Spread #3 Review

Writer: Justin Jordan Artist: Kyle Strahm

  Have you ever eaten something simple at a restaurant, something that you’ve eaten dozens if not hundreds of times before, and been blown away by how fantastic it is? Like, the ingredients aren’t exactly new to you, nothing is overly exotic or foreign to your palette, there was just something…RIGHT…about the sauce? Y’all. That’s what Spread is for me. It’s not particularly unique in theme, the influences are clear and plentiful, but Jordan and Strahm are doing something in that kitchen that sets the series apart from both it’s predecessors and the rest of the titles currently running on Image. It’s the pizza that you text your friends a picture of at 1am accompanied only by the words, “HOLY SHIT.” I say all that to say simply, don’t sleep. Spread is that deal. In this third issue, we’re in for a bit of a tonal shift. No, our protagonist, proves that he is capable of more than just hatchet bludgeonry and one or two word sentences, and Molly, the newest member of the group, continues being her wonky yet endearing self. That’s important to note because there are multiple occasions where we see No protecting and regarding her almost tenderly, further establishing a sense of humanity that balances out his rugged appearance and savage fighting style. Molly is a bright spot in a truly gruesome world, and there are times her detachment reminds me of Neil Gaiman’s Delirium (which is, for me, pretty high praise). Baby Hope continues…