In the wake of tragedy, Grahame makes a desperate gamble for leadership of the Mars Family. But to do so, he must battle with his stepsister Temple for the Spear of Mars. Elsewhere, Bela’s document leak has brought her fame and attention, but she begins to question the motives of her new ally, Hum. Also: The Lizard Men attack!

Cryptocracy #5 finally reveals who Hum works for, a man who is supposed to be dead, so it’s a nice twist. And, if that isn’t enough another odd sub-human species is revealed in the issue. And that’s through their attack on Bela, the one women Hum trusted. Yet there is something she learns as everything goes wrong. What starts with murder, ends with a bang from writer Van Jensen.

While much has changed in the art style of Pete Woods, the addition of the lizard men was an interesting sight. While they do appear in the background of the cover art, they have a slightly different appearance in the issue which is an interesting and noticeable thing.

Story: Van Jensen Art: Pete Woods
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

The Nine Families have ruled civilization from the shadows for time beyond memory. But now, for the first time, they are being hunted. Family leaders begrudgingly forge an alliance to discover the hunter’s identity, but in so doing only place themselves in greater danger.

Written by Van Jensen, Cryptocracy manages to mix conspiracy theories, secret societies, and so much more. In this issue, the shadows are pulled back some, as a mysterious, but powerful being begins to fight back. Who, and what, is Chronos? Given what his name comes from, I’m curious to see what the organization decides to do and where Jensen takes things from here.

I will admit there is some interesting shocks in this issue, but I won’t spoil them. They make for surprising sights from artist Pete Woods, that I doubt you will miss. The mysterious Hum, seems to get more colorful with each issue, despite the briefness of his appearances.

A riddle of a series that gets better with each issue.

Story: Van Jensen Art: Pete Woods
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

For time beyond memory, the Nine Families watched from the shadows, believing themselves shepherds and manipulating whole societies as they saw fit. Nothing happened that they didn’t observe or control. Outsiders knew naught of the Families, much less threatened them. Until now.

Writer Van Jensen creates something where what is real is an illusion, and what is truly real is buried in fiction, and conspiracies. There’s a blending of this version of realism, fantasy, and conspiracies as he delves deep into the secretive Cryptoracy and the nine families that rule the world. He even manages to sneak in a few bits of humor here and there. It all comes together to make this premiere issue oddly intriguing.

The art by Pete Woods is clear cut and shows a great degree of realism which is impressive considering the concept. Some of the stranger sights in this comic are actually better for it and don’t feel out of place. I won’t reveal what they are but, they are surprising, to say the least.

Story: Van Jensen Art: Pete Woods
Story: 8.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review