Publisher: Titan Comics
Writer: Monty Nero
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Release Date: 10th June, 2015

---

Can i just start by saying I’ve missed this book. It was one of the first books I picked up as a reviewer, and Monty was one of the first interviews I ever did. So it’s a safe assumption that I was nervous picking up the latest series. However I can hand on heart say that the first issue of “London” not only lives up to the hype, but surpasses it. Starting almost right where we left Weasel off, then jumping away almost as quick, on the forth page we’re greeted by an absolutely stunning page by Simmonds that goes to show that the team are not messing around when it comes to how stunning this book is going to be!

Nero manages to do something special as well, within the first few pages we have cultural references apleanty, with mentions of Castle and using slang like “fapping” (still one of my favourite words). It gives the book a more familiar feel, by using a language that wouldn’t seem out of place with it’s core readership, but doesn’t seem like a corny ploy to “get down with the kids”. Then there’s the Holy Shit moment of the book that really did take me by surprise. If you know how we roll here at BCP Towers you know we’re not going to spoil it for you here, but honestly, it both reads and looks spectacular.

While the first Death Sentence series was primarily based around what would happen if you got superpowers even if they came with a price, London seems based much more around the fallout of that and how governments are likely to overreact when it comes to policing such issues. However, there is also some nice parodies of what’s happening around the world just now with regards to when people aren’t heard and take matters into their own hands, with rioting and violence in the streets. I do like the idea though, of gangs holding up a fast food joint amidst rioting, just to get their food on. Bravo Monty, Bravo.

Quickly jumping back to Martin Simmonds artwork, it really is stellar here, with clean sharp lines and a colour palate that manages to jump of the page and give a kinetic energy to the book that fits with the stylings of the plot. It’s a strange thing to say, but he manages to make firing a gun look amazing, and the Holy Shit moment I mentioned earlier? Yeah. he makes it look absolutely incredible. Ben Templesmith has someone hot on his heels for sure!

Overall a very solid first issue that grabs you by the balls and doesn’t let go. Go get this book in your life!

Rating: 5/5.

---

The writer of this piece was: Chris Bennett
Article: And Now For Something Completely Different
You can also find Chris on Twitter.

---