Delph’s search for the truth has led him to return back to his home in New Canaan to confront Nicolaus about his lies and exploitation of people and his own life. Can Delph prevent Nicolaus from executing a slaughter of his former rivals, and what will be the cost of this decision?
I didn’t expect for the story to build up the way it did, but now that everything that Winom and Mao have written in the previous issues led to this issue, there is now a full context as to what set everything into motion since issue 1. Windom and Mao put Delph through personal trials of self and questioning the truth that it leads him towards a path that forever changes him and those closest to him. The subtext that is present throughout the book by means of manipulation of media, celebrity worship, economic strife, and nationalism are all handled well in service of the main plot as Delph seeks the truth and confronts it, even at the cost of his own well being in this penultimate issue. There are many questions that linger and beg to be answered as this issue reaches its climax that left a eureka moment for myself and possibly for readers as well.
Jae Lee and June Chung as the illustrator/colorist duo do a fine job with visually crafting this issue. Lee plays around with construction of layouts that read clearly, while Chung bask’s Lee’s linework with the atmospheric color work that she is known for. Crank! Does a fine job lettering the book, placing it where it fits appropriately in tandem with the art, giving room for the art and writing to mesh together nicely as a decent read. It’s worth adding to your pull list for new comic book day.