Written by: Justin Jordan
Art by: Kyle Strahm
Publisher: Image
There’s something very interesting about Spread, something that separates it from other post apocalyptic comics. Interestingly enough, it takes advantage of a good deal of zombie apocalypse tropes, both in this issue, but also in the opening two. This issue, for example, sees the trio of protagonists enter a village that offers some remnant of civilization. Within, they find that there is something nefarious keeping the place going. And then, of course, there’s the hard, silent male protagonist. Despite this, co-creators Justin Jordan and Kyle Strahm have created something really cool, and really special, with their new Image series.
Bear with me for a second, as we bounce back to the first two issues of the series for a minute. Both of them were great, but they survived solely off of the ultra violence and entertainment value. There was more than that to them, yes, but that was really the hook for Spread #1, and even Spread #2, though perhaps to a somewhat lesser extent. Spread #3 takes us on a completely different direction. Spread #1 started readers off at the very top of a mountain, and then kicked them off, plummeting at a breakneck pace towards the ground. A parachute on the reader’s back by the name of Spread #2 then opened, and subsequently broke. Fortunately, a second parachute, Spread #3, was able to slow the fall of the reader.
So, like with any book that reels the pace back, Spread #3 is a double edged sword. Many will no longer have the exhilaration, and the book is no longer as tense as the first two issues were. The risk here is, of course, boredom. After all, how much fun can a parachute ride be? Fortunately, this parachute ride occurred over a sprawling vista, which readers can marvel upon as they slowly drift to the ground. That vista, of course, is the world of Spread, which opens up significantly in this issue. Justin Jordan’s words make the world feel extraordinarily fleshed out, and as No and his comrades enter the makeshift town in this issue, we get a sense for just how much this world has to offer, even with a few throwaway lines of dialogue.
As important as Jordan’s masterful writing may be, it’s really Strahm’s art that brings the world to life before the eyes of the reader. Along with colorist Felipe Sobreiro, Strahm takes Jordan’s words and transforms them into the vibrancy that we see in Spread #3. It breathes life into a world that is defined by death, a hard thing to do. But then again, so do the characters. Maybe not so much No, but Molly, despite her naivete, makes the book come alive. Her enthusiasm and joy at the smallest of things represents an optimism that should have been killed off long ago, especially in this setting. The contrast between Molly and the world is great to watch unfold.
Of course, I could still comment on the action in this issue. Really, though, it’s such a small part of what makes Spread #3 so amazing, and based off of the cliffhanger ending, action will be talked about next month, and probably extensively. For now, however, pick up Spread #3. Enjoy the calm before the storm. And there is undeniably much to be enjoyed here.
