Veil #4 Review

Title:	Veil
Contributors:	Greg Rucka Toni Fejzula
Publisher:	Image Comics
Issue #:	4
Year:	2014
Pages:	32 Pages
Age Rating:	18 (Language, Violence, Gore, Adult Themes)
Story Grade:	B
Art Grade:	A

If I had only one word to describe Veil #4, I would chose "Redemption". Rucka has redeemed himself with a book that is clear, concise and well written. So much is explained in this book that was previously shrouded in complete confusion and non-communicative storytelling before. We finally have book in the series that is worth reading.

The theme of the rats, a constant background character that runs throughout the first three issues, is finally revealed as to the purpose of these creatures and boy-howdy is it fun. We learn what exactly Veil is, who Cormac is and how the two seemingly different personas relate to each other. It's not a pretty relationship, very DOM/SUB, and with a deep feel of BDSM feel. It is intriguing.

We also get to see what became of Dante, Veil's rescuer and partner in crime in the first two issues. After he ran from the cops in Issue #2 it seemed that he just up and vanished. This was quite a let down, to not have any follow up on the Dante storyline in Issue #3, because Dante was the only character in the series that had any morality or generally good qualities about him. Dante was the only character I actually cared about. But he's back and promises to more involved in future issues.

The artwork remains a stunning sight to behold. Fejzula remains at the top of his game giving the reader such fine details and allowing the reader to hang in the gore-aspect of the art just long enough to get uncomfortable and then move us along on.

All in all, this is likely the breakout book of the series. It opens the story up, delivers us character motivations that were previously wide open to interpretation and it closes down on the main plot of the story. Issue #4 feels like the reward for sticking it out through the painful second and third issues.

Why it took Rucka four issues to capture readers I do not know. Maybe he thought a slow cooker was a good approach, but damn. I mean there is slow cooking and then there is trying to cook a t-bone with a single ember from a coal. But it appears the slow cooking is finally behind us as this book really takes off.

I grade this book a solid B. The story is finally making the grade and the art remains superb.

Until next time... Be mindful that your desires aren't actually fulfilled.