Z-View – The Black Beetle: No Way Out #2 by Francavilla

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The Black Beetle: No Way Out is a four issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics.

Written and Directed by Francesco Francavilla

While investigating a mysterious mass murder that leveled Colt City’s mob bosses, Black Beetle gets wrapped up in a puzzling maze of clues. Could the appearance of a costumed criminal named Labyrinto be related to the destruction of the powerful organized-crime racket?

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below *** The Good

  • Francavilla has set up the Black Beetle to look and feel like an old pulp magazine or movie serial.
  • Another great cover by Francavilla.
  • Love the double-page splash on pages 2 and 3.
  • “But luckily no one gets hurt.”
  • “Thankfully I never leave for an ocean trip without a respirator…”
  • “I’ve learned that, in my case, ‘unlikely to happen’ is often likely to happen.”
  • Big panel on page 11.
  • “The moment I hear him… it’s a second too late.”
  • Page 14
  • “Oh, C’mon now!”
  • Darwyn Cooke Black Beetle bonus sketch!
  • More bonus art from Francavilla!

The Bad:

  • “But even with the helipack, I arrived too late.
  • “Take care of the Black Beetle once and for all.”  Yikes!
  • Who is the person lurking in the shadows behind the Black Beetle on page 9 and coming up behind him on page 10?

The Ugly:

  • “It’s a short fall… but long enough to see all those tiny hungry red eyes… waiting for me to hit the water.  They’re all over me in a second. And they keep coming.  And coming.”
  • Water rising quickly and the escape hatch is barred from the outside!

Black Beetle: No Way Out

Rating: 5 out of 5