In case there was any doubt (not that there should have been), Andy Diggle and Jock quickly dispel any notion that the outstanding quality of their first issue was a fluke with this just-as-strong followup. They get their first major story arc under way, and it's just as much fun -- and just as accessible -- as the opening, self-contained piece. Diggle balances the fun and personality of a caper story with the edgy and grave tone of espionage and conspiracy-theory storytelling in a thoroughly satisfying read.
In an attempt to get themselves off of the Central Intelligence Agency's death list, the rogue spies known as the Losers turn their attention to corporate America, and specifically, an oil conglomerate that helps the CIA move around drug money discreeetly. They need to infiltrate Goliath Oil, but to do that, they need information on security and blueprints. Meanwhile, the men speculate as to the nature of the relationship between their leader, Col. Clay, and Aisha, the mysterious and grim double-agent who's helping them out.
Jock's style strikes me as a cross between the detailed noir approach of Eduardo (100 Bullets) Risso and the sketchy and gritty work for which Charlie (White Death, Codeflesh) Adlard is known. He brings an intensity and edge to the characters, but there are subtly lighter elements as well. For example, Jenson and Pooch boast a slightly goofy tone that matches what we learn about them through the script. Loughridge brings an unsettling, eerie quality to the story with the colors. The green hue for the skies in the opening scene grants the art a surreal quality that establishes tension in the story immediately.
What really makes this issue a fun read is Jensen. The focus is on him from the opening page, and the cliffhanger ending has him front and center as well. He -- and to a lesser extent, Pooch -- is the reader's gateway into the extreme world of espionage and high-tech theft. He's an average guy, not dark and tainted by the ugly world he's living in. On the other hand, Diggle is careful not to make him laughable. Though he's the butt of a couple of jokes, the core action in this issue revolves around him, his quick thinking and his physical skills.
The caper is an enduring genre in movies. Just look at The Italian Job, Ocean's Eleven and The Score. Diggle and Jock have brought the genre to life in this new series, and they've thrown in a different spin with their conspiracy-theory vibe. This is Mission: Impossible through the eyes of Quentin Tarantino.
