After an excruciatingly long wait, Romulus #4 has finally arrived, allowing us to see how Ashlar fares in her attempt to rescue Nicholas from the Denver International Airport.
No seriously, that’s where he’s being held prisoner.
First Read Reactions
- If you’re an avid conspiracy theorist, then you gotta be happy with an opening that features America’s weirdest airport along with its most bizarre (and possibly/probably cursed) sculpture.
- Fighting an elite armored warrior is hard enough without an ancient torture toxin coursing through your veins.
- “Fury puts my shoulder back into place.”
- Nicholas, please don’t argue with the badass woman whose “blood is on fire.”
- As evil as Romulus is, you have to give them points for giving their prisoners a free cat to assist in the brain washing process.
- “You’re concerned about my arrogance. Well, I’m disappointed by your fear.”
- Reagan doesn’t bluff. Thankfully, neither does Ashlar.
The Verdict
While the long delay between issues killed some of the momentum, Romulus #4 still manages to kick the series’ narrative into overdrive.
For starters, we’re finally beginning to get a better picture of Romulus’ perception of itself and their capabilities, thanks in no small part to Reagan, who makes Claire Underwood from House of Cards appear meek by comparison. Writer Bryan Hill also uses her to expertly sprinkle a bit of exposition on us in the middle of a badass fight scene between Ashlar and Achilles.
Speaking of that scene, the end did feel a little too easy, but that’s forgivable in light of how well Blake Nelson choreographed/drew it. I particularly love the way Hill and Nelson communicate Ashlar’s mood through occasional panels of wordless, well-defined expressions.
As far as the supporting cast goes, Nicholas continues to be a joy to read. His brilliance is matched in grounded and believable humanity, both with regards to his better nature and the failings that any of us in his position would be susceptible to. As far as the Illuminati folks go…I’m not quite as enamored with them. Maybe I just don’t know enough yet, but either way, they don’t shine nearly as bright as Nicholas and the Romulus folks.
That being said, Romulus #4 was a triumphant and welcome return to a book that has been gone for far too long. Let’s hope the next issue comes out before the stuff going on in the real White House makes the weirdness book seem tame.
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