His mission: find his missing daughter. His assignment: take out Soviet leaders. His companion: a red teddy bear. His weapon: samurai sword. His name: D.B. Cooper.
The Secret History of D.B. Cooper #3
Writer: Brian Churilla
Artist: Brian Churilla
Letterer: Ed Brisson
Designer: Keith Wood
Editor: James Lucas Jones
Publisher: Oni Press
Cover Price: $3.99
Previously in The Secret History of D.B. Cooper: Agent D.B. Cooper continues to travel into the Glut to take out his targets and has yet to fail, even without reading any dossier. After accusing the red teddy bear of being a soviet agent, he reluctantly saves him and they venture off deeper into the Glut. In the real world the doctor explains to Agent Saunders that Cooper’s psyche has splintered due to the drugs, murder, and desire to find his daughter, causing him to be in the Glut and real world at all times.
A SPLINTERED MAN
Just as in the other issues, this opens up with D.B. in the Glut readying to fight a towering monster. And just like the others this monster is the representation of the Soviet target D.B. is sent to assassinate. The great part about this assassination is that D.B. executes it in the Glut while his target is debriefing Soviet leaders about the threat D.B. posses to them. Awesome.
After D.B. completes his mission, Agent Saunders goes to report to the head of Project Oculus about what he has learned of Cooper’s current psychological state. Saunders believes that the project should intermediately be put on hold while they can find a suitable replacement. Secretary Scrimm is hesitant to take such advice, knowing the set backs it will cause, but orders that Cooper be arrested.
This issue is chalk full of revealing plot points, starting right at the beginning. Before Cooper carries out his assassination a Soviet official lets it be known that they have their own agent working inside the Glut as well as inside the CIA. Also during the initial fight the monster is able to snap Cooper’s fingers in both realms, a feat that Doctor Aubry didn’t believe possible. There are even more shocking moments, but I’m sure that I would be arrested for ruining those for you.
MAN OF MANY TALENTS
As good as the story has been the art has been just as fantastic. With the different worlds D.B. Cooper takes place in Brian has been able to show off just how proficient in the art department he is. In the Glut the monsters are both frightening and disgusting with action that is well paced and engrossing. In the real world characters’ emotions are clearly depicted through their faces which makes simple dialogue scenes easy to stop and just stare at.
BOTTOM LINE: BOTTOM LINE: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
If you have yet to read this issue, or the previous two, please run to you local comic book shop or download them from your app of choice and get to reading! Brian Churilla is setting the standard for creator owned books, and he is setting it high. With art complementing the solid story telling this issue is worthy of multiple reads. The Secret History of D.B. Cooper #3 deserves nothing less than 5 out of 5 stars. I beg you go read this.
[rating: 5/5]