It’s been a while since an issue of Rook: Exodus has graced comic book stands. Part of that is due to the fact that writer/co-creator Geoff Johns is busy writing nearly every other title in Ghost Machine’s lineup of titles, including the upcoming Trillion Dollar Kid. The other half lies in the fact that illustrator/co-creator Jason Fabok is extremely meticulous in his art, to the point where you have to stop just to drink in the detail on every page. In any case, Rook: Exodus #10 marks a long-awaited return to Johns and Fabok’s science fiction universe.
Rook: Exodus #10 shifts its focus from the titular warden to Stagg, the mysterious samurai warrior who’s joined Rook, Dire Wolf, and Materhorn on their quest to find Dire Wolf’s father, Bloodhound. But while Rook and the others seek to free Bloodhound from the madness that’s gripped him, Stag wants to kill him. Why? The answers slowly unfold in the first few pages, which flash back to the events that shaped Stag – or Jion Seto, as he was formerly known.
From the first page to the last, Rook: Exodus #10 will hook viewers with its gorgeous artwork. Fabok opens the page with a moment when Jion and his wife, Ayama, stand in a cherry blossom field, talking about their future. Everything from the way the two embrace to the way that cherry blossom petals swirl around them is truly romantic. However, things start growing more and more horrifying as Arachnid’s spiders invade, pulling Ayame into their jaws…and then revealing Stag wrapped in Arachnid’s webs, as spiders crawl hungrily toward them. “Chills” doesn’t even begin to describe it.
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The shift between past and present is highlighted by Brad Anderson’s color work. Depending on the scene, Anderson will bring a different hue to the page. Arachnid’s webs are dark green, providing a sharp contrast to the jet black spiders crawling among them. In Stag’s flashback sequences, things take on a lighter hue before tilting into full tragedy. Each Warden also has a different colored helmet; Rook’s is gunmetal grey with glowing orange eyes, while Stag’s is an ominous blood red.
While the visuals might be a core focus of Rook: Exodus #10, Johns brings some great character work to the table. Stag is a man who’s suffering from loss and driven by revenge; his desire to kill Bloodhound is understandable. But there’s also the fact that Bloodhound was driven insane by the Wildlife Grid that connects Exodus’ wardens, and that Dire Wolf is desperate to save her father. It’s Rook of all people who manages to convince Stag to stand down, which is a far cry from the man who wanted nothing more than to depart Exodus in the first story arc. Seeing Rook evolve from being concerned with himself to thinking of others is a great development, and I hope it continues.
Rook: Exodus #10 returns with a character-focused issue that also boasts the incredible visuals that have made this a standout in Ghost Machine’s lineup. While there’s going to be yet another wait for the next issue, it’s worth it for more comics on this level.
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