Posted in: Comics, Review | Tagged: Clayton Cowles, comic book reviews, Comics, die, hannibal tabu, kieron gillen, Review, Stephanie Hans

REVIEW: Die #10 – "A Steady Hand On The Wheel"

Published Thu, 05 Dec 2019 18:00:37 -0600

by Hannibal Tabu

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(Image Comics, creative team: Kieron Gillen, Stephanie Hans, Clayton Cowles)

The basic premise of a group of childhood friends sucked back into the magical and often deadly activities of their childhood is well-bolstered here by a story of struggle between two of their number. Working together for a singular plan, everything hinges on the ability of one of the character types in this RPG-modeled setting. Dictators, as they are called, are a whole stripe of people who are able to use a significantly more powerful version of the suggestion spell as an ability (even more intrinsic than a cantrip) with some interesting restrictions. To watch this ability explored in great detail while diving deep into characterization would derail the plots of most books. Luckily, Kieron Gillen has a steady hand on the wheel, moving plot points as deftly as he dances with emotions in this heartbreaking issue. The moody work of Stephanie Hans and Clayton Cowles switches between time periods and settings with such grace that it's symphonic. This work is literary and personal, epic and intimate, all at once. RATING: BUY.

Hannibal Tabu is an award-winning journalist and comic book writer, a published poet and novelist, a husband and father, aligned lawful evil and is a professional awful person. His professional efforts can be found on The Operative Network.