There are several things which can endear me to a series. Neat high concept, great characterization, good atmosphere, complex and intriguing plot... Rex Mundi has all of that, and this issue in particular hits on all of them very well. There's a lot of menace to be found this issue, mostly in the form of imposing and enigmatic villains by Eric J and Jeromy Cox, but also in an effective confrontation between protagonist Sauniere and gang boss Dumont. There are also more questions raised about the mysteries of the series, which include references to the Knights Templar as well as a mysterious scroll and the central mystery of the murders that started Sauniere down the path of investigation. It's clear that the lead characters are getting deeper and deeper into danger as they get closer to the answers, and the promise of danger and answers will keep me anxiously coming back.
The opening scene in this issue sets the tone pretty effectively. Sauniere's showdown with Dumont reads very much like a modern mobster/cop interaction, and I love the implied threats and the lack of fear that Sauniere shows in response. Dumont is a new character as far as the readers are concerned, so this is a great introduction for him, but it seems clear that he's been deeply involved in the plot already, which lends a bit of weight to him despite this being a first appearance. The same is true of Genevieve's brief encounter with the Duke, whose genial smile comes across as threatening thanks to prior knowledge of who he is and the surroundings where Genevieve encounters him.
While there are revelations and character development in this issue, though, this is really all about the atmosphere. Nelson steps back and lets Eric J and Cox do a lot of the storytelling this issue, and the artists prove themselves more than up to the task. The quiet tension of Genevieve exploring where she probably shouldn't or the speed and tension of the chase through the sewers is entirely down to the artists. Eric J absolutely nails the pacing on this issue, especially the finale, which finds Sauniere chasing the mysterious and sinister man in white through the sewers. Isolated panels read like jump cuts of a video, and we get a sense of motion from one character and stillness from the other, no mean feat.
Because of this focus on mostly silent storytelling, it's easy to assume that not much happens this issue, but that is definitely not the case. Though the man in white doesn't get much more development, we learn a little more about who he is and who he might be answering to, and more importantly, he leads Sauniere to a big clue. Meanwhile, Genevieve's actions seem to indicate she may wind up being an ally of Sauniere after all. And the first glance of a couple of the big villains of the piece is nothing to sneeze at either.
In fact, if I have a complaint about Rex Mundi's pacing at all, it's that every time we reach the end, it seems like the wait for the next chapter is eternal. Fortunately, the book is going monthly with the next issue, and given how much has been accomplished in relatively few issues, I can't wait to see the story build when it's coming out with a greater frequency.
