Review: Near Death #6

Jay Faerber and Simone Guglielmini have impressed thoroughly on plot/art respectively in issues 1-5 but here it seems like a contrite effort to build tenuously on the previous core and book foundation while scoping the past criminal works of Ed Brubaker. I don’t find this issue appalling but it didn’t enthrall as much when Markham comes to LA to help a dame. It’s nice to see Markham not on top his game as before as we get that humanity and human error needed to make him relatable and believable. The story is enveloped nicely by the fact that it’s a ticking timebomb for Markham as he repents and tries to score good points for heaven.
It’s CRIMINAL meets CONSTANTINE without the eerie horror creep-show. It just doesn’t live up and fulfill the promise of the predecessor issues and I still find it hard to believe that this redemption has Markham outwitting old allies. He should be figured out and caught, beaten or shot by now. It’s too nascent a concept to have become stagnant at this juncture. It’s a good read but not riveting as before (6/10)