Force isn’t always the solution … but when in doubt – use it.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Daniel Mainé
Colors: Jorge Cortes
Letters: Taylor Esposito
What They Say:
As the War of the Grail wages, Merlin the Magician looks to give himself an advantage by using his deadliest assassin of all time to eliminate his biggest threats in the Order of Tarot. Logan Patrick O’Connell spent his adult life ridding the streets of drugs using his own deadly methods until a mistake drove him from his home in Belfast, Ireland. Once O’Connell met Merlin, his life was forever changed and he began on the path to vengeance. Thus, Zodiac was born.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Under the light of the full moon within the Louisiana swamps, a solitary figure prepares for battle – with blade, armor and firearm at the ready, he is ready for any option … and any outcome. However the enemies he must face are no ordinary foes, even within an abandoned church in Mandeville their drug based machinations are far from normal as the guardians for this venture are allied with the Order of Tarot, most notably being the Page of Swords and Judgment himself. While they stand watch over chemists preparing the latest batch of pharmaceuticals, what they do not know is someone has been watching their operations, and is now ready to assault this base of operations with deadly force all to further his master’s ambitions. His name is Zodiac and his leader is Merlin, both who stand to gain with the failure of the Order and thus further the plans of the mad wizard.
His attack is swift and deadly as he dramatically lands amidst startled workers, guns firing deadly projectiles and easily tearing flesh asunder via claws for those foolish to get too close, either method equally effective with deadly results. However as their own bullets ricochet harmlessly throughout the chaos, a singular target finally emerges even as another flees to see another day, leaving his companion to fall by the hand of this assassin, the Page no longer a threat as his skills were never truly up to par. And yet as the man once known as Logan Patrick O’Connell seeks new information as to the whereabouts of future acquisitions, there is a purpose for his visit to the French Quarter to see a woman named Sybilla, and yet its own significance is not so singular as he would know – all to reflect on his own loss and how it has created the man he is today.
In Summary:
For a character which I would consider as more of a supporting role, it was surprising to learn Zodiac would have his own mini series after he was introduced within Grimm Fairy Tales; this honor is usually set aside for someone who normally has some pivotal function within the mythos as a whole, but as of yet, all we have learned from writer Joe Brusha’s carefully orchestrated tapestry is the tragedy which set Logan upon this self destructive path and only deepened his suffering due to Merlin’s vile goals. If I had to consider his actions so far, the pain and destruction he has faced due to indirect interactions from drugs would cast him within the aspect of your typical anti-hero: someone who is forced to face the horror of loss but instead of seeking swift justice against the direct cause, his pain forces O’Connell to take a different path to punish anyone linked to the problem, in other words – guilt by association. While it is satisfying to learn why his sister was killed and how it traumatised a young boy, and by some part this issue has some ties with the cause, there is still a question as to how or why the Order of Tarot needs to deal with drugs. During the past two years since we were shown the origins of this organization, never before has any mention with this poison been taken into account, always alluding worshippers being lulled into the group as a pseudo-religion and yet never denying for a need to pacify them with outside pharmaceuticals; as such, it almost seems as if this side addition is appealing to Zodiac’s history and thus anchoring him to this illicit activity, all to create a sense of sympathy to Logan for some as of yet unknown intention, made all the more impressionable by his straight forward monologue. And while this may be satisfying to see someone taking a new stand in this war, it feels odd to have the premise become a linchpin in his background all to create empathy for an assassin who may be discarded once his role is no longer needed.
However to create such an abstract backstory for a character who may seem destined for only one purpose, it does not mean the stellar imagery within the title can be just as vacant in definition, and thus this premiere issue serves a dual purpose of both being impressive and communicating the nuances of the man named Zodiac. The grandeur of the series is wondrously projected by the thrilling opening from multi-talented artist Daniel Mainé, allowing the reader to step into an environment which seems gleamed from a Mission Impossible movie, the incentive of impending excitement projected by tight detailing and impressive attention to what we want for this genre of action thriller; but what makes the illustrations all the more enthralling are Jorge Cortes’ mesmerizing array of dark tones, gradients of contrasting colors plus fantastic backgrounds which build upon the sharpness of lines, all blending together elegantly without one element overwhelming another. You cannot but be fascinated by this synergy of artistry, each discipline complimenting the other until we result in a cinematic masterpiece which transforms the story smoothly between panels, never allowing the audience a moment for a breath until it is needed. The fight itself scene is furiously striking, every transition a concentration of motion and yet there is no component wasted in the telling even if there are no faces to portray emotional fervor, all told through movement; however when we are confronted by the Page, it is this opponent’s anger which imparts the essence for survival, no matter how fleeting and powerfully moving in both their convictions. And yet while Zodiac never shows his visage, his actions clearly show how much anger motivates this faceless killer, which makes the exposure of history all the more powerful, showing the reader this is not some mindless murderer, but one who may have some hope for redemption … unless it is already too late.
Zodiac appears on the surface to be a transitional title which serves as filler for a character who may not have much use after his role is fulfilled, but as the reader delves into his story, optimistically the man formerly known as Logan Patrick O’Connell will become something more. Although the captivating artwork keeps readers coming back for more of his monumental adventures, there is also the possibility he will evolve into someone who is as intriguing as the supporting cast and those he is meant to kill. With this initial journey just beginning, there is the wish this title will not end once it comes to a conclusion, and due to all the interest in his development, hopefully it will not be the last.
Grade: A-
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: February 20th, 2019
MSRP: $3.99
