Comic Review: Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated #4

Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated #4

AfterShock Comics

Writer: Patrick Kindlon

Artist: Stefano Simeone

A storm is brewing in the Caucasus Superstore. Both above and below, factions vie for control, fortune, revenge, or just the end. And the key to everyone’s success lies in loss prevention specialist Nussbaum. With its penultimate issue, Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated sets up the climax. I only hope it can cover everything its established.

At this point, I’m fully invested in this book and its nightmarish chain store world. There are strong moments like Nussbaum being held captive by a hermit with a narrow view of wisdom but a strong taste in interior design. Mr. Provo’s “Right to Die” program reaches completion and continues to be the most emotional, memorable, and darkly comedic storyline of Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated. It verges on the edge of being tasteless but it hammers the social commentary on rampant consumerism better than anything else in the book.

Otherwise, there are too many crises surrounding Nussbaum. All the rival factions would be overbearing in general but it’s a worrying development when you consider only one issue remains. Certain plotlines are stronger than others and none of them are particularly bad. However, it just feels like too much to resolve in the short time they have.

Nussbaum, the corrupted, empty heart of Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated, remains strong. He’s now taking a more direct role in the story, as he’s the key to every plan’s success. And perhaps their failure as well. Nussbaum’s backstory is also revealed in a bizarre plot point, though it’s not incongruous with the weird, mostly metaphorical setting of Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated.

Stefano Simeone’s art remains the highlight of the book. It maintains the high quality of previous issues but with a few standout moments. The narration covering Nussbaum’s past is a little generic but elevated by the surprisingly heavy images Simeone pairs it with. The two page spread creating a swirling montage of Nussbaum’s horrific career might very well be my favorite visual to come from this book.

I’m excited to see the ending of Shoplifters Will Be Liquidated and whether Nussbaum can be saved. Or if anyone in this cutthroat, performative world can. The excess of plotlines is concerning me but with the protagonist back in the spotlight, I think things are back on track. More importantly, the creative team hasn’t given me reason to doubt them yet and I can easily see a sequel series in store for the Caucasus Superstore and everyone unlucky enough to live in it.

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