Mercy Sparx #1 - Under New Management - Review

Mercy Sparx - #1 - Volume 2

Publication Date:
June 2013

Written and Created by:
Josh Blaylock

Art by:
Matt Merhoff

Previously in Mercy Sparx (according to DDE and Arcana):

'After a year doing the bidding of Heaven, being given orders by a mysterious demon known only as Mr Suit, Mercy learned that she wasn't working for heaven at all. Rather, she'd been duped into hunting rogue angels by, ironically, another rogue angel. This massively powerful being had plans to achieve the dark triumphs that has eluded Lucifer, only to be foiled by a strategic alliance of Mercy, her ingenious buddy Hank, and Mr Suit. Once the dust settled, heaven threw in a twist, deciding that in fact they liked having someone on earth in Mercy's capacity. And thus being Chapter Two of her life on earth: Under New Management.'

So what can you expect?

Oddly enough I have never read an issue of Mercy Sparx but I have always been tempted to give it a go. Of course when a new volume of Mercy Sparx starting at issue #1 hit shelves last week, I knew now was the time to give it a go.

Whilst it was a rather long issue it was very humorous and really gave you a sense of who Mercy is. You can't help but like this character. The opening panels are a bit of a gift for the new reader (like me) who needs some context into the character before delving too much into Mercy's next chapter. Then as the issue progresses we bounce around a bit, not just in time, but in different realms of existence. That said, it is not confusing to follow, the reader is able to see the influences over Mercy's life and direction in this new series easily enough.

Mercy is a bit of an adventurous bad-ass and you see this in action in the first half of the issue. She has a job to do and she is committed. But she doesn't act alone, she confides in an odd character named Hank who throughout this issue is followed by a priest with an interest in him (or perhaps his association with Mercy). We don't know that for sure just yet...but lets back up a bit...

Mercy must deliver a message to Colopatiron, but he has made a terrible error which places them both in a difficult position. All the while the council of angels oversees her ongoing mission on earth (including oversight by the Archangel Michael).

So what did I think?

I really enjoyed Merhoff's artwork. I think he does well to visually represent a first issue that is heavy on content. His interpretation of Archangel Michael and heaven's council is pretty spectacular and it keeps you engaged in the story. The writing is good too and flows nicely. Blaylock manages to keep you following his story without too much effort, which at times goes off on tangents that I hope become relevant in later issues.

This is a good comic book. I am one of those comic book readers that would love to get into Mercy Sparx, but it is just not my type of comic book. If heaven and hell type of comic books are your thing, you will love Mercy Sparx.

What did others think of this issue?

Comic Booked had this to say (a new reader like me):

Comic Booked Review 

That's all I could find as far as reviews go fellow comic book geeks.

So what do I give it?

8 out of 10. A great balance between good art and well developed story as the issue progresses.

Enjoy.