Specs #3 is published by BOOM! Studios and created by David M. Booher and Chris Shehan. Booher writes issue #3 alongside artwork by Shehan. Colours are by Roman Stevens and letters by Jim Campbell. Main cover art (left) is by Skylar Patridge.
Specs #3 is available now in print and on digital where all good comics are sold.
Synopsis
Ted is behind bars at the police station after his wrongful arrest, but he’s unfortunately far from alone, as an angry mob blames him for Skunk’s “murder.” Kenny is desperate to help, relentlessly searching for the company that created the Magic Specs. Will a Hail Mary wish be enough to get Ted off the hook and set things right, or will it just drag them deeper into trouble?
Review
We’ve reached the point of no return in BOOM! Studios’ Specs. Ted has been arrested for the disappearance of Skunk, the consequence of Kenny’s latest wish. Kenny, still secretly harbouring feelings for his best friend, is desperate to help and undo his latest wish.
After two issues of teasing some of the issues bubbling under the surface, Specs is now tackling them head on. The arrest of Ted brings to the fore the racial issues which exist in this suburban Midwest town and deals with them in the best way possible. We see Ted confronting the Sheriff head on during his interrogation, exposing the manipulation behind his arrest. There’s also the metaphorical pitch-fork wielding mob which has gathered outside the police station. A shocking but not unexpected consequence of the very public arrest.
It’s all too much for Kenny and results in a brilliantly paced sequence of events which is light on dialogue but heavy on emotion. Booher, already capable of handling everything Specs has to throw at us, gives us a Kenny who is running on pure adrenaline this month. Desperate to save his best friend and remorseful of wishes gone wrong. The foundations of the friendship between Kenny and Ted in the first two issues are utilised brilliantly to underpin Kenny’s actions this month.
This month’s issue also ramps up the Specs creep-factor. So far the book has toed the line, sitting in that cool 80’s sci-fi/horror sweet spot. But this month, courts of those titular specs, Kenny gets to explore a little more about their reason for existence. I’ve really enjoyed the focus on character so far. The aesthetic is better served by keeping some of the magic a secret and Booher is clearly aware of that. Gently pulling back the curtain and giving us just enough information to keep the story exciting.
It’s also fair to say this is the most dramatic issue in the series so far. Building towards an excellent prison break. A particular panel on page 20 will have Kenny and Ted (Ked? Tenny?) fans cheering ahead of a cliffhanger ending which perfectly sets up the eventual conclusion.
Chris Shehan and Roman Stevens have brought us another beautiful issue. The nighttime setting of this issue gives Stevens the opportunity to play with the colours and it, of course, looks great. There’s plenty of shadowy moments which feel apt given the dark turn the story has taken. Whilst the new otherworldly setting visited by Kenny gives Shehan the chance to explore his darker side. Skeletal creatures and apparitions look stunning and really lean in to the horror roots that Specs was born from.
Verdict
In its third issue Specs grabs tightly at various plot threads before running with them at breakneck speed. Some give these guys an Eisner!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
