I have to say I was actually a bit disappointed in this issue. I guess Matt just wants to remind us of the way that Casanova has influenced the lives of the other characters in the story, but I can’t help but feel that material is just being recycled here. That’s not to say that the issue is ALL recap. It does provide some not before insight into the characters and relevant plot twists. However, another unwanted side effect of the flashbacks to the issues that Gabriel Ba drew is that they make me really miss his artwork. Ba’s artwork was like magic in the first volume of Casanova and its one of the things that made me love the book in the first place. It seems like even Matt Fraction himself is lamenting the fact that Ba moved on to greener pastures in his monthly column at the end of the book. To sum it up, the book is worth a read, but the recap element annoys me a bit and makes me miss Gabriel Ba :(

This is a really fun issue. As Matt hinted in his column at the end of 12, this is the issue in which it all goes to hell in a handbasket. This issue is action packed and I love the way that Fabio Moon illustrates the action sequences. His work especially seems to shine in this issue. That being said, I can’t really say that this is the best example of Matt’s writing, but this is mostly just because the subject matter of the issue doesn’t lend itself to much dialog. All in all its a great issue of Casanova.

Now as somebody who hasn’t read Stephen Kings Dark Tower books, I can’t really say anything about how true the adaptation is to the source material. I can however tell you that this comic is HOT.

First of all the Jae Lee’s artwork in this comic is absolutely stunning. His style is described as gothic in the notes on the inside cover and I think that’s fairly accurate. It also fits perfectly with the universe that King has created. The coloring in this book is especially amazing and the pages really come to life. If you decide to get Gunslinger Born, do get the hardcover, because this book is beautiful and you will want it to stay that way.

The plot is also top notch. Never have I wanted to pick up a Stephen King novel more than after reading this series. Deep, engaging, dark, and brutal are words that I would describe this book. Marvel really pulled this one off amazingly well. It really sucks you in to the universe that King created and I don’t want it to let go!

Guess I’m going to have to go to the library and see if I can snag some of the King books (because you know I’m going to spend all my money buying the comics).