Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Guiu Vilanova
Release Date: March 5, 2014

When Trevor Richmond left behind his old life, the last thing he expected was that someone else might move in to take his place. But that’s exactly what has happened. Who is the man everyone now knows as Trevor? Where did he come from, and maybe more to the point…what does he want? The secrets are revealed right here…

Okay… so this issue has a lot of heart thanks to the origin story (of sorts) of Mr. Ross or the man with Trevor’s face. His story, which I won’t spoil, is something the majority of us can connect to. The confrontation between the real Trevor and Mr. Ross paint Trevor in a more detestable light; although, we know wants all the benefits of life without having to do the work, Mr. Ross’ story is a sympathetic one and is the icing on the cake.

Speaking of metaphors Guiu Vilanova does a fantastic job with one of the opening panels where Trevor throws a bottle against a brick wall. Obviously hitting rock bottom but in an artistic way we look through the proverbial glass at Trevor’s situation by literally looking at him through the bottom of a broken and jaded bottle.

What makes Mr. Ross’ story so great is Vilanova’s artwork, J. Michael Straczynski’s story, and Vinicius Andrade’s coloring, which all work in perfect harmony. The angles Vilanova uses in the flashbacks feel very cinematic and have a fluid and natural progression while Andraade’s blue hue adds to the monotony of Mr. Ross’ life. Straczynski’s description of everyday life make’s Mr. Ross’ desperation comes off the page and puts the reader on his side of things.

Roy Chambers – the P.I. Mr. Black hires – also makes an appearance but literally vanishes into thin air. If it weren’t for Diana and Roy’s stories still being out there somewhere and if this were issue two I would have given it a four out of five but I have to hold back. “I Know Who I Am” is a great addition to this story and if the rest of the series is like this issue I know I’ll excited to see where this goes.

Rating: 3/5.

The writer of this piece is:

Laurence Almalvez
Laurence has previously written over at Whatculture.com.
Laurence tweets from @IL1511