All’s fair in the quest for soda supremacy. Goro and Kaito are former Siamese twins have become bitter rivals. Each run their own soda company. Their rivalry has become so intense that nothing is off limits. Jon Pyle has been hired by Goro to secure the services of Dina Deluxe. Deluxe may have the key to ensure victory. Can Pyle keep her alive long enough to see?
POP KILL #2 BY Jimmy Palmiotti & Dave Johnson, Juan Santacruz, Brian Reber and Sean Konot continues its wild adventure!
Lets take a closer look at where things play out now.
POP KILL #2 BY Jimmy Palmiotti & Dave Johnson, Juan Santacruz, Brian Reber and Sean Konot (Mad Cave Studios)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
There’s no shortage of action going down in this series. The writing team sets events up over a dinner date between Plye and Deluxe. It doesn’t take long for the spy life to catch up with the pair. There is a fantastic sequence as they try escaping the dangers at the front door. Pyle comes across as a suave but crass agent. His dialogue with Dina will bring a laugh along with the traditional spy themes. Only when the action pauses does the readers get some character depth.
Readers see a small glimpse into Pyle’s past. It gives some dimension to his business character. The moment allows for the pause to finish before heading to close. Deluxe takes action which doesn’t sit well. The fallout pushes for a timely finish. Readers get one more big laugh before concluding with a solid landing. Like any great spy story, the team leaves the audience wanting more.
Santacruz and Reber go for a calm start with Pyle’s dinner date. The moment plays off the hidden angle Pyle is pitching. It doesn’t take long for the bullets to start flying. A nine page escape from Dina’s place kicks off with a bang. Readers watch as Konot’s lettering takes stage with all the gunfire filling the pages. Events climax when Bahram shows up. The fight is a masterful run of knives and punches. It’s a fun ride while it lasts.
In its wake is more peaceful images. A full page shot of Pyle’s safehouse leads into a darker period. The flashback sequence of Goro’s torture of Pyle leaves quite the impression. The chilling method in which Pyle watches his lover die exemplifies his line of work. This pushes events into its closing pages. The art team mix in a great use of sticky notes before the final shot. It is a small panel that conveys this tale is only just beginning.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.2
The world of Jon Pyle doesn’t stop spinning into danger with its’ latest chapter. Palmiotti & Johnson throw readers into deep cola with big action. Santacruz, Reber and Konot orchestrate a chaotic scene while building an exciting pace. This series is a healthy dose to your comic diet.
Let me know your thoughts on Pop Kill #2 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!