KOSHER MAFIA #5, by Mad Cave Studios on 1/15/25, brings the gangster story to a close when Ephraim and Howard learn that their troubles aren’t over just yet.
Credits:
- Writer: David Hazan
- Artist: Sami Kivelä
- Colorist: Ellie Wright
- Letterer: Chas! Pangburn
- Cover Artist: Sami Kivelä
- Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
- Release Date: January 15, 2025
- Comic Rating: Mature (bloody violence, language)
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 32
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of KOSHER MAFIA #5:
Recap:
When last we left Ephraim and Howard in Kosher Mafia #4, the unlikely duo used the cover of Jewish tradition to broker a deal that would save their lives and open the Kosher Nostra’s eyes to the threat of the Germans and Italians working together. The issue ended with a happily ever after… until silent killers arrived to tie up loose ends.
Plot Analysis:
Kosher Mafia #5 picks up from the cliffhanger from the previous issue. Ephraim fights for his life against a killer with a garrote, and Howard sleeps while an intruder stands over him with a gun. Ephraim uses his expert fighting skills to outwit his attacker, killing him in the fight. Ephraim quickly dresses and speeds off in his car to leave town, but he stops at the last minute when he thinks that Howard may be in danger.
Meanwhile, Howard wakes up to see the killer’s gun pointed squarely at his nose. Howard screams for Sarah to get out and he lunges at his attacker. The two wrestle over the gun, but the weapon is knocked aside in the tussle. The killer knocks out Howard, but he’s confronted by Sarah who now holds the gun. While the killer is distracted, Howard regains his senses, takes his gun from the nightstand and kills the intruder. With his last breath, the killer confirms he’s a German.
Ephraim reaches Howard immediately after the shootout, but Howard trains his gun on Ephraim because he suspects the assassination attempt is Ephraim’s fault. After an honest talk, the two agree that the Kosher Nostra, Italians, and Germans will never leave them alone, unless they come up with an insurance policy.
The issue ends with Ephraim and Howard approaching the heads of the gangs with an offer they can’t refuse.
First Impressions:
Kosher Mafia #5 brings the gritty gangster story with a Jewish twist to a close when writer David Kazan imagines a scenario that makes sense, fits the scenario, and keeps the door slightly open for more stories. That said, the climax of this five-part miniseries doesn’t hit as hard as you might expect for a finale.
Artwork and Presentation:
Sami Kivelä uses interesting camera angles and strong choreography to present the deadly fights in the first act to great effect. The second and third acts rely heavily on facial acting and tense atmosphere to to carry the story, which Kivelä pulls off well.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
Writer David Hazan brings the miniseries to a close with a grounded, realistic, but still dramatic finish. Howard and Ephraim’s actions and choices read as authentic, and the very end plays nicely into the historical events of the period.
The Negatives:
Depending on your tastes and point of view, the finale feels a little soft. A nail-biting miniseries that put a mild-mannered man in the crosshairs of multiple gangs is effectively settled with leverage and a handshake. Given the violent nature of Howard’s adventure, the ending may be realistic, but it reads as mildly anti-climactic.
The Bigger Picture:
Historical Context:
The end of this issue namedrops historical figure Meyer Lansky, who may play a part in the future if this miniseries warrants a follow-up. For readers unfamiliar, Lansky was a member of the Kosher Nostra in New York, and he earned a reputation for pushing back against the Nazi presence on the East Coast.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
KOSHER MAFIA #5 brings the alternate history, gangster drama to a close when Howard and Ephraim fight for their lives to safeguard their future. Writer David Hazan’s gangster tale with a Jewish twist ends on a grounded, gritty, believable note, and Sami Kivelä’s art shines. That said, readers used to taut gangster action may feel the ending is a tad soft.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.