FALLEN #5, from Red 5 Comics on 6/14/23, unmasks the mastermind behind the assassinations that left the Norse and Greek gods ready for war with each other.
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: June 14, 2023
Is It Good?
Hurry up! Hurry up! Hurry up! That’s what FALLEN #5 feels like while you’re reading it. At the end of issue #4, readers learned the mastermind behind the assassinations is Osiris and the Egyptian gods. However, Clay and his supporting cast of characters have no idea, and it seems Matt Ringel decided to step on the gas to settle all the grudges, unmask the mastermind, and establish tentative alliances as fast as possible to get everyone in position in time for the finale.
When last we left Clay, he figured out there’s more to the assassinations than simple mob grudges, so he decided it was time to visit the Norse gods. Now, Clay gets all the answers he wanted and more, while Izanagi’s ward shows up for payback at the same time. Chaos and mayhem ensue.
The bright spot of Ringel’s script is the sheer amount of plot developments, action, and surprise reveals. If you looking for a fast-paced story that gives you plenty to chew on for the cover price, this is it. You get gun fights, explosions, magical arrivals, reveals, twists, and turns. No plot device is spared for your entertainment.
That said, the pacing and amount of plot development cross the line between brisk and rushed. Corners aren’t necessarily cut, but you get the sense Ringel did only what was minimally necessary to convey each plot point before moving on to the next. The developments come at you fast and furiously, so this issue reads like a summary of the story, losing some of the dramatic tension in the process.
How’s the art? Excellent, and possibly the best visual issue in this series. Why? Henry Ponciano gets to flex some creative muscle with the shootout fight choreography and the depiction of the Egyptian gods. The Egyptian costumes look great, and Ponciano takes advantage of the nighttime setting to use all the shadows available for dramatic effect.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our FALLEN #4 review to learn how the Japanese mob was dragged into a blossoming gang war.
We begin with Casper visiting the Asgardian bar where Odin and his followers call home. Casper approaches Fen with questions, but before Fen can give any answers, Izanagi’s ward arrives with henchmen to shoot up the bar in retaliation for Izanagi’s death.
The Asgaardians believe they’re immune to bullet fire until they realize Izanagi’s ward has acquired a special metal capable of killing mortals and gods. Meanwhile, Apollo and Loki continue loading their boxes of drugs into a van at the back of the bar when the Hunter arrives to lay waste.
We conclude the issue with another piece of the puzzle and the recognition that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
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Final Thoughts
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FALLEN #5 steps on the gas to unmask the mastermind behind the Norse and Greek god killings with a lightning-quick, action-packed issue. All the characters are lined up to prepare for the climactic finish in the next issue, but you get a clear sense that Ringel had too much story and not enough pages for a rushed setup for issue #6.
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