REDCOAT #14 – New Comic Review

Redcoat #14, by Image Comics on 9/10/25, sets the White House ablaze and throws immortal mercenary Simon Pure smack into American history’s hazard zone with First Lady Dolley Madison.

Credits:

• Writer: Geoff Johns
• Artist: Bryan Hitch,
• Colorist: Brad Anderson
• Letterer: Rob Leigh
• Cover Artist: Bryan Hitch, Brad Anderson (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: September 10, 2025
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 36
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of REDCOAT #14:

First Impressions:

If historical fires and chaotic heroics are your thing, Redcoat #14 delivers with a brisk narrative that dumps Simon Pure into iconic trouble yet again. The art comes in swinging—sometimes subtle, sometimes smoldering—matching the dry British wit that permeates every panel. There’s a tangled charm to the clashing egos and the smoke-filled caper, making this a page-turner and a headache all at once.

Recap:

In Redcoat #13, Simon Pure, the immortal British mercenary, continued his bizarre tour of American history, helping icons like Annie Oakley and Johnny Appleseed and even playing a mysterious chess game during the Civil War. Trouble finds Simon whether he wants it or not, and his knack for wrong-place, right-time hijinks has not cooled down. Ghosts of the Unnamed move behind the scenes, making Simon’s every step part legend, part farce.

Plot Analysis:

Simon Pure lands in Washington D.C. during the infamous burning of the White House in 1814, immediately denying any intentional arson while dodging accusations and actual fires. British Admiral Cockburn leads the charge against the capital, seeking to crush American morale by torching priceless symbols, including the President’s house, with more personal vengeance than patriotism. Simon finds himself roped into a game of loo and snacks until smoke fills the kitchen, prompting a mad scramble for the exits; his escape is cut short when he stumbles across the determined Dolley Madison rescuing George Washington’s portrait from oblivion.

Dolley’s mission becomes a stubborn tug-of-war as Simon, half-willing and half-dodging, helps maneuver the painting through fire, confusion, and the increasingly dangerous ballroom brawl with Cockburn’s British forces. Their banter sparks as much as the flames, with Simon’s skepticism about Washington’s sainthood clashing with Dolley’s reverence and resolve; the rescue devolves into swordplay, collapsing ceilings, and a rush through burning corridors. Cockburn’s anger boils and Simon’s luck runs thin, but Dolley’s grit outpaces any soldier, driving them to a daring escape into the smoky streets.

As dawn breaks over the ruined city and a thunderstorm quenches the last embers, Simon and Dolley confront loss and legacy among soot and fragile victory. The painting stands as their only trophy salvaged from disaster, a symbol for both the past’s weight and future’s compass, sparking as much debate as admiration.

The issue closes with a flash to the present, still haunted by a nameless figure in a portrait, as modern politicians puzzle over an unsung hero whose anonymous deeds outlast official records. Rumors swirl about Simon’s true allegiance and curse, keeping the legend of “Redcoat” alive for another uncertain chapter

Story

Johns’ script laces brisk dialogue with dry wit, keeping Simon’s narration wry and clever even as disaster threatens to cook him alive. The pacing rarely drags, even in historical context scenes, with sharp transitions between chaos and quiet, letting tension simmer under hasty evacuation and awkward heroics. Some exchanges bite with personality, though the exposition occasionally leans too thickly on legend-building rather than organic plot movement.

Art

Bryan Hitch’s pencils pull double duty, delivering historical drama and smokey action with bold lines and dramatic layouts. Andrew Currie’s inks bring out the period details while Brad Anderson’s colors make the flames pop, casting murky shadows and nervous highlights that fit both mood and mayhem. The facial expressions pack subtle humor, even Dolley’s determined glare, and the fire effects fill panels with tension, though a few pages veer busy and lose clarity under smoke and rubble.

Characters

Simon Pure stands out as a perpetual outsider: equal parts prankster, pragmatist, and accidental hero. Dolley Madison steals the show with stubborn courage and sharp dialogue, proving history is better when it gets personal and a little reckless. Cockburn works as a one-note villain, but the historical backdrop breathes life into the supporting cast, giving even throwaway soldiers a splash of dramatic color.

Positives

Redcoat #14 excels at weaving action-packed history into sharp comic banter, letting Simon’s offbeat heroics and Dolley’s grit anchor the chaos with sincere, punchy exchanges. Hitch’s dynamic layouts and Anderson’s fire-and-shadow coloring sell both peril and wit, ensuring each scene pushes forward with visual and narrative energy. The rescue of Washington’s painting combines daring, humor, and just enough mystery to keep readers guessing well after the smoke clears.

Negatives

Some moments trip over historical exposition, leaving the pacing uneven, especially when legacies start overshadowing immediate peril. Cockburn’s villainy lacks nuance, and a few busy panels turn frantic sequences into visual soup, forcing precious details to hide under layers of fire and rubble. The jump to the modern era feels sudden and underwritten, tossing out teases rather than tying up any narrative threads.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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REDCOAT #14 proves you don’t have to torch the house to light up a comic, but waxing poetic about legends sometimes leaves the living plot gasping for air. Sharp, witty dialogue and tense escapes fight for the spotlight with period detail and heroic posturing, but Dolley Madison’s stubborn streak steals the prize for crowd-pleasing bravado. If comic book history class always looked this good, the textbooks would burn themselves for attention.

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