Gladstone’s School For World Conquerors #3
Publisher: Image
Writer: Mark Andrew Smith
Artist: Armand Villavert
Cover: Armand Villavert
We’re three issues into the series, folks, and things couldn’t be better! The focus here pulls us deeper into the plot as Abraxas is put on trial for his actions last issue. After the verdict is passed, he’s sent to the prison known as Tartarus, and from here we get to see two of the kids who I really liked from the first issue, the Skull Twins. They’re visiting mom who seems to be one of the most dangerous villains around. Also the twins know the truth about the superheroes and the villains, so it looks like everyone is just biding their time.
Smith uses this issue to flesh out his story, so expect plenty of dialog, which is never a bad thing when an issue is this well written. The humor is toned down a bit, but Smith still finds great ways to get a laugh out of the reader. From Mummy Girl finally giving her phone number to Kid Nefarious, to the Skull Twins relinquishing more weapons than humanly possible before being allowed into the prison. Smith provides great moments here among others. There’s also an interesting little sequence with Kid Nefarious’s dad, and I’m really hoping it plays out the way I’m expecting it to.
The artwork is nothing short of what we have come to expect from Villavert seeing as how he’s been great in the previous issues. His style makes you ask yourself why you’re not watching Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors, because it’s got a great animated feel to it. He pulls off the calmer moments in the story especially well during the trial and prison visit. This made seeing the fight sequence with Nefarious that much better, plus Villavert makes him look like THE guy to beat. Villavert also has made this cover my favorite so far in the series.
Smith and Villavert are delivering one of the best all-ages books that you should be checking out! He’s poking fun at the superhero genre in a great way, and just having fun with it. So get outside of your comfort zone and head to your local comic shop and pick this title up immediately!
Infinite Speech
infinitespeech@comicattack.net
