Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel
Artist: Rod Reis
Release Date: 25th June 2014

The second issue of C.O.W.L (Chicago Organized Workers League) kicks off with a significantly less frantic pace than its predecessor. This more relaxed pace continued throughout issue #2 which turned out to be more of a slow burner when compared to Issue #1’s breakneck speed action scenes and deep-end character introduction.

One of the major faults raised with writers Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel debut issue was the lack of parameters for their fictional company – Who are C.O.W.L? What is their purpose? How did they come about? Who can join? The reduction in action for issue #2 allowed some of these issues to be addressed, illustrating in detail the history of C.O.W.L leader Geoffrey “The Grey Raven” Warner and the circumstances that led to the creation of what would eventually become C.O.W.L.

To introduce a new “team book” with the audience having no familiarity with any of the characters individually is an incredibly daunting task. Imagine a Justice League film with a team made up of five  J’onn J’onzz and you have an idea of the task at hand. However, not only have these characters been introduced and developed into sympathetic figures; in this short space of two issues the creative team have also produced a world where being a superhero is as tiring and repetitive a job as any other.

I simply can’t conclude a C.O.W.L review without making reference to Rod Reis’s work on the artwork. It is simply superb. Each panel could be taken singularly and hung up in any gallery as a miniature painting. However, despite his glossy and beautiful style, Rod Reis could never be accused of being resistant to getting his hands dirty. When required, the blood can flow as well as any other title.

C.O.W.L has made a big impression on me in the title’s first two issues. Everything about this book radiates class. C.O.W.L is the “Mad Men” of comic books. I advise anyone gives this title a shot at this stage…otherwise you’ll be playing catch-up later when it becomes the next comic book phenomenon.

Rating: 4/5.

The writer of this piece was: Blair Stevenson
You can also find Blair on Twitter.