Final Boss: Masked Vigilante #1 – Revenge

Masked Vigilante is a break-out spin off from the “Final Boss” series. Bringing readers closer to the character than before! What really makes this shadow assassin tick…?

Creative Team

Tyler Kirkham (Writer), Leon Govender (Artist), Daniel Nayaka (Colorist), Zen (Letterer/Editor),
Phil Smith (Designer)

Publisher: Image Comics

“Revenge“

“Final Boss: Masked Vigilante” is a one-shot issue that brings readers closer to the fan favorite character, Masked Vigilante. This story from Tyler Kirkham is very intriguing! Readers are met with action within the first couple pages and it is awesome.

This issue takes readers on a present-day journey as well as one from the past. Readers will learn so much about the main character and how they became the vigilante they are today. Within the present-day portions of this issue, it becomes very evident to the readers the type of crime the main character focuses on stopping. Which is prevalent in today’s real world! Makes me ponder on why no one has tried to embody what the Masked Vigilante is doing within our real-world struggle on this issue.

The action panels and pages throughout this issue are absolutely brutal! The weapons used by the main character are very thoughtfully crafted to serve more than one purpose. This makes every weapon in their arsenal a dual threat! The level of intensity for the fights within this issue is high! The term “ruthless aggression” comes to mind when trying to explain the brutality coming from the Masked Vigilante.

Now this story is labeled as a “one-shot”, but the ending is left so open that you could run a Mac Truck through it! Readers are going to want more, especially pre-existing “Final Boss” fans. I for one, would love to see this title get a limited run for starters! Give this “fan favorite” character the chance to shine on their own under their own stand-alone title.

The Writing

Tyler Kirkham’s attention to detail in regard to a character’s history is intriguing. The story building and character development are off the charts within the writing. This story is easy to follow and comprehend, not leaving readers in the “shadows” as they read. The plot for this story is also one that this world is facing and has for several years now. And Tyler’s writing around this has a level of emotional impact that may strike readers in the heart.

The Artwork

Leon Govender and Daniel Nayaka did an amazing job creating a visual to Kirkham’s story! The pencil work is clean and smooth. The details within the art compete or even surpass the details within the narration of this story. The coloration of this issue truly assists in setting the tone for the story. Dark color tones and shading bring the essence of a dark story. The action panels and splash pages are absolutely gorgeous! Full page spreads of intense fighting full of detail and color are so visually pleasing.

Zen does an amazing job at placement of comment and narration boxes! That is key to me! Comment bubbles are easily distinguishable in regard to who is speaking making the reader’s job so easy! Inner narration from the main character is boxed off and in a different color to help differentiate dialogue from narration. Great work all around in the art department!

Variant Covers

Final Thoughts

This one-shot issue has all the fixings to be a mid length series. Which is why I’m stunned that it is only a one-shot. I wish that the publisher would reconsider this because you could make this into a really great series. The story is straight forward for readers to easily comprehend what is going on. The art matches the same tone given off from the script of the story which is great for readers! Go get a copy of Final Boss: Masked Vigilante today!

Grade: 9/10

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