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The “Chicago Organized Workers League” or C.O.W.L. have survived due to the maneuvering of Geoffrey Warner (The Grey Raven). It has not be without strings attached. Dirty Dealings and murdering mobster Camden Stone tops a very seedy list.
Two years after Stone’s death, Warner has big plans but sins of the past appear to be coming back to haunt.
C.O.W.L. 1964 #2 by Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, Rod Reis and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Black market narrative/Image Comics) continues its distinct look at the world of superheroes.
Let’s take a closer look at how the story’s shaping up.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Keeping his head above water has always been a trait of Geoffrey Warner. His dealings with Stone have now become public due to a possible witness to his crimes.
The writing shows his calmness tested to hold onto control. This becomes apparent at the Unity Fund Gala. When other attendees start to gossip, Warner hits them with a defiant line before leaving the party. It is a perfect reflection of how he refuses to surrender an ounce of ground to get what he wants.
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The other standout character in this chapter is Reginald Davis (Blaze). His conversation assessing Warner’s claims brings forth a sense of worry as their work might be crumbling down. Davis investigating the lone witness comes with confrontation on a few fronts. Aside form the action, the return of a certain character caps off more intrigue to the fate of one Geoffrey Warner.
Reis brings out the many sides of Warner throughout the issue. From the opening press conference, Warner is depicted as the typical politician. This quickly changes in the private meeting with Davis. The panels pour with the tension and urgency to handle the allegations.
It boils over to the Gala. The panels showcases the gossip and Warner’s response set the tone for the rest of the chapter. Skylancer’s encounter is filled with fast paced action. The pages are an easy connection to readers and their reward is a shocking conclusion. The closing act is capped off with a full page image that leaves no doubt that things will be forever changed for C.O.W.L.
FINAL POINT: 9.1
The plans built by Geoffrey Warner start to crack at the seams with another excellent chapter for the sequel series. Strong writing from Higgins and Siegel tear away at Warner’s vision. Capped off by the fantastic art and lettering by Reis and Otsmane-Elhaou, the return of C.O.W.L. continues to impress with its’ more mature themes.
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