Review – Ten Grand #7 (Image Comics)

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: C. P. Smith
Release Date: 12th February 2014

Ten Grand has been an interesting series to follow, dealing with issues such as the lengths a man will go to to see his dead wife (and possibly save himself) and in the latest issues, exploring the boundaries between heaven and Hell.

Straczynski has created a universe here not unfamiliar to readers of Vertigo titles such as Sandman and Constantine where Hell is a construct and there is a space in between, where angel and demon alike can Rome. The depth that has gone into this shines through in this dialogue heavy issue where we find out what happens when an angel “dies” and get further insight into our lead character’s never-ending arsenal of devine weaponry. While its a departure from the crime/detective feel of the first arc with Ben Templesmith on artist duties, the new supernatural feel to it is more than welcome.

After Templesmith’s departure a few issues ago, C.P. Smith stepped up to the plate on artist duties, and while there are similarities In style, Smith’s landscapes and backdrops are nothing short of beautiful in a macabre kind of way. Stylistically, it has a much more computerised, blocky feel towards the character structure which I think might initially put readers off, but when taking into account how the book looks as a whole, I think it looks perfect for the feel that Straczynski has been going for.

Leaving the reader on another cliffhanger, we seem to be moving towards more answers (although no doubt will be left with more questions instead), but I’m happy to stay on for the ride and see where this story it ends up.