The “Black, White & Blood” Marvel series has been a winner at Marvel. Taking characters into the landscape of horror has been quite the journey. It’s allowed for more mature storytelling and a whole lot of violence.
“Black, White, & Blood and Guts” has taken things up a few notches. For this pen-ultimate issue, except some bodies to hit the floor.
MARVEL: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD AND GUTS #3 by Taboo, B. Earl, Luke Ross, Alex Guimarães, Joe Sabino, Gary Moloney, Baldemar Rivas, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Christian Rosado, & Cory Petit features Blade, Hit-Monkey and The Punisher.
Let’s take a closer look at what is happening here.
MARVEL: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD AND GUTS #3 by Taboo, B. Earl, Luke Ross, Alex Guimarães, Joe Sabino, Gary Moloney, Baldemar Rivas, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Christian Rosado, & Cory Petit (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The issue is a compilation of three stories. Due to the amount, the overview of each tale will be shorter than usual reviews.
“The Queen Of Death Valley” by Taboo, Earl, Ross, Guimarães, & Sabino features Blade. The writing puts the Daywalker underneath the Arizona desert with an indecent proposal. Readers watch as the QUEEN OF MONSTERS tries manipulating Blade in her favor. It does a solid job of slow building the danger to the final confrontation.
The result does bode well for the Queen. Ross locks in on the hellish landscape with the art. There’s no shortage of impressive visuals here. The full page shot of the Queens jail/palace is incredible. There’s a few surprises thrown in to close down events.
“The Hitman’s Boogeyman” by Moloney, Rivas & Sabino is the show stealer of the issue. The Gorgon is trying to resurrect a hitman. It is no ordinary nobody. This is the HIT-MONKEY'S HITMAN?! Everything about this is a win.
Moloney’s set-up works magic. The dialogue is fitting for the heavyweight bout at hand. Gorgon’s demeanor walks a fine line. Rivas’s art brings excitement when the fight actually commences. Readers will enjoy the conclusion of the battle as the final panel is absolutely perfect.
“Run” by Kennedy-Johnson, Rosado, & Petit concludes the issue with Frank Castle. Punishment doesn’t escape five frat guys and their disgusting actions 25 years ago. The writing slow burns Castle’s attack. Readers watch as Castle methodically goes to work. Kennedy-Johnson lets the guilty dictate most of the dialogue. This frees Frank up to do what he does best.
If you’ve read “Bloodletter”, you know Rosado can deliver on brutal scenes. The initial attack is bold and unforgiving. It instantly switches into high gear as the guilty try running. As more are put down, the scenes ramp up the violence being served. One person lying in front of a moving truck is prime example. Once readers actually see Frank, the image is very imposing. There’s no doubt when this leads to the deadly close. The final image completes the mission at hand with a clear message. Punishment is served.
FINAL GRADE: 8.6
The pen-ultimate chapter of Marvel’s latest horror series doesn’t disappoint. Each story has its’ own unique feel and terrors. The creative teams made sure fans got their money’s worth with this issue.
Let me know your thoughts on MARVEL: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD AND GUTS #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!