Comic Review: Death or Glory #1

Death or Glory #1

Image Comics

Writer: Rick Remender

Artist: Bengal

Death or Glory #1 introduces the reader to Glory Owen, the series protagonist who needs to make money quickly in order to save her dying father.

Glory Owen is an instantly relatable character who is willing to do anything to help her dying father, who can’t get any coverage without money due to living off of the grid.  Unfortunately for Glory, she is being followed by an ex-husband who also happens to be a crime lord, which makes the ground beneath her even less stable. With nowhere else to turn to, Glory is cornered into a decision that involves risky heists.

Rick Remender’s ability to tell a compelling story is showcased here, creating a believable world and a protagonist that readers can easily fall in love with. This issue is almost twice the size of the average comic, but Remender does well at keeping a steady pace to keep the reader engaged. The story does lose a bit of traction towards the middle, but an exciting conclusion to the issue helps reignite interest.

Rick Remender is joined by Bengal, who both draws and colors this gorgeous book. His bold lines and animated expressions fit the tone of this book perfectly. Some of the action sequences of this title can seem silly at times, but the artistic decisions show that it shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Outside of the action, every character is a joy to look at. Glory goes through a flurry of emotions, and every panel allows the reader to get a glimpse of the hardships she is enduring. Bengal’s style injects the humor that the writing mostly omits, making what could have been a gritty book a lot of fun, which is refreshing.

Death or Glory #1 is a fun start to what can be a high-speed series full of action and charming characters. Remender has created a few wonderful characters, while Bengal injects the life that this series needs to stand out. Despite a few pacing issues, this is a series that any action fan should be sure to try.