Recap
Warning: spoilers ahead. Picking up immediately where last issue left off - it's Erik Killmonger versus the one and only Bullseye!
Killmonger, King, and Knight barely escape with their lives, and realize they must get out of New York immediately if they want to live. Killmonger and Knight split up from King, and while in safe haven, finally give in to temptation and sleep together. Afterwards, Erik tells Knight where's he's from, and describes the splendor of Wakanda.
Knight steps out, and Erik is ambushed and captured by what he believes to be the Kingpin's men - but much to his surprise, Knight has flipped and sought refuge from S.H.I.E.L.D.! The superspy organization is willing to help them get to safety and start a new life, with one catch: they must turn on King and deliver him to them for justice!
Review
This issue hits the ground running with a fantastically-rendered action sequence. I’ve said this before in the previous reviews for this miniseries, but it merits saying again – Hill and Ferreyra are completely in sync, and it shows in the confidence of their visual storytelling. And it’s not just during the action scenes – the quiet scenes, too, reverberate with a kind of calm that not only serves as a tonal counterpoint to the action, but also speak to the dichotomy of Killmonger as a character.
We’re also treated to a bit of an expansion on Knight as a character, and while it isn’t much, it does serve to properly flesh out her motivations, especially when it comes to her heel-turn involving turning King over to S.H.I.E.L.D. This makes her feel much more real as a three-dimensional character with a real inner life than previous installments have rendered her.
Bryan Hill really shows some chops as a writer this issue, capably demonstrating all in one chapter a canny ability to move the story forward, deliver some fast-paced action beats, and then slow it down for some quiet character moments and introspection. Yet never does any of this feel disjointed. Indeed, the execution in its entirety feels extremely cinematic, and serves very well as a strong middle act, setting up for a strong finish to the story as Erik paints a picture of what he thinks is to come.
Final Thoughts
If you were a fan of Michael B. Jordan's award-worthy performance as Erik Killmonger in last year's Black Panther, what are you waiting for? Buy this comic!
Killmonger #3 (of 5): Where the Sun is an Eye Looking Down
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8.5/108.5/10
- Art - 9.5/109.5/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10