Review: Leviathan #2

Although this is only the second issue of Leviathan I am already so deeply invested in protagonist Ryan Deluca’s story and that is a testament to writer John Layman’s painstakingly in-depth character development. This should come as no surprise to those of us familiar with his work on Chew also published by Image. Layman is one of those writers that excels at creating likable characters, not only likable but relatable characters. In Ryan Deluca we have an every man who just happens to have his house party crashed by some uninvited rejects from a Hot Topic sale on Goth attire then crushed by a giant mutated dinosaur monster summoned by the aforementioned Goths in the debut issue. Unfortunately Ryan’s girlfriend, Vee finds herself trapped under a few tons of debris as the monster ravages the city, demolishing buildings, vehicles and anything else in its path.

The second issue picks up directly were the first leaves us, with Ryan’s intended fiance clinging to life in a hospital bed. Layman has crafted a kind of ShakespeareanÂ love story in the midst of a Godzilla film; the relationship between Ryan and Vee is the beating heart at the core of this story, it’s both engrossing and endearing. Layman reaches that inner romantic inside all of us and makes us wish we had someone to fight for and love as much as Ryan loves his Vee (if my wife is reading this, for me that’s you honey). So when Ryan asks the doctor about her condition and explains that he is the boyfriend but has in his possession the ring meant to solidify his intentions of marriage, Layman has our heartstrings firmly in his grasp and tugs those puppies with each line of dialog. Ryan is a man driven by love, his quest to discover just what exactly has turned his life upside down, the lengths that he is willing to go to stop this monster from destroying what is left of his city and his life is poignant while exciting and captivating reading.

While the circumstances that have created these emotional responses are certainly over the top, they are no less touching and human. When Ryan comes face to face with the mech suited, saw blade wielding members of General Tomesina Jaspers’ Operation Extinction the story becomes all action and espionage. Layman weaves these tropes seamlessly into the narrative and what’s more impressive is that the emotional momentum continues to carry through this act as General Tomesina Jaspers takes center stage. There is no shortage of colorful characters, one stand out is Professor Johanssen Avery, a New Age enthusiast, soft rock aficionadoÂ with an affinity for Chicago, the band as is evident by his lapel pin.

Artist extraordinaire Nick Pitarra creates some of the most detailed pagesÂ to hit the racks since Geoff Darrow’s Shaolin Cowboy. The exhaustive attention to detail in rendering Ryan’s apartment alone is mind-blowing, then there’s the character’s themselves, especially the Professor and General Jaspers. Pitarra masterfully renders an endless array of emotive facial expressions for each of these larger than life characters. The “Easter Eggs” in one of his cityscapes could fill a basket, From the Chew movie marquee to the Felix Comic Art building the more you look the more you see. I’ve loved this guy’s work since I first discovered him back on Jonathan Hickman’s The Manhattan Projects and he continues to blow my mind and delight my eyes with his detailed take on the fantastic worlds he shows us. Sometimes gory, often blood-spattered but always amazing Pitarra’s artwork is the stuff of comic book fans’ dream, a sequential art Salvador Dali. Michael Garland and Brandon Daniels do a phenomenal job ofÂ coloring Pitarra’s work bringing all the monsters and mayhem to vivid life. This is a creative team for the ages.

Leviathan is a love story at the heart of a Guillermo del Torro film with a soundtrack by Gwar. It has heart, humor and a hell of a lot ofÂ giant monsters. What’s not to love? The character work is compelling while the narrative is completely engrossing you never forget just how much fun you are having. This is that one comic book you do not want to miss. 5/5

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Writer/Letterer – John Layman
Artist-Nick Pitarra
Colors-Michael Garland, Brandon Daniels