I hate to say it, but I seem to keep forgetting the characters names. Not a good sign for any comic book.
Next Exit issue 4 picks up as Retrab and Markesh are still on the hunt for a particular Syndoll head. This leads them to the home of a professors daughter named Mary-Alice. After making physical contact with Markesh Mary-Alice sends her Syndoll Holmes to handle Retrab and Markesh. Mary-Alice explains how she’s come to acquire the knowledge her father held because of his enormous library and also reveals his death at the hands of a man who has the same presence as Markesh. When all hope seems lost… well, you check it out and find out what happens.
I buy Next Exit for two reasons 1)the humor and 2)the art. Not much humor in this issue but the art is always tip-top. Kristy manga-influenced artwork is dazzling with the character designs and movements. The manga visuals have always had an edge over more American styles of art in capturing expressions and emotions in characters. The panel layouts more times then none are on a grand scale forcing the reader to be drawn into the look of the comic. Never a dull moment.
My biggest problem with this title is the fact that it’s hard to remember what’s going on when a new issue does hit the stands. There’s a three month wait for this title and by the time I get it I got to pull out old issues and get caught up. normally I’d drop a comic for reasons like this but being as I’m buying mostly mainstream books and this title is on a quarterly schedule so I stick by it. Plus it’s fun. You can never go wrong with fun titles can you?
With Street Angel on hiatus, Serenity Rose turning into an annual OGN, I’m left with Next Exit making it my favorite independent title. Next to Smoke that is. Guess I should try some more alternative stuff but these comics are effecting my paycheck drastically.
