Revolution 9 is written by Mark London and published by Mad Cave Studios. Artwork is by Carlos Reno, colours by Jão Canola and letters by Dave Sharpe.
Revolution 9 is available from now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
After years as an assassin for the Order of Nine—an ancient order dating back almost 3,000 years—Velveteen has turned her back on the very organisation that saved her. Tasked with the murder of otherwise innocent hacker Jasper Dean, she sets off to save his life and discover the terrible secret that marked him for death. With the entire Order after them, Velveteen and Jasper must escape their grasp and prevent them from toppling society as we know it.
Review
Good, old-fashioned globetrotting spy adventures are things we don’t see as often nowadays in media unless it’s in the form of a new James Bond or Mission Impossible film, something Mark London looks to bring back with this new comic of his, Revolution 9. This new release collects issues 1 to 4 of that was introduced to readers last year and is part of a connected universe which London has created known as Underworld.
Everything about Revolution 9 looks to embrace the style and aesthetic of old spy/action comics such as Commando and G.I. Joe, whilst adding newer, contemporary ideas into the mix. Nowhere is this approach more apparent than in the artwork from Carlos Reno. The illustrations here are clearly outlined and update the look of the aforementioned examples in a manner that fits London’s writing well.
One thing of many that London succeeds in is telling both a compelling assassin story of death and betrayal but blending different genres seamlessly as well as laying the groundwork for that deeper level of word-building and storytelling that will be further explored in future instalments. Sci-fi elements are weaved into the drama and action along the way to give readers more than enough in terms of entertainment but there is more under the surface to dive into that will keep readers coming back.
Velveteen also acts as a riveting protagonist for our introduction to this Underworld series. She is strong and capable when the situation calls for it, yet she also has emotional depth that makes her relatable during the story’s more intense moments.
Every page of Revolution 9 oozes with a constant drive that brings the best out of Mark London’s storytelling and Carlos Reno’s art. From visceral set pieces to the bombastic pacing that doesn’t let up until the closing pages, this story on its own is a great piece of spy action fun that leaves enough intrigue on the table for the rest of the Underworld universe to explore however it sees fit.
Verdict
A gripping spy thriller filled with action and intrigue aplenty. Jam-packed with deception and suspense around every corner, Mark London never forgets to let his characters and world-building shine at all costs in a story that is just as dramatic as it is captivating.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
