Honestly, I’m not sure how many more issues of The Unwritten I can review before running out of new and clever ways of saying: "it’s f*cking good". Ten issues in, and this book has yet to be shown up by any other book on the Vertigo release schedule. And let me just get this out of the way: The Unwritten #10 features the greatest cover for the series to date, courtesy of regular cover artist Yuko Shimizu. Observe:
Between the horrific blood red colors (Mingus!), a flying cat, and swastikas, how the hell could you pass this book up on the shelf?
That aside, this issue ups the ante and once again raises more questions for Tom and his friends. After escaping Donostia Prison last issue, the gang finds themselves in the middle of Nazi Germany (or is it?…) scrounging around for answers. An interesting thought occurred to me in the midst of this issue: after Governor Chadron’s rebirth as Tommy Taylor villain Count Ambrosio, could it be that perhaps Tom’s current company, journalist Savoy and Lizzie Hexam, are slowly transforming into the fictional Tommy Taylor’s entourage? BOOM. Head explode? Of course, I could be completely wrong; and that’s why reading this series is such a joy.
Peter Gross, Jimmy Broxton and colorist Chris Chuckry really come together as a team in this issue, creating a ghastly rendition of Nazi Germany, using only black, white and gray (and red for swastikas) to color the world Tom has stumbled into, while our main characters are still rendered in normal colors. It’s great imagery that, coupled with Gross’ typically phenomenal pencils, bring a whole new genius to the art side of The Unwritten while retaining familiarity.
Another issue, another flawless reading experience. As if there was any doubt previously, this is Vertigo’s shining light of the new decade.
