Black Market #3
Boom! Studios
Words: Frank J. Barbiere
Pictures: Victor Santos

I can’t help but feel for our hero Ray as we delve deeper into this story.  He didn’t want to be dissecting super heroes for profit, he was just trying to do the right thing.  But this poor dude just keeps falling that much short of complete success. 

That’s not quite right.  His wife is in his corner.  But, he does seem to have out kicked his coverage when it comes to Shannon.  I’m sorry, but she just seems just a wee bit out of his league, but she’s loves him so… but I digress.  Ray just keeps trying, just getting by, and just falling short.  And with just one more issue to go, I can’t help but say “Come on!  Let the due win one!”  So much of this story is gritty and dark; Ray’s brotheris a hard luck case hampered by bad choices; the cops aren’t super nice (they’re black mailing bastards if you want to throw labels around); the supers are arrogant a-holes; the former heroes are feeling old and forgotten; and people are paying to eat Super-Powered-Hero-Bits in hopes of gaining super powers.  That’s dark.  But the thread that holds everything together and keeps the dark from completely enveloping him is Ray’s constant hope that if he can just make it through these next few moments, everything will be fine.  That and his love for his wife and her love for him. 

Plus, I’ll admit (and I think I’ve admitted this before) I’m a fan of Victor Santos.  I really dig his style.  I especially love his portrayal of Tiger Bomb.  It’s perfect.  If you haven’t seen him yet, when you do, you’ll go “Yep.  That’s what a dude named Tiger Bomb should look like”. 

With just one more issue to go, I can’t wait until next month.

4.5 out 5 Tiger Bombs