What would you do if you knew your friends were walking into a trap? This is where friendships are tested, as most real-world traps are not life-threatening. People who you think are your friends might be more self-interested to see what would happen. It seems people are rarely genuinely interested in helping people.

People who truly want to help tend to be rare breed these days. In the third issue of Afterburn: Crossfire, we find Jake looking to correct a mistake which can cost his friends their lives.

We’re taken to Rome, where we find Mathias and Andrea with a military battalion, trying to find a way out of the city and away from the mutant invasion. We also find Jake on a train heading to Rome, where he has not only to fight off some mutants but also his Hidinger’s men. Mathias and Andrea come face to face with the Pope who has also been infected and who controls all of Rome. As Jake’s plan goes awry, he finds himself imprisoned with an unlikely foe. By issue’s end, a fight to the death leaves no loose ends.

Overall, another action-packed issue in this spectacular series, that more than lives up its name. The story by Scott Chitwood is exciting smart and well characterized. The art by Rod Thornton and Sean Lee is gorgeous. Altogether, an issue plays out like a penultimate episode of a series which will end the series in spectacular fashion.

Story: Scott Chitwood Art: Rod Thornton and Sean Lee
Story: 10 Art: 9.8 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy

Nicholas Cage is one of those actors who inhabit the screen and takes over the scene. I remember the first movie I watched him in was Moonstruck, where he played Danny Aiello’s brother and Cher’s love interest. His portrayal showed me and the world how serious an actor he was. Little did the world know that he came from Hollywood royalty at the time, being the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola and Talia Shire.

His other movies became iconic if not bizarre. For example Raising Arizona. In one of his most mainstream movies which would spawn a sequel, National Treasure, a series where his character would search for American relics. The movies captured just how much we cherish finding those hidden gems in the most obscure places. In the second issue of Afterburn: Crossfire, the story ramps up the action much like the Nicholas Cage gem, as we hope our heroes get to the treasure first.

We open up on a mysterious stranger who knows Andrea. She has no idea of their connection. The moment is quickly broken up as Jake’s team takes heavy suppression fire from Hidinger’s team. This recent exploit meant them losing another relic, which pushes Jake to split the team in order to cover more ground. But it may be a move that costs him dearly as they encounter a mutant threat never seen before.

Overall, an excellent second issue that gives readers a deeper dive into this world and all its intricacies. The story by Scott Chitwood is complex and exciting. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that only gets better with each issue.

Story: Scott Chitwood Art: Rod Thornton and Sean Lee
Story: 9.6 Art: 9.4 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy