Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Frank J. Barbiere
Artist: Chris Mooneyham
Release Date: 23rd April 2014

I simply cannot stress this enough –  if you are not currently reading this series you need to start now! Do yourself a favor and pick up the trade of the first story arc, then make sure to add the series to your ongoing pull list! Frank J. Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham have created one of the best action adventure comics that you’ll find on your local comic shop’s shelves.

This issue is part five of the ‘Lost Coastlines’ story arc and without gushing like a schoolgirl too much, it’s a story that gets better and better with every issue. Fabian has finally reached the strange island, only to find his friends’ boat shipwrecked on the shore and them nowhere to be found. He draws on his Dreamstones to deduce their location and begins his pursuit, only to find himself in dire need of help as both his worst fears and his sordid past come back to haunt him. Not only is he haunted by his past and his worst nightmares, but even his most sought-after dreams seem to come true — only to be ripped away. We are still left questioning what is happening on this seemingly enchanted island, but it happens in such a way that you simply cannot wait for the next installment!

This issue is a testament to the true abilities of Barbiere and Mooneyham’s story telling abilities. For the majority of the issue there are very few words, but Mooneyham’s art tells the story flawlessly. You can feel every emotion that Fabian feels solely through Mooneyham’s detailed artwork and his ability to capture the emotion in every panel. The book features a two-page spread that, when I looked at it, all I could think of was how much I wanted to frame it and put it on my wall. Even with the small amount of actual words on the page you cannot discredit Barbiere’s ability to tell a story, he does after all tell his artist what to put on the page, and keeps the story flowing flawlessly throughout. Barbiere and Mooneyham are two of the true artisans in the industry right now and with each issue they seemingly get better and better. This comic, in my opinion, is an absolute must-read for any fan of comics. Seriously, do yourselves and these two extraordinary talents a favor and follow their work. It definitely does not disappoint.

Rating: 5/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Shane Hoffman (aka “Hoff”)
You can also find Hoff on Twitter.