The way we realize we are aging, is remembering certain events that are recorded in history. My grandparents, on my mother’s side, used to tell us stories of how cruel the Japanese were, during their occupation during World War II, which is now literally last century. My parents, both were new to New York, during the “Summer of Sam”, where everyone was scared to walk the streets. During my time, there a fair number of events that have marked my life.

This reality came full circle, when OJ Simpson was released on parole, for burglary, and I, like anyone alive during that time could remember when was under indictment for murder. Another historical event that personally touched me, because I knew people who were there, was the tragedy on the USS Cole, as I think of those who were lost that day many times. Another historical evet, that did not relate to, or even know personally, is the Berlin Wall getting tore down. Some high stakes evens occurs during this very event, in the third volume of Alpha, The List.

In the opening pages, we get a behind the scenes view of what happened when the Berlin Wall, fell, to both governments. As both governments consolidate, one of their top spies flees the country, taking some state secrets with him. Alpha gets called into the mix, as he must retrieve a list from this former spy, a list that could many high-profile individuals behind bars.  Alpha and his partner gets sent to Amsterdam to retrieve this list but he has some competition, as those individuals don’t want the list to get out. By book end, not everyone comes out this alive, as some would see it as a failure, but Alpha’s dignity is what ultimately hat gets him that list.

Overall, a great story, that reminds me so much of the movie, Sneakers. The story by Youri Jigounov provides levity and tension in a genre that leans more towards the latter. The art by Mystic is magnetic Altogether, this is type of story that proves spies are definitely the agents of change  in a world of shadows.

Story: Youri Jigounov Art: Mystic
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy