Playing by the rules isn’t easy.
Creative Staff:
Story: Fabian Rangel, Jr., Javier Caba
Art: Javier Caba
Colors: Javier Caba
Letterer: Ryan Ferrier
What They Say:
In the second chapter of Hermanos de Sangre, it’s the Soliz brothers versus a pack of werewolf gangsters! Later, at an auction for magic items, the brothers find themselves having to deal with demon luchador, El Demonio! While Diego tries to find out who purchased the cursed Aztec skull, Gabe is in for the match of his life!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening installment of this series didn’t blow me away but it was doing some very fun stuff with some creative elements that aren’t usually up my alley. Trying new things is always a good thing as it can expand interests and while I don’t think I’ll be seeking our luchre material or anything, it’s fun to watch here. Rangel and Caba put together a busy but fun first issue that kept things moving at a really good clip, reminiscent in some ways for me of some of The Spirit books I’ve read over the years. Caba’s artwork definitely is appealing with how he works layouts and designs here to make it work and there’s some fun creativity to the creature designs.
With the brothers seeking out the Aztec skull, the opener is all about the action thanks to the werewolf gangster pack that they came across. The action works really well as it’s comically back and forth and their expressions are a whole lot of fun to watch as they deal with the threat at hand, especially with Gabriel. When it shifts gears to the precinct since the pack is easily picked up for what their criminal activity, it gives Diego a chance to work some magic in interrogation to get the details they need. This fleshes things out a bit with some of their natures as werewolves and how the underworld works but also gives us a little time with a Calavera encounter that happened previously, giving the brothers a clue on how to proceed.
That it takes them to a secret auction house definitely makes for some fun, particularly as it lets the ghostly side take the lead for a bit with Diego’s ability helping them to find where it’s hidden inside. The interest in items like this would likely be both public and private to be sure and Caba delivers us a great look at some unsavory types as the whole thing goes off the rails thanks to Diego’s nature. That it turns to chaos and action is no surprise, it’s how the brother’s work, but it’s just fun with the energy that comes from it, whether with the mask that’s brought to life to fight Gabriel or the intense way that Diego works in trying to get what he needs. That Medusa may be involved sets the stage for the next issue but this one largely works a solid kind of procedural angle in familiar ways once again, just with the supernatural elements.
In Summary:
Blood Brothers doesn’t dig deeper into things here but moves the storyline and investigation forward with a few nods, from a ghost that knows the brother’s father to a look at Calavera trying to hawk the skull. The a lot of action in both of the main sections that the book works through and a fun interrogation sequence, the whole thing is a quick read that’s definitely worth a second and third read through to soak up the artwork and what it presents. A lot of fun and a nicely creative take on a familiar story arc.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: July 26th, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
