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• Price: $3.99
• Pages: 31
• On Sale: February 21, 2018
• Writer: Paul Jenkins
  
• Artist: Leïla Leïz
  
• Color: Leonardo Paciarotti
• Letterer: Ryane Hill
• Publisher: Aftershock Comics

From the Publisher – Faced with the choice of losing her own child or losing her own life, the newest Alter on the team may find her career has ended before it ever begun. The is the climactic end to the story of No Damn Name, where the emergence of the most powerful and dangerous Alter yet may change the balance of power, or even lead to the entire destruction of Earth.

Our We Talk Comics WeView – Sometimes the most unexpected surprises can be the most pleasant.

It’s a bit of a daunting task to review a book you’re not familiar with that opens by telling you it is the last issue of a multi part story arc, as is the case with Alters #10. Nor does it provide any kind of text to inform you of prior events. Understandably it isn’t a comic written for new readers but one intended to reward those who’ve been here all along.

That did make it a little difficult for me in the first few pages. The book starts like a freight train already in full motion, and I was running to catch up. It didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book from the beginning though, as that would be extremely difficult given the stunning visuals.

Leïla Leïz’s style is certainly different from what I’m used to seeing; It is neither hyper-realistic nor cartoony in any real way. In fact. it’s a little difficult to describe. The characters are strong and confidently presented. The images have a power to them that sticks in your mind and gives the events in the book weight.  And given that Alters #10 is the last issue of the series we will see for a while the events in the book have an epic, larger than life quality, so that’s very important.

As great as the art of Leïla Leïz is though it’s made even better by the work of colorist Leonardo Paciarotti. His ability to mix muted darker tones with hyper bright ones in the same page, or even same panel, is masterful. It makes the important parts of the images in the book pop out at you. I really hope these two always work together on whatever projects they do.

It would also be a mistake to not mention the work of the letterer here. Ryane Hill’s perfect balloon placement allows the art to shine, but more importantly is how the sound effects give a little extra crunch to the comic pages and perfectly add that extra little punch to the action.

And this brings us finally to the script by veteran writer Paul Jenkins.

What Jenkins is trying to do, both in the issue and in the series in general, is very difficult. He clearly cares a great deal about these characters, and tries to unite them and connect to the reader as much through their flaws as their heroics. As someone who has a trans gender person in my family, who I could not love and support more, I appreciate the deft touch he tackles the topic with. It may not be perfect, but his intentions clearly are.

Paul Jenkins also does something remarkable in the editorial at the end of the issue. He reveals a secret he has kept for a long time, even from many of those closest to him. It is poignant, brave and touching and I thank him for doing that. It perfectly compliments the book and makes it an even richer overall experience.

I am so very glad I got the opportunity to read this book, and hope it finds a large audience, and I’m grateful to Aftershock Comics for publishing it and giving it a platform. Aftershock markets itself saying “These are the comics you’re looking for”. If Alters #10 is any indication then perhaps more accurately we should say “These are the comics we need”.

Recommended for fans of: Midnighter, Gen 13, Deathmatch, John Byrne’s Next Men.

Rating – Very Fine/Near Mint (VF/NM) or 9/10

Review by Mo

Love the review? Hate the review? Disagree with me? I’m happy to talk comics on twitter @Mo_WeTalk

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