its climatic zenith, and then the inevitable resolution that will follow. Until that occurs, it’s wise to simply enjoy the ride, as the book feels at times like a wild and wacky amusement park attraction.
The story isn’t all road rage and gunfire; the truth behind the Bashers’ past is beginning to reveal itself. As the miniseries progresses, I greatly anticipate the full exposure of Jake and Drew’s inner conflicts, bringing some emotional balance to the blockbuster pace of the plot. We Kill Monsters has yet to disappoint me, and so long as the comic keeps up with the standard its set for itself, I foresee a solid miniseries by the end of the title’s run.
This comic book review originally appeared on Comic News on 22 September 2009.
