KOSHER MAFIA #4, by Mad Cave Studios on 12/4/24, takes a risky gamble when Howard approaches Levinson during Yom Kippur with a proposal while Ephraim infiltrates the Nazi bund to find proof.
Credits:
- Writer: David Hazan
- Artist: Sami Kivelä
- Colorist: Ellie Wright
- Letterer: Chas! Pangburn
- Cover Artist: Sami Kivelä
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: December 4, 2024
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of KOSHER MAFIA #4:
Plot:
On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Howard takes his life into his own hands by approaching Levinson, the head of the Kosher Nostra, during the evening service. He begs Levinson to believe that the Germans and Italians are working together to stage an assault on the Jewish and Black communities. Meanwhile, Ephraim sneaks into the Cleveland-based Nazi bund looking for proof of collusion between the Germans and Italians.
Artwork and Presentation:
Sami Kivelä’s visual style successfully recreates the Interwar Era’s aesthetic in the costumes, vehicles, and hairstyles to give the comic an air of authenticity. Plus, the facial acting shines when two men argue with increasing passion while trying to keep their voices down during a religious service.
Art Samples:
Character Work:
David Hazan creates an interesting dynamic between Howard and Levinson by revealing how far Levinson had to go to maintain a fragile peace with the Germans and the Italians. In effect, Howard and Levinson want the same thing, but their conflict is born from an incomplete and underappreciated understanding of each other’s experiences.
Pacing:
David Hazan’s super solid script intersperses the tight tension of Ephraim’s stealth mission to steal important files with Howard’s increasingly tense debate with Levinson. Each thread hits a peak at just the right time.
Strongest Point(s):
To no one’s surprise, Ephraim succeeds in his mission and delivers the proof at the moment it’s needed the most. Plus, the cliffhanger turns victory into (potentially) heartbreaking tragedy.
Weakest Point(s):
We know Ephraim was able to deliver the goods to convince Levinson to change his tune, but it’s not obvious what the Nazi bund is planning, so the victory doesn’t hit as hard as it should because the stakes aren’t obvious.
Final Thoughts:
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KOSHER MAFIA #4 is another winning entry in the period thriller when Howard and Ephraim put their lives on the line to save their community. David Hazan’s Jewish-centric script gives casual readers a sense of culture by organically wrapping the religious aspects around a solid adventure, and Sami Kivelä’s artwork successfully portrays the style and esthetic of the Interwar Era.
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