This is a slow burn of a storyline, as details are leaked out in tiny droplets. The United States is at war, with the Bonavese crime family. And Rose Jagger, the family’s #1 assassin is on deck. After a devastating attack on the family, Padron picks up and leaves, headed for Tokyo. Is he fleeing in cowardice? Perish the thought. He has a grander, more ambitious scheme up his sleeve.

This issue seems disconnected from the previous. Maybe I should go back and re-read the first two issues, to develop a greater sense of the overall narrative. But on second thought, perhaps I’ll wait until the first story arc is closer to conclusion.

Sorry, Michael, I’m just not digging your artwork. I’m sure it’s suited for a project somewhere, but I’m not sure this is it any more than Cave Carson was. Taki Soma’s coloring is vibrant, but in my opinion it just makes the artwork even more garish than it already is.

But I like the story so far. It’s a slow burn of a storyline, as details are leaked out in tiny droplets. Sometimes that works, but with the price of comic books these days, I’d prefer to see things move faster. I like to feel I’m getting my money’s worth, without a lot of silent panels of the protagonist doing things quietly. This is not cinema, where the creator controls the speed of the narrative.

Rating: 5/10