FALLEN #4, from Red 5 Comics on 5/31/23, unveils the assassin’s true identity as the hidden gangs of the gods draw inevitably close to all-out war.
The Details
- Written by: Matt Ringel
- Art by: Henry Ponciano
- Colors by: Henry Ponciano
- Letters by: Toben Racicot
- Cover art by: Henry Ponciano
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.95
- Release date: May 31, 2023
Is It Good?
FALLEN #4 has a lot to like for a series about gods turned into mob bosses after losing their place in the Ether. You get a little magic (for a good reason), you get the talking dead, you get violent confrontations, and you get a last-page reveal that escalates the stakes in a big way.
When last we left Casper Clay and his investigation into the killings, Casper’s secret probing was found out by Athena. Meanwhile, Odin, Thor, and the rest of their biker gang were ambushed on the road. Now, Casper solicits help from Hades after a curious discovery, and Odin’s gang pays Athena a visit for payback.
Matt Ringel’s script takes a big step forward on the momentum and stakes scale. The “clues” dropped in previous issues implied Zeus’s killer was some contract killer working on behalf of a third party interested in inciting a gang war. Now, we see there’s a lot more to what’s going on, which delivers a pleasant surprise, and the promise of a much bigger conflict to come. Surprises are a good thing when executed well, and Ringel succeeds mightily on that front.
Further, all the basics of a well-crafted script are present to keep readers engaged. The dialog rings true for a mix of distinct personalities, the pacing is high and steady, and the scene transitions are silky smooth.
Henry Ponciano elevates the solid script with an opportunity to flex creative muscles for the most magical events than any other issue in the series so far. Ponciano takes full advantage of the underground tunnels, abandoned buildings, and nighttime scenes to cast the characters in as much dramatic shadow as possible without losing detail or strong facial acting.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our FALLEN #3 review to find out how Athena reacted to Casper’s return (hint: not well).
We begin with Marcus visiting Casper in his office. Marcus is nearly convinced Casper knows more than he’s divulging, and he insists Casper follow him to a new crime scene. In the subway tunnels, Marcus shows Casper a new body with what appear to be Grek symbols carved on its forehead. Casper recognizes the symbol as an offering to Hades, so Casper excuses himself to make a call.
Later, Hades reluctantly shows up to examine the body. Hades can feel some of his magic returning as the sacrifice was an offering to him, and he can hear the prayers of the killer nearby. Hades guides Marcus and Casper to an abandoned building where they find the killer before he makes his next sacrifice.
We conclude the issue with clues fitting together, Odin and Athena drawing the same conclusion, and the assassin named.
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Final Thoughts
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FALLEN #4 heightens the stakes and the momentum as the different gangs of gods hurtle toward war. The mystery and plot structure are well-crafted, and the killer’s identity goes a long way toward expanding the scope of the conflict. Couple the solid script with equally great art from Ponciano, and this issue is a winner.
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