Wolf last left readers in the desert, where Antoine Wolfe attempted to save himself and the pivotal character Anita Christ from being sacrificed. Wolfe and Anita are living myths, which is the underlying concept for the whole series: Myths are alive. Some of them live in Los Angeles. Though they were saved by the Santa Ana Winds (another mythical aspect of the series), the issue concluded the first arc of the series somewhat ambiguously. Anita appeared to turn into a werewolf and drove away with an injured Wolfe in the backseat, leaving the coming of the apocalypse up in the air.

Wolf #5 is the first new issue in three months, and begins the first part of a five issue arc, “Apocalypse, Soon.” The team on this book is mostly the same, with Ales Kot writing, but the artist is now Ricardo López Ortiz instead of Matt Taylor. Their styles are very different–where Taylor used a lot of clean lines, Ortiz’s style is more sketch-like and exaggerated. One potential issue with changing artists is that the characters could be almost unrecognizable in two different styles, but Lee Loughridge’s superb coloring helps to ease the change in artists. It is a noticeable difference, but their styles are complementary.

The shift doesn’t impede the story, and the opening pages show that Wolfe has been captured, though it’s not explained why or how. A few panels later, Anita reveals that the story has jumped ahead five years, saying that she’s almost eighteen. The events of #5 raise more questions than they answer, but they were compelling events. If Ales Kot’s previous works are anything to go by, the answers will be worth the wait.

This story could be confusing to first time readers. With the beginning of a new arc, it’s not entirely necessary to have read the first volume to understand this issue, but the background will likely be critical to understand future events. Kot doesn’t typically go for a lighthearted story, and Wolf is no exception. Fans of Pretty Deadly and East of West might take interest in Wolf, based on its roots in myth and crime.

Wolf does have lighthearted moments (enough to balance out the seriousness) but it is a comic better understood on a second reading. Kot is well-practiced in holding back on the reveal, and again, Wolf is no exception. Readers know enough to understand the story, but will likely get the sense that more of the little details will click into place as the story progresses.

Story: Ales Kot Art: Ricardo López Ortiz Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Story: 8.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review