Sons of the Devil #5 Review

Writer: Brian Buccellato / Artist: Toni Infante / Image Comics

There’s no artist more fitting for this comic than Toni Infante. His style captures the tone of this book so well that it’s hard to imagine another artist on the panels, no matter how talented they are. Issue #5 was a little less than expected with facial detail, especially in mid-range and wide scenes where I would have loved cleaner, more defined characteristics instead of the sketchy scribble, but the close shots still show enough emotion to fill a page. Infante does both all the art for Sons of the Devil, including colors, so it must take an exorbitant amount of time on tight deadlines, so the occasional efficiency would be understandable. Exhibits A and B happen to be side by side in this sequence.

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Issue #5 is a set-up chapter for what’s to come, so while nothing monumental happens plot wise, the book builds on its character development and introduces a few new faces. With everything happening around them and his less that perfect judgment in response, Travis and Mel’s relationship is bearing the brunt of the blow. Their relationship – which I have strong feelings about (which everyone should have strong feelings about) – is the clear distraction from the danger that lives right around the corner, and is written well enough that you care about their ‘happily ever after’ even though you should obviously fear for their lives. And that continues to be the best thing about this book – you fear for the characters because you care about them.

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Sons of the Devil continues to be one of my favorite books, and perhaps the most slept on by major audiences. Slim chance it stays that way for long as readers hear about this series and jump on the bandwagon – I just hope it ends as well as it began. The stage has been set, players put in motion, and everyone is emotionally distracted from the storm about to hit. And when it hits, I’ll be in a corner reading, feeling how I did in 1995 when Kevin Spacey kneeled, Morgan Freeman begged, and Brad Pitt needed to know what was in that box.

8.6 out of 10

Reading Sons of the Devil? You can catch up on previous reviews here.

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  • Jordan Calhoun is a writer in New York City. His forthcoming debut book "Piccolo Is Black" is a celebration of the common adaptations we made while non-diverse pop culture helped us form identities. He holds a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice, B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Japanese, and an M.P.A. in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy. He might solve a mystery, or rewrite history. Find him on Instagram and Twitter @JordanMCalhoun

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