Excellence #3
Image Comics/Skybound
Written by Brandon Thomas
Art by Khary Randolph
Colors by Emilio Lopez
Letters by Deron Bennett
The Rundown: Spencer’s actions will force him into a confrontation with Aaron as their punishments become unbearable.
Spencer Dales is dealing with the fact that he is responsible for not only the punishment he’s enduring, but also the repercussions affecting his father and Aaron. Busting small time crooks selling temporary magic wands is not what he wants, but he does what he has to stay in the good graces of the Aegis. Unfortunately, he still has a rebel streak in him that will make him break the rules for more time with his grandmother.
When he’s given his next assignment, the subject hits close to home. Aaron has fallen in love with a woman he was supposed to guide to another man and this breach of the rules will pit the two men against each other.
The Story: Things are getting darker for everyone involved and the fact that Spencer has seen the man behind the curtain and lost changes the tone of this story. Brandon Thomas takes the reader on Spencer’s dark journey, weaving a compelling narrative with richly detailed and complex characters. The conflicts between Spencer, his father, Aaron and the Aegis itself continue to draw me in as a reader and the story gets more exciting with each issue.
The Art: Khary Randolph crafts some beautiful panels full of action and movement. The characters display power that leaps off the page with brilliant design.