Comic Book Review - Revenger: Friendly Fire

Rob reviews Revenger: Friendly Fire...

Created by Warrick Fraser-Coombe, Revenger: Friendly Fire continues the story of Roger Blandy, the psychotic and completely delusional vigilante known as the 'Revenger'. As a cross between The Punisher and Leather-Face, the "adventures" of Roger Blandy aren't for the faint-hearted. Picking up where the last series left off, Blandy is still on the run after brutally murdering a British politician. Now hunted by his former handlers known only as 'The Shadow Constabulary', Blandy also has to contend with his mental instability. 

As I mentioned above, Revenger: Friendly Fire isn't a comic for the faint-hearted. From the get-go, Warrick Fraser-Coombe delves into the horror of his creation with plenty of gratuitous violence. For Roger Blandy, everything is a weapon. Throughout we see him utilise everything from traditional weapons to household keys as he pursues his agenda across the city's streets. It's ultra-violent in a way that makes The Punisher look like an all-ages comic! 

Across this issue, we follow Blandy as he's hunted by both the British government and an unnamed American intelligence agency. As the two agencies stalk Blandy through the streets, he's also attempting to track down those who've done him wrong. Mainly those behind The Shadow Constabulary and Operation Angry Man. As his trail of destruction leads across London, those pulling the strings attempt to bring Blandy under control which leads the Americans into the fray. 

Due to the bloody murder of a surveillance team set up to watch (and infiltrate) Blandy's family, Uncle Sam wants some revenge. This then sees a couple of pretty intense scenes as Blandy shoots his way through a safe-house (in nothing but his signature mask), to then wind up under a pretty extreme interrogation. I won't spoil any more of the story, but it's worth reading a couple of times. More so if like me - you got swept up in the action. 

Even with the vast amounts of brutality Fraser-Coombe crafts a compelling story -  with a heck of a lot of characterisation. As characters go Roger Blandy is pretty complex. On one hand, he's a psychopathic killer, yet on the other, he's a devoted family man - husband and father. This human aide is further explored as Fraser-Coombe also delves into the character's psyche. It doesn't take a lot to see that he's quite an unhinged fellow, yet in a few instances, we do see a sense of vulnerability under the Revenger mask. This also helps to get the reader to feel for Blandy and invest in his mission. Granted he's murdering his way through those who've wronged him, but it's not so dissimilar to what Marvel originally did with Frank Castle.

Artwork is also presented by Fraser-Coombe, who's certainly showing himself as a jack-of-all-trades. Much like his writing, Fraser-Coombe shows his passion for his creation within his artwork. The whole issue is stunning to look at with plenty of mixture between various page layouts, and full page spreads. The characters themselves are also well designed and it's easy to pick out who's who. My only criticism is with the giant Policeman - is he there? Or is he a figment of Blandy's instabilities? Granted it's not a criticism, but it's something that I questioned since his appearance. Anyway...

If you've already read Revenger - or like me having to play catch-up - Revenger: Friendly Fire is a blistering read. For those who like their comics quick and to the point with plenty of bloody violence, then Warrick Fraser-Coombe has you covered with this world. Throw in plenty of incredible art, and a very intriguing narrative, and Revenger: Friendly Fire is a comic I'd find hard to NOT 

 recommend. 

Rating: 9.5/10 

Revenger: Friendly Fire is out now and can be purchased by clicking here. 

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