“You find out life’s this game of inches, so is football.”

– Tony D’Amato, Any Given Sunday

Each time we see Sparta U.S.A. on the new release list, we hope there’ll be a package waiting for us from DC and Wildstorm containing the latest issue.  We’ve given glowing reviews for the first and second issues.  This week, we get an early treat as the issue was waiting at the door on Tuesday.  The series continues on it’s mix of football, Americana, politics and fantasy with a little bit teased, but not enough to quite figure out exactly what’s going on.

This issue falls in the aftermath of Godfrey McLaine’s confrontation with the Maestro.  The town is uneasy with McLaine’s return and sits on the edge of civil war.  Everything is teetering and who knows which way it’ll fall.  Politics, action, and mystery all with a football backdrop.  Somehow it works, and we can’t be happier.

Plot: Life, politics and football are all games of inches.  And this series embodies it.  It makes me wonder if writer David Lapham has Any Given Sunday playing in the background while he scripts each issue, but it’s clear each issue embodies that statement by coach Tony D’Amato.  The story is moving forward giving enough of a reveal to make us not frustrated, but not enough to spill all of the secrets.  It’s an amazing mix of numerous genres and Lapham pulls it off.  Beyond entertaining.  Rating: 8.5

Art: Timmons’ art is still solid and fitting of the various different plot’s needs.  It’s consistent and hasn’t wavered one way or another for all three issues.  Rating: 8

Overall Rating:  The political end of things drops off a bit this issue and instead the focus is on action.  It’s a natural build up from the first two issues and plays out nicely.  It’s original, fun and makes you think.  We’re fans and look forward at what’s to come.  Overall Rating: 8.25

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 22 pages of story    Price: $2.99     Release: Wednesday 5/5/2010

DC and Wildstorm provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.