As we move deeper into the story of Defiance, the creators have once again engaged my interest and my senses with their blend of mystical themes and down-to-earth action. The computer-aided, painted artwork is unusual and beautiful, and this issue reads like the exposition of an action movie, a few running scenes with expository dialogue added in to bring the protagonist up to speed, and I'm enjoying the feeling of a story just opening up, with plenty of story lurking beneath the surface.
I was once again blown away by how terrific the artwork on Defiance looks. The city, with its strange and neon-like lighting, is a stunning vista, and Kang and Suh combine the technological sprawl feel of Akira or Neuromancer with the haunting imagery of H.R. Geiger to create a unique and impressive setting for their stories. I also enjoy the somewhat inhuman appearance of the characters, who have perfectly expressive faces but details like red eyes that make them look alien. And the actual alien appearances on the demons or the armor-clad soldiers are even more impressive.
The action sequences in this issue are fantastic, capturing the violence and the movement that makes a good gunfight work. The deadly nature of Cleo and Lym comes through in how easily they deal with heavily armed and professional soldiers, and the danger that Ivan is in is very clear as the demons begin to surround him and his escort.
In addition to the impressive artwork, the story this issue begins to move forward a little more, as we see Ivan beginning to acclimate to his new world and remember bits of his old life. In addition, though I felt that Barre was veering almost into the comedic over-the-top territory of evil with Asmodeus, I can't deny that the way he maliciously erases the best memories of his host was chilling. I also enjoy the sense of humor at work in the book, whether it's Lym feeling put out by the people shooting at him or the amusing "what has gone before" that serves as information for new readers and entertainment for ongoing ones.
Defiance draws the reader in with beautiful and unusual artwork, but there's plenty of story to support the interest once a reader has been snared. There's a blend of action, humor, horror and science-fiction at work that makes the book truly stand out.
