Holy shit! Red Winter #2 delivers and then some! Created by Michael Gordon and Francisco Munoz, the comic is the gritty crime story that stands out from the pack.

Written by Gordon the issue continues the spiral of Eli Winter who has found out his son shot up the drug den of Eli’s gangster boss. From there we meet a broader cast of characters and like a Tarantino film, the results get out of hand with bloody consequences.

Gordon, along with Munoz’s art, deliver a solid crime entry. There’s just a raw dirtiness about the issue that captures the mood and desperation. Add in a solid sense of a father panicking to get his son to safety. There’s also a solid sense of that son’s hatred towards his father.

Then Red Winter #2 pulls the rug out from under you. There’s so much more to this than a simple crime tale.

Munoz’s art adds to the dirty, gritty aspect of it all. The grime is present and you feel a bit dirty yourself staring at the pages. Rundown locations look exactly that. The art helps convey this is not a place you want to touch anything. The ink from Munoz and color by Rolands Kalnins adds to it all. There’s sparse use of color sticking to a drab palette. It helps enhance the environments. Nikki Sherman‘s lettering helps deliver some of the more emotional aspects of the dialogue also setting the mood of each scene.

Red Winter #2 takes the interesting premise of the first issue, builds on it, then throws something completely unexpected to the mix. It’s a hell of a second issue that’s a rollercoaster and beyond a solid entry in its genre, and comics in general.

Story: Michael Gordon, Art: Francisco Munoz
Ink: Francisco Munoz Color: Rolands Kalnins Letters: Nikki Sherman
Story: 8.65 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

I love a good crime/noir comic and Red Winter #1 delivers the beginning of one in an unusual location. Taking place in Russia, the bleak location adds to the mood of the series becoming a character unto itself.

Written by Michael Gordon, who co-created it with artist Francisco Munoz, Red Winter #1 introduces us to former American detective. He’s broken down now living in Russia working for the mob. He’s called in to investigate a hit on a drug facility. As is the norm of these types of stories, the twists and turns from there are the entertainment.

Winter is both the last name of the detective as well as the season of the city he now resides. It’s coldness on display in the art, the city, and the character. Characters are key here. Each individual we’re introduced to is full of personality that has them shining and standing out in their own unique way. Nazis, punks, more traditional mobsters, and a burnt-out detective, it feels like a checklist but it adds something to the story.

The art by Munoz, with color by Rolands Kalnins and lettering by Nikki Sherman, is solid giving us a gritty style to match the dirty city and broken characters within. It’s a solid match of look and story.

Red Winter #1 is a comic I didn’t have my eye on necessarily though the subject and genre is one I enjoy. After reading this first issue, it’s a series I’m diving in to with each subsequent release. This is also a creative team to keep your eye on. Red Winter #1 feels like a stealth release far too many will miss out on and if you’re a fan of crime/noir stories or 80s films like Red Heat, it’s a comic you need to grab.

Story: Michael Gordon Art: Francisco Munoz
Color: Rolands Kalnins Letters: Nikki Sherman
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy

Scout Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review