Written by: Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel
Art by: Rod Reis
Publisher: Image
If you thought the first three issues of COWL were good, then you’re in for an absolute treat with COWL #4. As much as I, personally, enjoyed the first three issues, they did consist of largely build up. The tension and stakes rose with every issue, but here, it all begins to come to a head, with everything coming together. This did, to an extent, begin at the end of the last issue, with COWL choosing to go on strike, and certain members of the organization beginning to take matters into their own hands. This issue deals with the start of the strike, and the events that ensue, as well as some of the follow up to Radia going after members of the mob.
Before I get into the nitty gritty and the specifics of the issue, I feel the need to, once again, praise co-writers Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel for the concept behind COWL. At this point, anyone who’s reading the book knows what it is, but for those who don’t: superheroes in Chicago, after operating outside the law, decided to unionize. Though it may not be for everyone, the behind the scenes political maneuvering of the union leaders and Chicago’s government is great. This is the side of superheroes I’ve wanted to see for a while. It’s something that Geoff Johns tried to do in Justice League, but seemed to be unfortunately held back. With COWL, though, we get to see Higgins and Siegel go all out with the concept, and it’s great.
Anyways, this book succeeds on more than a conceptual level. The execution has been excellent as well, with Higgins and Siegel creating a great cast of characters that populate an unbelievably fleshed out world. Each of the characters has their own defining characteristics that makes them believable, as if they were real people who just happen to have superpowers or fight crime. More so than superheroes that exist in the DC or even the Marvel universes, these characters feel like they could exist in a real world context. That’s not a knock against the big two, as the goal of COWL is very different. It’s not about the big, bold superheroics of those two universes. It’s a more grounded story about characters with relatable issues.
More than anything else, however, this issue has me more excited for the next than any of the past issues have. The last couple pages of this issue are absolutely stellar, and considering certain current events, these events seem uncannily timely. Between this and Kathryn’s character (whom I now absolutely adore, due to her character arc that began in the previous issue), I have extremely high hopes for COWL #5. And based on what we’ve seen so far from Higgins, Siegel, and Rod Reis, I have no doubt that it will not only meet those expectations, but could very well exceed them as well. The trio seems to be able to do absolutely no wrong with this book, and really seem to be doing what could be career defining work.
