REVIEW: GLIMMER MAN (2 OF 3)

Review by David Ferguson

Plot: Robert Curley, Darrin O’Toole
Script: Darrin O’Toole
Art: Luca Pizzari

[NOTE: This review will contain SPOILERS for issue one so, if you haven’t read it, you should go buy it (if you haven’t already), read it and then start this review]

As with my review of issue one, I will start with the cover. I really liked the use of colour on the cover to issue one so I’m glad that artist Luca Pizzari kept the colour design element for this one. I’m a fan of the cover telling you something about the contents of the book so I enjoyed the target symbols signifying the appearance of The Archer at the conclusion of the last issue and the beginning of this one.

The first issue switched from various scenes and points in time as it told the story. This issue brings the different time periods closer together and you begin to see the story coming together. Darrin O’Toole is doing some of his best work in this series and there were numerous elements that I enjoyed about the the story. The Quinn boys’ mission in Spain brings them into conflict with aforementioned Archer expanding on the conflict between him and The Glimmer Man in League of Volunteers. We also begin to see a difference in philosophy between the two brothers which ties nicely into the history of the time where Irish families were forced into choosing political sides. We see more of Eamon De Valera (who I just don’t trust) and his machinations. Finally, we see character development for The Glimmer Man and see how you could see him as Captain America of Ireland in some superficial ways but he isn’t in some very important ways.

Once again, I must compliment Luca Pizzari on his Eamon De Valera. I just really like the design/he has come up with. It looks like the man without being too realistic so he fits in the design of the other cast members. This issue has very little action but I enjoyed the action scene so much it gave me the feeling that there was more action than there was. This could have to do with Luca’s ability to make even the non-action scenes dynamic through his use of angles and the addition little design elements that also add to the storytelling. His use of shadows compliments the espionage and political nature of the book. He really got to cut loose on one page which was great to see and he ended with a bang with an excellent splash page to conclude the issue.

This was another great issue from the creative team. It built on the elements of issue one and the story is really coming together. At the same time there are enough questions to be answered and interesting angles to be explored so you want pick up the next issue. I’m looking forward to doing just that.