REDCOAT #5 – New Comic Review

REDCOAT #5, by Image Comics on 8/21/24, finds Simon, Benedict, and Einstein coming up with a dangerous plan to save Simon’s life and stop George Washington from burning down America.

Credits:

• Writer: Geoff Johns
• Artist: Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie
• Colorist: Brad Anderson
• Letterer: Rob Leigh
• Cover Artist: Bryan Hitch, Brad Anderson (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: August 21, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 36
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of REDCOAT #5:

First Impressions:

Up to this point, Geoff Johns’s artist-focused imprint, Ghost Machine, was two for three on the hit meter, with Rook: Exodus and Geiger taking the winning slots. Our first reactions to the start of Redcoat were less than favorable. However, Johns appears to have turned things around by providing more world-building and crafting an amusing, high-stakes hero’s journey for the reluctant immortal, whether he wants it or not.

Plot Analysis:

When last we left Simon Pure in Redcoat #4, he escaped the clutches of the Grand Architect’s cult with the help of young Einstein and Benedict Arnold. The Grand Architect divulged his desire to complete the three-day ritual, which would kill Simon because doing so would end Simon’s immortal life and burn America with a cleansing fire. Benedict made a bitter pill so much more sour when he divulged the true identity of the Grand Architect – his longtime object of ire, George Washington.

In Redcoat #5, Simon Pure and young Albert Einstein secretly confer with Benedict Arnold in a barn to plan their next action, now that they know George Washington is out to kill Simon and bring about a fiery end to America. Einstein suggests they flee to avoid another cut by the Axe of Lies, but Simon and Benedict explain they can’t leave the borders of America or they die instantly.

Writer Geoff Johns starts the issue with a breather and exposition to set the magic rules that govern Simon Pure’s world, which is interesting enough on its own. We now know that immortals who leave America crumble to dust, and from the previous issue, we know that immortals have the potential to cast magical spells. We weren’t sold on the first couple of issues, but the story and personalities are picking up steam.

The planning session is interrupted by the cult, whose surprise arrival results in Simon getting nicked on the hand by the Axe of Lies. That’s cut number two. The trio flees into the night, chased by the cult. Benedict pleads for Einstein to hand over the book so he can cast a spell to save them. Einstein grudgingly agrees, with successful results.

Geoff Johns uses a simple chase scene to build suspicion and urgency. Now that Simon’s blood has been shed twice, one more cut will end it all. Further, Benedict’s knowledge of the book and casting spells benefited their escape, but it’s clear that he knows more than he’s letting on, which heightens the tension.

Later, the trio returns to Benedict’s mostly-destroyed home to consider a better plan. After perusing the book in more detail, young Einstein makes a promising discovery. If they can find the axe and draw someone else’s blood, the spell will be broken. In the wreckage of Benedict’s secret library, they find an invitation dropped by one of the cult members during the attack in issue #3, showing George Washington will be attending an event on the S.S. Majestic. The plan? Surprise Washington aboard the Majestic, take the axe from the former president, cut Washington to break the spell and flee with the axe to make sure it’s never found again.

Now, we’re getting to the meat and potatoes of the arc, which is a considerable improvement over the first few issues. The first issues spent a lot of time introducing readers to Simon Pure as a mostly unlikable character, which didn’t do much as a selling point. Now, Geoff Johns gives Simon a goal and a path, albeit with selfish motives to move the arc along. Further, Einstein increasingly acts as a source of knowledge and as Simon’s unwelcome voice of reason to keep his selfish ways in check, which infuses the story with heart and occasional amusement.

There’s just one problem. Simon and Benedict need a way to get on the Majestic, so they pay a visit to Benedict’s latest companion, Juliet Morgan, daughter of J.P. Morgan, to leverage her family connections for an invitation. The issue ends with a hard goodbye, a united front, and an unsurprising twist that comes as a complete surprise.

Overall, despite our initial ambivalence regarding the start of the series, Geoff Johns is turning in a gem of a story in Redcoat #5. Simon is still a selfish bum, but circumstances and fate are forcing him to step up, which gives readers a reason to root for him. Plus, the developing connection between Simon and Einstein might turn out to be something special.

Artwork and Presentation:

Ghost Machine was touted as a creator-owned and artist-favored imprint to create comics that look damn good, so it’s no surprise that every comic from Ghost Machine is as gorgeous as anything you’ll find on the LCS shelves. Bryan Hitch, Andrew Currie, and Brad Anderson pull out all the stops to craft a highly detailed and gorgeous-looking comic from the first panel to the last. You won’t find any copy/paste shortcuts or missing backgrounds here, which is a testament to the team’s commitment to creating top-tier visuals.

Art Samples:

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The Bigger Picture:

Series Continuity:

Redcoat is presented in the marketing materials as part of an interconnected universe with Geiger and Junkyard Joe. While none of those characters have shown up in this title, Simon Pure has appeared briefly in Geiger indirectly through a Junkyard Joe’s cameo. How, when, and where the characters unite remains to be seen, but the planted seeds are growing.

Final Thoughts:

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REDCOAT #5 continues to build momentum, interest, and entertainment when Geoff Johns sends his most unlikable character on a hero’s journey, whether he likes it or not. Simon Pure’s adventure gets better with each issue, and the art team’s vivid output is fantastic.

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