Welcome
the series spotlighting some of the best single issues in comics from
the past decade. You will not find Watchmen, Sin City, Dark Phoenix
Saga or Action Comics #775 anywhere on this list. These are comics
that, with a little effort, you'll find on the Internet or lost in
the back issues of your comic book store. Because this article is not
a review, and since these issues are not necessarily new, any
surprise, cliffhanger or death will
be spoiled
in an attempt to show why the book shouldn't have been missed.
Crossed
is a creator-owned series from writer Garth Ennis and artist Jacen
Burrows. It all started with Crossed
#0 on August 27, 2008 and all 10 issues have been released. The second series Crossed:
Family Values is written by David Lapham and drawn by Javier
Barreno.
On
a pristine horse breeding ranch, the Pratt family lead a secure and
somewhat secluded life style. The ranch and the family is lead by
Joesph Pratt. A strong and God fearing man who is adored and feared
by his family. Adeline Pratt is the third oldest of the ten Pratt
children. She's smart, cunning and the lead protagonist. Coming to
the aid of her abused younger sister, Addy calls her father out on
the subject. As soon as she receives her answer, the Crossed invade
the ranch and wreak havoc. Many
deaths and months later, Addy has found her place as a leader in her
small group that she keeps moving to avoid the Crossed. With the
burden of two new born, a fatigued and partly crippled group, she
unknowingly waits for her Crossed infected mother to arrive with a
small posse of her own. The journey of Addy's group has settled for a
moment, got a bit conferrable and increased by two. Now nothing is
left to do but enjoy the calm before the storm. This
is book is nothing short of brilliant due to the fact that it rewards
the reader (as with the characters) with a little down time. There's
time to take a breath and soak up everything. To appreciate what
everyone has gone through and what's going to happen next. The
addition of a two new born babies from mothers Hannah and Kate, an
impromptu union and the mental and physical break down of a strong
supporting group member in Liza. Even as a 7 issue mini, Family Vales
is the essence of an outstanding narrative pace. In other words, it's
the perfect beginning to the end. The
real treat is Addy. The reader finally gets to take her all in due to
the fact that she is written in such a way that is allowed to grow in
to this strong leader. From being able to stand up to an abusive
father that the whole family worshiped, to becoming the corner stone
of her traveling family. She shows so many sides by making mistakes,
showing she's vulnerable, scared and still young. Most importantly of
all she shows her feelings when dealing with the group. She's more
that just the “hero”, she's flawed, she's human.
All
of these in characteristics that Addy showcases are increased due to
the fact that she's dealing with the Crossed. The Crossed are not
zombies, they're humans that are tore down to pure animalistic
insanity. There is literally a sense of intensity when the Crossed
show up because no one is safe.
The
balance that Merrily (Addy's mother) creates complements Addy's
struggle perfectly. The daughter, who is now in the nurturing mother
role with her group of survivors. Where as Merrily fearfully stood by
and let her children be abused. Include the family members that Addy
is trying to save versus the ones that she is loosing to the Crossed
who seem to be following Merrily's slightest whim. There's a little
role reversal that underlines the entire book. One
of the reason Family Values # 6 Blood Ties is something special is
simple. It encompasses the hallmark of pacing in a narrative. A
perfect entry for the book's climatic finally to simply stroll in and
entertain you.
Many
deaths and months later, Addy has found her place as a leader in her
small group that she keeps moving to avoid the Crossed. With the
burden of two new born, a fatigued and partly crippled group, she
unknowingly waits for her Crossed infected mother to arrive with a
small posse of her own. The journey of Addy's group has settled for a
moment, got a bit conferrable and increased by two. Now nothing is
left to do but enjoy the calm before the storm.