ADVANCE REVIEW: Rebels #7

Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Matthew Woodson
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Cover Artist: Tula Lotay
On Sale: October 14, 2015

A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away…..

Dark Horse’s War of Independence saga continues with the type of story that still carries weight in today’s world.

In this issue, we meet “camp follower” Sarah Hull.  Thanks to the introduction blurb, writer Brian Wood explains the nature of a camp follower and in the first few pages, we see Sarah performing those duties with skill and the confidence of someone who believes in the cause for which her husband fights.  What follow is a version of how women have been disrespected throughout humans time on earth; using the politics of 1777 to make the point, which is still in place today, although in a more insidious manner.

Brian Wood uses the narrative style of Sarah’s husband’s letter as the means to tell her story.  This allows the reader to forget about the time and instead feel the love and respect that he has for his brave wife.  The script moves along at a fair pace and the dialogue from all involved carries the weight of authenticity.

Matthew Woodson is on art duties along with Jordie Bellaire on colors.  Looking a the art first, there is an element of realism prevalent throughout the book.  This is of huge importance as I am not sure the topic deserves anything else than realism.  The  issues raised in the book are real issues.  The style may not be the most dynamic art, but not every book needs that “superhero” look. Bellaire’s colors really breath life into the art.  The battle scenes feel as chaotic and hot as they look.

The tag line for the issue is “in which Sarah Hill proves her worth”.  I am not sure to whom it is proven.  Her husband already knew her worth.  The reader, via the letter method, sees her worth.  Yet to those for which she fought, her worth is no more than allowed by the law.  Some people will say that’s how it should be, the law of the land is the law of the land.  I would counter by saying what if the law is unjust and doesn’t serve to recognize the individual.  It’s sad to realize, that if we remove the trappings and politics  of 1777, have we as a society moved that far along?

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network

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