The Legend of Luther Strode #3 Review

With The Legend of Luther Strode #3, writer Justin Jordan makes a 30+ page book feel twice as long -- in a good way -- as he packs it to the gills with a fast-paced plot that sinks its teeth into you and refuses to let go until the very last page. Jordan is only marginally slowed down when he verges into a moment of exposition to explain both to the reader and his protagonist exactly how Luther has found himself in this exceptionally bloody predicament but the momentum isn't lost for long.

Swooping in like a wise-cracking avenger, Luther’s leading lady, Petra, continues to be the real star of the show, as she proves that you don't need metahuman powers to kick ass, take names, and maintain a steady stream of clever quips while doing so. It's almost disappointing when Petra, whose defining trait is her defiance of easy categorization, is demoted to damsel status but considering Jordan’s treatment of the character thus far, one can faithfully expect him to use her precarious position to do something unexpected in the next issue.

Trad Moore’s art maintains its kinetic energy as his figures fly across the page with a easy sense of motion. Felipe Sobreiro’s colors seem to be getting better with each issue -- and he was no slouch to begin with -- as he capitalizes on Jordan’s narrative rhythm to create an aesthetic that is both vibrantly realistic and deftly original. At the end of the issue, the stage is set for a battle of epic proportions between two superhuman titans but considering Jordan's unpredictable cast of characters, one can safely assume that the oncoming brouhaha will be anything but simple.

Melissa Grey is a lover of all things cats, comics, and outer space. She can be found on MyIGN at MelissaGrey or lurking on Twitter @meligrey.

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