Beatrix and Serena are held hostage by Dillinger, and the only one capable of rescuing them is Sprout. The hospital facility is emptied, and the only guarantee is someone is going to die.
Wagner has a way to hit the ground running when pacing this series, and this issue is no exception. Right out the gate, the reader is dropped right into the action without a dull moment to spare, with every panel and dialogue conveying purpose. There is a nice balance of tension and relief within this issue that makes for a satisfying read by the time readers make it to the final page. Sprout’s battle against Dillinger is vicious, tactical, and satisfying within this penultimate issue, all due in part to the visual choreography displayed by the art team. Wagner has made Sprout a terrifying force to be reckoned with as readers get to see how capable she is as a trained assassin. With everything that’s happened within this book, it’s exciting to see where Wagner concludes this tale of revenge.
Doug Dabbs and Matt Wilson are a solid illustrator and colorist duo. Their art style blends well with one another, making this book a visually delightful read. Dabbs is a very skilled illustrator that knows how to make use of panel compositions, contrasts with screentones, character design, expressive gestures, and action. Truly a one of a kind illustrator that strikes the right balance of animated and realistic simultaneously, without risking static photorealism that would’ve taken away from the visual spectacle of this book stylistically. Wilson’s colors are just as effective with beautiful brush tones, and textures that bring another dimension to life and emotion to Dabbs’ art, and Ed Dukshire’s lettering effectively conveys that same energy in his lettering.