Thankfully as I finished the first issue of The Killer: Modus Vivendi, I had a second issue waiting for me to devour.  The second issue picks up right where the first one ended as Killer debates if he really wants to go through with his mission as well as why anyone would want his target killed.

Modus Vivendi continues as the Killer begins to understand that for the first time in his career, he has something to lose. His wife, his son, his home; all are threatened by a mysterious and unrelenting client who will push the Killer to the brink. Luckily for the Killer, solving problems is what he does best.

What’s fantastic about this issue is that it mixes up the action and it’s fallout with Killer’s family life.  We see numerous sides of the main character, a unrepentant heartless killing machine as well as a family man, providing for his wife and child.  Mixed in all of the action and calmness is a story of political intrigue and manipulation as the plot begins to reveal itself.

This is absolutely one of the summer’s must reads.  Do yourself a favor and get to your shop and pick up a copy.

Plot: Matz plots this out perfectly and the issue is broken up into three parts, the act and it’s fallout, the calm with Killer’s family and the next steps.  We’re shown numerous sides of the main character and in the end I’m rooting for what is a psychopath.  I don’t care who he has and hasn’t killed.  I just want him to have a happy life with his wife and child.  That’s got to be some good writing right?  Rating: 9.25

Art: Luc Jacamon’s art is fantastic continuing the excellence from the first issue.  Again my only problem with the comic’s art as a whole is that each page is blocky and there’s not much variation in the panels.  But in the end, that’s a minor issue and I’m struggling to find a lot of the fault with the art.  Rating: 9

Overall: Again, it says a lot that the disappointing thing about this comic series is that it’s not a graphic novel I can read in one sitting.  I want to read it and see what happens next.  It’s sharing comics like this that began to blog.  A great read, great plot, great characters and great art.  Top notch read, all the way.  Rating: 9.25

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 32 pages    Price: $3.95     Release: 6/3/2010

Archaia provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.