Cross is getting boxed in on all sides, but he’s definitely the man with a plan.
Creative StafF:
Writer: John Ostrander
Artist: Julien Hugonnard-Bert
What They Say:
Framed for a murder he didn’t commit, Imperial Agent Jahan Cross is on the run from Corporate Sector authorities, and uncovering the secrets behind the mysterious ‘Iron Eclipse’ project-all without the assistance of his missing droid, IN-GA 44. But Cross is not entirely without allies, because he knows these two smugglers with a very fast ship . . .
The Review:
Watching Cross deal with the situations he’s found himself in has definitely been enjoyable over the first two issues. While there was the usual James Bond style spy stuff in the first issue and some action, I really took to the more “elegant” side of things in the second issue as he mingled within the high end financial part of the Corporate sector and the Stark family in particular. It had all the right moves, though it was a bit skimpy on a few aspects that in a way went back to older comics where things happen off panel and you have to fill in the blanks yourself. The complicated nature of what Cross was involved in with trying to investigate things went well since it gave us the idea of where he’s going next with this whole Eclipse project. Of course, things never go easy and that resulted in a chase scene that kind of dominates this issue a whole lot.
Not that it’s poorly done or anything, but it’s just a dominant thing here as Cross continues to make his getaway through multiple means in order to through Espo off his trail as he tries to get to make his way to where he believes the Eclipse project is. Watching how Cross tries to get there is where the fun is since he uses just about all means possible, though we do see he has something of a heart and compassion. There’s a good little call back to the first issue as Cross hooks up with Solo again in order to evade Espo. There’s something cute about him utilizing the whole smuggling thing that we’ve seen from the movies and has been used elsewhere in other stories as well, but it’s certainly appropriate and it’s just part of a larger ruse that Cross is using when dealing with Espo. It’s almost comical how Cross is regularly a step ahead of him and how others try to get Espo to realize this.
As well as Cross does, the things he’s involved with is definitely causing waves and we get a good look at how isolated he is at this stage of his investigation. His contact with the Empire has them almost writing him off since he’s now killed two people and made a lot of enemies. It’s interesting to again have the reinforcement that in this sector, those in power are just as strong as the Empire is in their own way and that there’s only so much the Empire can do there. But it’s the kind of bit that makes it clear just how on his own Cross is and how much he’s actually enjoying it in his own twisted little way. He keeps his composure but there’s just that little edge to his expression at times and the way he does things that reinforces it. When the book shifts to a quiet chase sequence with no dialogue, it definitely evokes some good theatrical feeling but keeps it tied well to the characters themselves.
In Summary:
The Agent of the Empire series continues to be fun and this issue is no exception, though the plot itself is fairly weak when it comes to dealing with the Eclipse project and those involved with it. The focus is kept small, just on Cross himself, as he does his best to get out of the sticky situation that he’s gotten himself into. And the trail of bodies that’s slowly growing. While I would have liked a bit more meat to the issue, it’s definitely fun and that’s largely because of Cross and how he handles himself. There’s a lot of things to the general style of it all that of course reminds me of the James Bond stuff mixed with Star Wars, but it also feels like a lot of the old Star Wars comics as well with its visual design and aesthetic and that’s pretty darn appealing. This is a good issue overall but it just needed that little bit extra to make it feel like it meant more.
Grade: B
Readers Rating: [ratings]
