If you thought having one angry blonde on your tail was bad, just add another and see how much worse it can get!
Creative Staff::
Writer: Lou Iovino
Artwork: Diego Galindo
What They Say:
Britney Waters, aka Red Riding Hood, is recruited by a secret government agency to help take down an extremely dangerous terrorist organization called The Circle. Using the codename “Red Agent,” Britney must locate a hacker named Ditto who may be the only chance the government has at stopping the terrorist group. But The Circle has sent its sadistic laboratory-enhanced soldier Alpha after Ditto, making Britney’s mission much more dangerous than anticipated.
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Alpha has cornered his prey Ditto and the protector named Red Agent is at his mercy. But the hunter has forgotten the most important rule of combat: Never turn your back on the enemy. Although you may not see anyone, there can always be someone lurking in the shadows, waiting to ambush at the right moment. And this time, it is someone who has had previous dealings with this malicious mercenary. A powerful mystic bolt is all it takes to remind him that leaving a foe alive can prove to be a fatal mistake, and if they are allowed to join forces, even more so. This pair of flaxen avengers may be his undoing, but only time will tell who will ultimately have the upper hand.
However, as the twin pursuers decide on their next move, it seems that the foolish hacker that Britney was sent to save will pursue his own venue of vengeance. But, how much trouble can Ditto get into when he goes against The Circle? After all, he still thinks that people are after him for his data breach activities and not for some deeper, darker purpose. What he doesn’t know is that his talents are needed for this shadowy group’s dire endeavours on accessing the programming of the mysterious girl named Eve. But, when he tries to delve into the organisations’ dealings, they have a surprise waiting for the enterprising cyber troublemaker, and it may be the last blunder he will ever make.
In Summary:
This second installment of Red Agent may be a transitional issue allowing the introduction of Avril, but writer Lou Iovino is able to keep the narrative moving by pacing the action with witty dialogue and moving emotional scenes which helps the reader to develop a relationship with the characters. Although we may be familiar with both Britney and Avril from their respective books, their interaction of pursuing the same villain motivates them towards a common goal. However, the grudge that the young witch harbours against Alpha may endanger the mission and it is that animosity which builds the tension in this burgeoning partnership; though their attitudes may be similar, one cannot help but imagine what will happen when they finally do end this game of cat and mouse.
But the story would not be complete if it were not for the dynamic fluidity of Diego Galindo’s artwork. From the start, we are enveloped in the action, the momentum carries us along down the raging rapids of this frenetic narrative, never letting up in the tempo until it crashes us down upon the rocks below. But that journey is still filled with hazards, as each panel is a foreboding boulder reflecting the ferocity etched on each heroine’s face; you cannot but help to make your own sound effects as a grimace of pain or anger viscerally moves us along towards what we know will be an exciting cliffhanger, begging Galindo to show even more. However, this artist knows how to leave the reader hungry, and it is that appetite that will savour until the next time we meet again.
Red Agent is building the suspense as Iovino and Galindo craft their series into a story which makes us become invested in the characters which inhabit this universe. As each issue passes, the interaction between the readers and the characters engulfs us in the narrative, and it is in this reality which we find ourselves lost in the workings of The Circle and wishing we could help Britney and Avril in their pursuit of justice. But with this first meeting, we know it will not end well, but it is that infuriating craving that makes us come back for even more.
Grade: A
Rating: 16+
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 24, 2016
MSRP: $5.99
