The world needs titles from third party publishers to keep the comic industry vibrant and relevant, but is this a franchise that uplifts or hinders that cause?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

Joe Fitzgerald has been to heaven many times. . .or at least someplace that looks a lot like heaven if you didn’t know any better. But now he’s going somewhere he’s never been before: into Hell itself, in pursuit of the woman he loves. What he finds there will change his life forever.

I find myself absolutely captivated with the style and swagger of this book.  Sure it’s full of corny or somewhat clunky elements that prevent it from being more than an independently owned religious yarn in the vein of Hellblazer, but there’s something about the entire package that simply draws me in.  From the first page to the final panel the creative team delivers something that, for me, clicks on enough levels to warrant some attention.

The written word by J. Michael Straczynski is the veritable life blood of this yarn.  The author uses an overabundance of text to unveil some elements which sprang forth from last month’s shocking ending while barring in mind an important question: If the spirit of someone you love is trapped in Hell, how far would you be willing to go? Our protagonist charges forward with that thought and for the most part, despite some stumbles, leads the audience to a cliffhanger that’s worth getting excited for.

From cover to cover the art by Ben Templesmith is moody.  I can’t describe it any other way as a simplistic vision creates an accessible experience that extends the very life of the narrative.  I did find some of the panel work to be a bit disconcerting as several renditions left me a bit underwhelmed.  But for the most part the body of work did more than enough right to nail the varying elements contained within the confines of these pages.

Ten Grand #4 continues an upward spiral of quality that turns this series into a more than deserving purchase.  Recommended.

4/5