Publisher: Image Comics
Writer(s): Daniel Freedman, Sina Grace
Artist: Sina Grace
Release Date: 5th March 2014

Another week, another BCP Group Review, and this week we’re casting our combined eye over the final instalment (for now, at least) of the truly fantastic Burn the Orphanage. The first two issues have scored incredibly highly, but does the third part of the trilogy live up to the hype? Take a look and see what we thought.

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Blair Says…

Another example of the often-diagnosed problem of “one issue too far.”

I really enjoyed the first two issues of the ‘Burn the Orphanage: Born to Lose’ trilogy. It harked back to the excellent TV programmes, computer games and music that I grew up with; while simultaneously providing a ludicrous story and witty dialogue. Unfortunately Issue #3 takes these ideas and crashes them into the ground like a drunk Denzel Washington.

The issue opens with the betrayal of our main character, Rock. Rock is subsequently sent to another world to pay for his “sins”. What follows are endless pages of ‘Dear Deirdre’-esque relationship advice, delivered completely out of character from Rock’s two best friends, Bear and Lex.

The dialogue was poor, the pop references were poor and the computer game reference soaked “Blood Trial” that Rock is forced to endure is simply grating. I found it to be a very disappointing issue.

I highly recommend you check out Issue 1 and 2… and leave Issue 3 firmly where it belongs, on the shelf.

Rating: 1/5.

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James Says…

After two stellar rounds, the ultimate homage to the arcade ‘Beat em Up’ has turned into a bloated cut scene you’d hammer X to get through. The humour has been swapped out for trivial banter about relationships. Too much time is wasted with Bear and Lex’s melodramatic chit chat while Rock is off fighting the same demons he’s fought already in some introspective nightmare.

The throw-backs to classic videogames are still there but fail to hit the mark as spectacularly as they did in the past. It does end well but it’s a shame laughs are replaced with such meaningless feelings. There is still plenty life in this series though and I’m up for inserting more coins to continue.

Rating: 2/5.

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Joe Says…

The first two issues of Burn the Orphanage were brilliant. A three hit combo of action movies, comic books and “retro” video games (I’m old enough to not consider Final Fight and Streets of Rage retro) it was funny, unpredictable and off the wall. I loved it.

This issue? Not so much I’m afraid. The storyline involving Rock is good – and includes some nice video game riffs – but smack bang in the middle of it is an extended conversation between Rock’s pals Lex and Bear on the topic of love and heartbreak. It’s a weird detour that feels like it’s been added in to pad out the story and really takes away from the immediacy of the comic. The artwork is fine but seems much more engaged with the story when experimenting with visuals inspired by videogames.

Still, the first two issues were great and with the promise of an ongoing Burn the Orphanage series coming and a kick-ass set-up for ongoing stories, I’ll stick another fifty pence in the slot to try the next round.

Rating: 3/5.

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Al Says…

Dammit, they forgot all the good stuff this time.

As much as I have enjoyed Burn The Orphanage so far, this oversized third issue unfortunately managed to grind on me a bit. The arc wraps itself up fine, leaving ample room for character development, but this issue just has too much uninteresting dialogue from the two least interesting characters, as well as yet another 2D videogame homage that has already worn thin. I know that sort of call-back to the 80s and 90s is kinda the point of the book, but it seems that this approach is all that the series has to entertain readers. There is a new series on its way in the coming months, but the creators need to do something to stop this book from being merely a one-trick pony.

The issue did redeem itself slightly by acknowledging that Kat Dennings’ character in ‘2 Broke Girls’ isn’t funny, but that’s not enough for this reviewer.

Rating: 2/5.