Heathens #3

AfterShock’s latest project is progressing smoothly with the collaborative efforts of Cullen Bunn and Heath Amodio on writing duties, complemented by Sami Kivela’s stellar artwork in the opening issue. This creative team, enhanced by Jason Wordie’s skillful colorwork, delivers a book that operates within familiar territory but executes it with finesse and distinctive style. Bunn and Amodio establish the setup effortlessly, ensuring we quickly grasp the premise and familiarize ourselves with the characters before diving headfirst into the narrative. Kivela’s artwork is exceptional, encompassing various time periods and character designs, while the layouts maintain a swift pace that keeps readers engaged.

While the first two issues cover significant ground, this particular installment took a bit longer to resonate with me. As the story progresses, the cast becomes increasingly fragmented, and violence becomes more prevalent. Given that the book revolves around unsavory individuals hunting down Jack the Ripper in the present-day afterlife, this shift shouldn’t come as a surprise. Madame Shih receives the most individual focus initially as she navigates the building where the Ripper resides, leaving a trail of death in her wake. It’s not unexpected that things don’t go according to plan, but it does lead to a face-to-face confrontation between Madame Shih and the Ripper, offering an intriguing twist in the final moments.

The remaining cast members find themselves in a mishmash of situations, including instances where they even turn against each other to obtain crucial information. Sofia’s undercover mission within the facility housing the Ripper provides an unsettling glimpse into its pervasive and disturbing nature, including the indoctrination of children to perpetuate the cycle. Billy’s subplot adds a touch of dark humor as he sets out to protect a targeted prostitute, demonstrating his prowess against the Rippers until the situation takes a grim turn with the arrival of complicit police officers. This issue is packed with action and dialogue, but due to the early fragmentation of the group and a tenuous connection to the previous episode, I personally felt somewhat detached throughout much of it.