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Orchid #9 Advance Review

By Andy Frisk
September 2, 2012 - 18:17

In issue #9 of 12 of Orchid, Tom Morello's symbolic and metaphoric protest piece, Orchid (the former prostitute turned rebel leader) leads a special force of Bridge People's army on a mission to assassinate dictator Tomo Wolfe and "the stakes are absolute: freedom or death." With the power of the General China Mask, who's origin is finally revealed, she just might succeed. That is of course if no one betrays her and her cause...

Morello's story of a post-apocalyptic society based upon the power of a city of elites supported by the slave labor of an oppressed society is drawing to its close. It's been a hit and miss affair thus far, even if it thematically honors Morello and his fellow leftist's best political ideals. The best part of this issue is the relation of the mystical origin of Orchid's mask. It's actually quite interesting and poignant.

Scott Hepburn's art is beautifully chaotic and kinetically hectic. It's also violently gory, as the violent conflict of ideals (and flesh and blood) depicted in the story demands. His recreations of the old world before and during the great flood that ended up creating this hellish future world are striking.

I absolutely love the ideals, politics, and motivations behind Orchid, (ideals that appear in a very striking visual manner in every panel quite intelligently) just as much as I admire Morello's politics, but I just wish that his first foray into comic book fiction was a little more grounded in today's world and its present injustices. Perhaps next time out, his story will be. I do really, really hope that Morello writes more comics.

Rating: 6 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12