Review: Five Weapons Volume 2: Tyler's Revenge

Five Weapons Volume 2 : Tyler’s Revenge

Created by: Jimmie Robinson
Written by: Jimmie Robinson
Illustrated by: Jimmie Robinson
Lettered by: Jimmie Robinson
Published by: Image Comics

Synopsis: It’s a new school year at the School of Five Weapons, and as classes resume there are a few notable changes and along with the return of some familiar faces. There’s a new principal and a new Exotic Weapons Club instructor. Enrique is back as well, and no longer passing himself off as Tyler Shainline. As the school’s new medic, and with the school nurse fatally poisoned, he has to keep his classmates healthy and find her assassin before it’s too late.

Robinson’s creator owned series began as a five issue mini-series. In light of it’s massive success though, it’s now been greenlit as an ongoing series on Image’s Shadowline imprint.

As for Volume 2, it’s a collection of the second set of issues (#’s 6-10) in the Five Weapon’s universe. The decision to release the books as one volume as opposed to standalone issues is interesting, but fits with the feel of the story. There’s so much intrigue and mystery in there that fans might die of anticipation if we had to wait from month to month for releases.

The artwork seems to be going with a trend in modern comics that employs a muted color palette to emphasize the story. Could just be my take on these things, but the result is a more engrossing experience for the reader. Anyway, Robinson’s pencil’s are excellent; crisp lines with a vintage vibe. Definitely satisfies the traditionalist in me, and with in luck, you as well.

As for the story itself, well, that’s where Five Weapons really shines. It has the perfect mix of comedy, action and of course, the aforementioned mystery and intrigue. Robinson does a great job exploring the complexity of Enrique’s reasoning abilities while moving the story along in inventive and nuanced ways. Just check out the fight between Riley the Limey and Connie the Commie. The rest of the cast of characters are just as necessarily quirky, and while not exactly well-rounded (yet), they serve well in their support roles.

My only gripe with the book are some of the borderline stereotypical characterizations of the castÂ (read: Connie the Commie being from Russia). It’s a fine line that Robinson walks with the dialogue in some instances as well. Like I said previously, though, it’s still early in the series and given Robinson’s resume, I believe that the characters are much more than simple caricatures. I think Robinson is purposely and purposefully being slow to reveal their dimensions. They are assassins and assassins in training after all, can’t give away everything all at once.

3.5/5

By Adam Cadmon

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Adam Cadmon

Adam Cadmon is the pen name for a man who has been writing for a few years. Heâ€™s done his share of straight-laced writing, college press, blogging, some other not very glamorous technical writing to keep the bills paid. Itadakimasu.