ADVANCE REVIEW! The Mercenary Sea #5

With everything that arrives on a weekly basis at your local comic shop, is this series really something that deserves a spot on your pull-list? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

MARCH OF THE GRENADIERS

The crew of the Venture teams with a band of Chinese guerillas to rescue “comfort women” held captive by Japanese soldiers.

It’s not everyday that fanboys and fangirls buy a title that takes them on a journey with a submarine and her motley crew as its main focus. And wouldn’t you know it? There are even some damsels in distress to complete this period piece package. So by all means find a nice quiet spot, sit back, relax and enjoy.

Kel Symons pens the script and the author absolutely nails the right tone to deliver a true adventure romp. Granted we’re still land based and we don’t see much of the Venture but the sea bound bunch and their new allies make for an interesting affair. From song, humor and honest to goodness interactions there’s a lot to admire. My one gripe is that near the end the transition to the cliffhanger seemed far too abrupt but even so it’s a minor quibble considering the content offered.

The illustrations handed in by Mathew Reynolds are easily the star of this entire piece. As engaging as the literature can be it’s the style and candor of the visuals that set this tale in a whole different category than your standard yarn. It elevates the work with renditions that feel kinetic in a way that’s bound to excite its audience if they’re either comic traditionalists or not. There’s a specific action sequences that litters quite a few panels with detail and the whole thing came off as fresh and thought out.

The Mercenary Sea #5 is an easy release to review because it’s downright pleasing. While carried by the current achievement of four previous issues this outing proves once more to be a sturdy vessel. It crackles with spunk and when you add in the strength of this creative team this one comes recommended.