Villordsutch reviews Aphrodite IX #4…
“Everything changes as Aphrodite IX discovers the truth about herself and how her handler Burch has been manipulating her.”
I have become a fan of Matt Hawkins’ tales over a mere handful of comics. His stories are full, clever and interesting; as yet I have not hit a dull moment in any one of the comics. I think you know the review here is going to be a good one and you’re trotting to the shop now. Hopefully you have a tablet or suitable phone to continue reading the rest of this review…
What I find interesting with this issue is the fact that I am starting to actually wonder who the “bad guy” actually is. As we are aware, Aphrodite IX is sent to infiltrate the Gens high powered families of Genesis City. Her mission is to assassinate the heads of the ruling family thereby sending Genesis City into a political and tribal panic. When the panic begins SEPROS (cybernetically enhanced humans) shall attack and capture Genesis City. Initially in issue #3 I believed that I was looking at Good and Evil but now I’m not overly sure. I like the sudden shift in my thinking as it’s making me look at the Gens in a different light.
Yes we have, with the SEPROS, a future updated Macbeth Scottish play moment with Cackling Evil-Like Doers who have replaced their cauldron with a holographic display of Genesis City, but even this isn’t altering my feelings that Gens may not be overly sweet and nice. However, I’m probably bloody wrong and you’ll all be laughing your fluffy Monsters Inc. Sulley-inspired slippers off at me next month. You heartless swines!
I feel what makes this issue good is the excellent writing skills of Mr. Hawkins. I’m allowed to have smarts and not be dragged down to just be pleased with nothing more that empty violent acts. Again though my only minor irritation is the art of Stjepan Sejic – it’s not poor by any means, but it doesn’t feel right with the story. Instead of a flowing, organic feel to the scenes painted we get (again) ridged still set pieces. There is just no life to it, unlike the work of Marc Silvestris (see page 30), which would be my preference for these comics. However, Stjepan’s work is still fantastic, to look at even if it isn’t suitable for the story.
Villordsutch is married with kids and pets. He looks like a tubby Viking and enjoys science fiction. Follow him on Twitter.
Originally published August 23, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
